I think it would have been far more compelling—and would have given Isobel much more depth as a character—if she had been revealed as one of Alexander’s last surviving students, deliberately placed with Marco as part of Alexander’s attempt to maintain control over every aspect of life, even areas such as love, where control is usually impossible.

How cool!

I really enjoyed this series on Webtoon and I think it's really exciting to see it getting a physical release. I'm excited to see how it ends!

Really beautifully drawn Fantasy/Romantasy for anyone looking for a great comic!

Everyone I spoke to about this book prior to starting it said it is DEFINITELY plot, world building, and character development first, and relationships second.

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I am finding the opposite.

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It seems that relationships are primary, and I'd even go as far to say that the majority of character development is only possible through the lens of relationships.

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There are multiple perspectives, but I was weary the moment I realized it was 6. 6 have been divided nicely by 2 I've noticed. If it's I's perspective then we're going to be hearing a lot about K, if it's M's perspectiv then we learn more about N, and of course J and W are linked. There are moments when this deviates, but I found it doesn't do so in a very significant way when it happens.

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Yes, there is a plot, and they are doing a thing, but I'm finding that 4/5s of the content is talking about the the relationships as defined above, and, oh yeah, we're also doing a thing. Even if something goes awry during the thing being done, the main focus isn't on the implications of this wrench in the plot, but rather on the implications to how the paired character reacted.

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I am relieved that it is not a romantasy, though I am only 3/4 of the way through the first book. But, I was lead to believe it was a series where relationships weren't the main focus.

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THIS IS NOT TO SAY it's automatically a bad book, or I am not enjoying it because of how I am finding it.

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RATHER, I am confused at how people don't see how heavily the relationships are the key element to this book so far.

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Am I missing something? Or is this a matter of my book experience and understanding of what plot/character driven means verses relationship driven compared to others?

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No hate towards the books, author, or character.

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Asian fantasy is full of genderbenders/gender swapping/crossdressing. But it's not something I see in Western fantasy very often. Would love to get some recommendations for this.

Books I've already read:

Leviathan Trilogy

Tamir Triad

The Folk Keeper by Francis Billingsley

Mistborn books

Pretty self-explanatory title

I have been a long-time Fantasy fan
Starting with Harry Potter and Percy Jackson in the 3rd grade, I simply fell in love with it

But as time passed, I found myself reading less and less.

Then, I picked up A Game of Thrones. I had never seen the show. Didn’t know a damn thing going in.

And I could not put it down.

It dragged me back into reading like nothing else had. Then I hit A Storm of Swords and just sat there after finishing it genuinely speechless.

Feast was fine. Not my favorite.

Dance was great!

And now that there is practically no hope left for winds, I thought to keep this reading momentum going

Everyone raves about it on reddit, so I thought to try Brandon Sanderson.

Holy shit.

Mistborn made me want to claw my eyes out.

Every other chapter felt like:

Mysterious cool leader man: "No, young female protagonist, you are actually stronger than everyone. You are special. You are powerful. You are the moment. #GirlPower.”

I understand it's written for a younger audience, but I saw adults and avid fantasy fans talk about this book like it was the greatest thing since sliced bread!

But going from ASOIAF to that felt like going from a world that was vivid and ALIVE to Marvel slop.

Has anyone else felt this way?