I know I need way more sapphic book recommendations – so give them to me! – but this has got to be my all time favorite one so far. Not including Cinderella is Dead obviously. I just could not get over the way that Dani and Carmen developed into what they ended up being at the end of this novel and I just felt so freaking happy! It actually reminded me of me and my best friend so I had a soft spot for it.

It definitely hurt me in a good way, but also a little bit of a bad way because of how sirens were treated. And of course since it’s supposed to reflect how Black women are treated in the real world, I felt that in my soul. It was like reading about myself, and having to constantly defend my actions when I didn’t even do anything but exist. It’s freaking tiring, fam. So this hurt, because I felt it all.

Daisuki and Okame!! I totally cheated and put two characters, but whatever. It’s my tag, I can do what I want! But seriously I was just so freaking impressed that they were still helping Yumeko with her quest even though they could have ditched her a long time ago. And even though Okame is supposed to be a ronin and have no honor, I feel like he was one of the most honorable characters in this book.

There were certain things in this novel that just didn’t make sense to me. Actually in all three novels since I got to listen to the whole trilogy. I thought it would be explained later on, but I honestly don’t remember that happening. I think the siren lore in this one too was a little convoluted to me as well so I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I wanted to. Just not for me, I guess.

I don’t remember if I finished this series – which I do remember saying in another tag that I did – but I need this back in my life. Like, I don’t care that these are old and that this is not even good tier level writing anymore. It was good for me, and it brings back so much memories. I loved the girls in this series so I really, really want to read this whole series. Or reread it… Something.

I could see me living in Ziran, and seriously I loved the world that Brown created in this novel. I can’t wait for the sequel, even though it means the series is ending. I think one of my favorite things about this novel was the Kingdom of Ziran, and everything about the Solstasia Festival. It was just super good, go read it.

I. absolutely HATED. Saengo’s cousin who’s name is escaping me right now. You know the name. I just forget the name right now but I DON’T CARE I HATE HIM SO MUCH! What a freaking asshole. Great job, Lori for creating a character that I literally hate so much, and I appreciated not seeing him very much in this novel lol. Oh my gosh I wanted to kick his ass.

It’s a very loose retelling of the story of Anastasia Romanov, but I am still including it because I cannot get enough of this book! I loved it so much, and I am so waiting to see how the next two books are going to be like. I can’t wait to read more books from Wen Zhao as well! One of my favorite authors for sure. And the way that Wen Zhao made this story her own was super great too, so I’m all for it.