#BookReview: The Girl King (The Girl King #1) by Mimi Yu

Title: The Girl King

Series: The Girl King, #1
Author: Mimi Yu
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: Hardcover, 481
Published: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Rating: 3 ⭐⭐⭐

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Synopsis:  In an empire of flames, they must rise from the ashes.

Sisters Lu and Min have always known their places as the princesses of the Empire of the First Flame: assertive Lu, will be named her father's heir and become the dynasty's first female ruler, while timid Min will lead a quiet life in Lu's shadow. Until their father names a new heir—their male cousin, Set.

Determined to reclaim her birthright, Lu goes in search of allies, leaving Min to face the volatile court alone. Lu soon crosses paths with Nokhai, the lone, unlikely survivor of a clan of nomadic wolf shapeshifters. Nok never learned to shift—or to trust for the empire that killed his family—but working with Lu might be the only way to unlock his true power.

As Lu and Nok form a tenuous alliance, Min's own power awakens, a forbidden magic that could secure Set's reign . . . or allow her to claim the throne herself. But there can only be one emperor, and the sisters' greatest enemy could very well be the other.

This sweeping fantasy set against a world of ancient magic and political intrigue weaves an unforgettable story of ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice.

About the Author: Mimi Yu was born and raised in rural upstate New York. She is an alumna of VONA/Voices. She received a BA in liberal arts from Sarah Lawrence College and an MFA from the New School/Parsons School of Design. She currently resides in Chicagoland with her husband. When she's not writing, she enjoys gardening, quilting, boxing, and fostering kittens. She has five cats, one dog, and four planets in Aquarius.

www.mimiyu.info
@baby_ajumma 
Instagram: baby_ajumma

My Review: This sister centered title was just as good as I thought it could have been.  I really didn't connect with anyone and it was fairly on the boring side.  This one made me feel like Three Dark Crowns did where I really didn't like any of the sisters and the entire twist and plot was pretty guessable.  I think some people will love this one but I just was not one of those people.  

Go Into This One Knowing: Slow, Sister Oriented

“[A] masterful blend of Asian history with a touch of fantasy. . . . Yu crafts a rich tale filled with detailed world-building that draws readers in. This mainly female-led ambitious adventure will appeal to fans of Graceling by Kristin Cashore and The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi.” ―School Library Journal, starred review

“[W]ith its Asia-inspired worldbuilding, lush descriptions, and a weighty sense of history, this sprawling fantasy is . . . a strong debut.” ―Publishers Weekly

“A fast-paced, seamless fantasy adventure full of action, mysticism, and female empowerment.” ―Booklist

“Recommended for readers who enjoy imperfect characters and complex plots.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“An absolutely fantastic tale of legends, magic and destiny, The Girl King kept the pages turning. The myths are awesome, the heroes are unsinkable, and the antagonists are chock-full of twisted agendas. If you're down with dangerous magic, clans of shapeshifters, and worthy girls who somehow STILL need to prove their worth, then you will love this as much as I did.” ―Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series

“The Girl King is an intricate, richly crafted fantasy that will draw you in and keep you guessing to the last stunning battle.” ―Heidi Heilig, author of THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE and THE SHIP BEYOND TIME

“Fierce and unforgettable, The Girl King is an epic fantasy of tremendous lyrical power; that rare novel that leaves you breathless, as though your dreams and heart are bigger than your body. There's no greater pleasure than to find a novel that makes you feel more alive--Mimi Yu has that gift of magic.” ―Marjorie Liu, New York Times bestselling author and Hugo Award winner for MONSTRESS

“The Girl King is a delight! Yu draws the reader in to a new and intriguing fantasy world with fascinating characters and deft storytelling. I want the next installment!” ―Cindy Pon, author of WANT and SERPENTINE

“This action-packed epic fantasy engrossed me from the first page. Lu is a heroine for the ages!” ―Julie C. Dao, author of FOREST OF A THOUSAND LANTERNS

“Everything I want in a high fantasy. Yu draws fluently from history to create an exquisite world, brings it to life with gorgeous and atmospheric prose, and populates it with fascinating characters. . . I can't wait to see what this very talented author does next.” ―Samantha Shannon, New York Times bestselling author of THE BONE SEASON

 

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Posted in: 3 Stars, Bloomsbury, Review, Young Adult