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Descendant of the Crane
Descendant of the Crane | Joan He
"Tyrants cut out hearts. Rulers sacrifice their own." Princess Hesina of Yan has always been eager to shirk the responsibilities of the crown, but when her beloved father is murdered, she's thrust into power, suddenly the queen of an unstable kingdom. Determined to find her father's killer, Hesina does something desperate: she engages the aid of a soothsayer--a treasonous act, punishable by death... because in Yan, magic was outlawed centuries ago. Using the information illicitly provided by the sooth, and uncertain if she can trust even her family, Hesina turns to Akira--a brilliant and alluring investigator who's also a convicted criminal with secrets of his own. With the future of her kingdom at stake, can Hesina find justice for her father? Or will the cost be too high? In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.
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Branwen
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Happy Christmas Eve! ❤️💚❤️💚❤️

AND HAPPY JOLABOKAFLOD DAY! 📚💕📚💕📚

Oh my goodness, thank you SO MUCH Kerri! I'm super excited about the book, the chocolate, AND the hot chocolate! Best day ever! 💕 Thank you so much!

@Kshakal @MaleficentBookDragon #jolabokaflod #jolabokaflodswap

Kshakal You‘re very welcome!! Enjoy! 1y
53 likes1 comment
review
PuddleJumper
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Mehso-so

This was a very plodding book. It just meander it's way through court intrigue, a murder mystery, family drama, and didn't give enough substance or interest to any of the plots

I was disappointed because the cover is beautiful and the blurb sounded exciting

shanaqui That's disappointing, 'cause this really does look amazing. 2y
PuddleJumper @shanaqui It's not a bad book, it just didn't live up to my expectations. Maybe if it had a mediocre cover I wouldn't have been as disappointed 😅 2y
batsy I felt the same. A book that didn't live up to its compelling cover and description. 2y
27 likes3 comments
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LaurelChandler

"Broken skin could heal. Maybe even hearts. Not trust."

This book is breaking my heart ???

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LaurelChandler

"Anger is a form of confidence... A hope that the ones we admire will change for the better."

So many good quotes in this book!

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LaurelChandler

"Missing some people was like missing air. You did yourself no favors by wondering how you survived without them."

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LaurelChandler
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Starting this beauty today! Have you read it? What do you think? (No spoiler please 😊)

#amreading #ireadya #yafantasy #standalone

Book_tangled No, but the title looks great. Might have to check it out! 3y
LaurelChandler @Book_tangled I like it so far! 3y
Rayleigh_LitAp I loved this book so much 😭 I listened to it on audio and highly recommend it if you like audiobooks! 2y
LaurelChandler @Rayleigh_LitAp I'll have to try audio! Thanks 😊 2y
4 likes1 stack add4 comments
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TheReadingReceptionist
Pickpick

I actually really enjoyed it 🔥🔥🔥 i could relate to the main character a lot

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thegreentealibrarian

Took a nap and now I'm back! #readathon

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thegreentealibrarian
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I snoozed the first hour, got ready in the 2nd, and here I am with my latte and first book going into the 3rd! 😊#readathon

12 likes1 stack add
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Soubhiville
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Mehso-so

Isn‘t this a lovely cover? I fell in love with it.

The story within contains political and mystical intrigue, with a family drama, mystery, and magic.

I wish there had been a bit more about the magical aspects, as I thought that was the most interesting part.

Overall an entertaining read, but nothing that‘s going to really stick with me.

tracey38 Oooh, I do like cover! 4y
63 likes1 comment
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Throwback to this time last year when I was reading this on my lunch break at work... I‘m heading back into work on Monday and it‘s a little bit terrifying...

Bookwormjillk Good luck 🤞 4y
Sace You've got this! 4y
BookishBelle I hear ya! My fiancé goes back Monday. It is a little terrifying. I‘ll likely go back next week too. Though I haven‘t heard for sure yet. Hang in there! 4y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @BookishBelle, to you as well! I know it‘s going to get easier but still not really ready 4y
BookishBelle Thanks! That‘s true! 4y
62 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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Addison_Reads
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Mehso-so

Look at this cover! 💚

I wish I had loved the story as much as I did the cover. The plot was intriguing with a little mystery, murder, and soothsayers. Sadly though, it just never came together for me.

BookishGirl06 I couldn‘t get into it either 4y
marleed That cover is gorgeous! 4y
Texreader The cover is magnificent! 4y
batsy I felt the same about this! 4y
42 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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Rayleigh_LitAp
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Pickpick

Descendant of the Crane is the most well-done, sibling centered, Fantasy that I have ever read! I would say that it even rivals the dynamics of the Pevensie children in C.S Lewis‘ The Chronicles of Narnia.

What‘s your favorite sibling oriented book?

#dynamicsiblings #siblings #politics #drama #fantasy #China #audiobook #SpotifyAudiobooks

13 likes1 stack add
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alysonimagines
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My #bookhaul from today‘s trip to Lark & Owl Booksellers (in charming Georgetown, TX)!🦉📚Been curious about both of these titles. Really enjoying the special treat of my Lark & Owl gift certificate—I feel like a millionaire every time I walk in there and oh so casually walk out with a brand new hardcover or two. 🤩🤩🤩 #hardcoversareatreat

Julsmarshall I love that bookstore! I may be popping by tomorrow 😄 4y
alysonimagines @Julsmarshall Nice! It‘s such a beautiful store, I love it too. Especially love that it‘s 100% women-owned! 💋👊 4y
17 likes2 comments
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IhoardBOOKS
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Pickpick

I‘m a ball of rage and fight me at the ending of this book. I love how so many characters are not heroes but also not villains. They‘re people with their own agendas, ones I don‘t agree with but can see... kinda. Looking at 2 people in particular. 👀
I have so many feels, and I love this book so, so much.#JoanHe is a beautiful writer and I hope to see Hesina and the rest of the characters again some day because their story is not done. Not yet.

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IhoardBOOKS
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This is a really good read so far. It‘s very much a political intrigue which I‘ll admit I have to be in the right mood for sometimes, but so far this is working for me very well. The narrator is very enjoyable too.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Reread time!

umbrellagirl Sounds fab! Love the cover too. 4y
JazzFeathers How did you like this? I've heard contrasting opinions about it 🤔 4y
SassenachTheBookWizard @JazzFeathers I adore it. I want a sequel 4y
72 likes4 stack adds3 comments
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emmaturi
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Day 24 - #fallisbooked, I don't have a favorite autumn drink, but I do like a cappucino in the morning!

30 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Sharanya
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First of all, I just found out kindle has a new feature on its phone app that turns quotes into images like this?! Perfect for littens 😍.

Second of all, this book I‘m #currentlyreading is chock full of philosophical discussion/debate in the midst of a murder mystery/political upheaval situation & I 👏🏽 AM 👏🏽 1000 👏🏽 PERCENT 👏🏽 HERE 👏🏽 FOR 👏🏽 IT.

Cinfhen Whoa!!! That‘s so awesome 😎 5y
Sharanya @Cinfhen right?! 5y
11 likes2 comments
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Sharanya
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#currentlyreading | “What is truth? Scholars seek it. Poets write it. Good kings pay gold to hear it. But in trying times, truth is the first thing we betray.”

Oh, this is gonna be good.

11 likes1 stack add
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Soubhiville
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#7days7covers #covercrush Day 4

Posting covers I love for 7 days, no explanation needed. Tagging someone to play each day.

@Morr_Books would you like to play?

TrishB Gorgeous ♥️ 5y
Leftcoastzen ❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Nute Gosh! Lovely!! 5y
See All 8 Comments
LeahBergen So pretty! 5y
Morr_Books I would love to play! Do I just post cool book covers for 7 days? 5y
sudi Pretty 😍 5y
Soubhiville @Morr_Books yes, that‘s all! Copy the hashtags and include similar text, and if you want to, tag someone new each day 😊 5y
DivineDiana Beautiful! 5y
72 likes1 stack add8 comments
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robinb
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#7Days7Covers #CoverCrush Day 3

@BookNAround , would you like to play? Post 7 book covers that you love over 7 days, with no explanation.

Tag a new Litten each day to play along. 😊

@gradcat @GrilledCheeseSamurai , @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled

GrilledCheeseSamurai That's a beauty foooor sure! 🤩 5y
gradcat Wow! Everybody‘s posting these Asian covers that are sooo beautiful! Did you see @squirrelbrain ‘s post? 5y
squirrelbrain Love this one! 💕 5y
See All 7 Comments
robinb @gradcat Just went there...gorgeous!! ❤️ 5y
KathyWheeler What a gorgeous cover! 5y
robinb @KathyWheeler I think I could just sit and stare at it for hours...😍 5y
BarbaraBB Wow! 5y
67 likes2 stack adds7 comments
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mangokittty
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I was hesitant to start this for some reason, but now that I have I'm really enjoying it.

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monogamist_reader
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Panpan

2/5 ⭐. It has a very slow start, you get into the story or some sort of action only after page 80. This is supposed to be a stand alone but the ending felt so inconclusive. It was quite disappointing. There is a very interesting world building here, but all the intricate politics in the plot are left unexplained and characters are not developed at all. 😞

#ireadya #yafantasy #bookworm

batsy Agree with your points. I found it a letdown, too. 5y
monogamist_reader @batsy glad im not alone ! 5y
24 likes2 comments
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TheBookStacker
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Very similar cover art. Starting the one on the left first since the right is a trilogy.

41 likes1 stack add
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MartinaLove
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I love this book so far. I'm almost at 150 pages read.
The problem is, I'm a little bit tired of fantasies.
I keep thinking about reading a thriller/mystery/horror. My mind keeps going there. Nevermind the fact that I'm currently reading 6 different fantasies 😂🤣📚❤

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Soubhiville
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Thank you for the birthday book Harper! @CoffeeNBooks This sounds so good, and I think it‘s one of the prettiest covers of the year! I cant wait to read it 💜
#JB

Davor I love the cover 5y
BiblioLitten The cover is very pretty! ♥️🖤 5y
mcipher That‘s gorgeous! 5y
74 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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MartinaLove
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1. Finale
2. The Bear In The Nightingale
3. I have so many. 🙈 The Descendant of the Crane, Wicked Saints, Sorcery of Thorns, Ninth House and The Dragon Republic.
4. Yes, I want to read 60 books. I'm not doing great. I only read 18 books so far.
5. I tag all of you!

JanuarieTimewalker13 I‘m accepting that tag!!😀 5y
6 likes1 comment
review
razmanda
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Pickpick

Wow! This is a densely layered fantasy novel that follows a princess in the days and months after her father‘s death which looks more and more like a massive conspiracy. There are a ton of reveals, especially in the last 50 pages and the epilogue, and in retrospect, they all make click into place. I can only assume there will be a sequel or two, and I‘ll be first in line to read them.

18 likes1 stack add
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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
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Must my lunch break end?

akckitty I've been wanting to read this one :) 5y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @akckitty, I‘ve had to put it aside to power through some other books for work... but I‘m keen to get back to it! 5y
87 likes5 stack adds2 comments
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mdemanatee
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Not watching GOT but still enjoying some fantastical courtly politics.

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Merethebookgal
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Pickpick

What a nice change from a standard YA Fantasy! This book has an interesting mix of politics, religion, and world building. The pacing is a bit slow, but I really enjoyed it, and some of the twists took me by surprise, which was nice! I‘m looking forward to book two! (Also, the cover is freakin‘ gorgeous 😍)

hermyknee So gorgeous! 5y
CouronneDhiver Very pretty cover, yes! 5y
77 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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BookishGirl06
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Bailedbailed

100 pages in and this just feels boring, not terribly great. I was looking forward to this too.

valeriegeary Too bad because this cover is great! 5y
Cailey_Mac I felt like the story should‘ve been different based on my assumptions of the cover 5y
DuckOfDoom Mehhh... One of the only YA books I bought recently. Now I think it will stand on the shelf a while :/ 5y
BooknerdsLife Ah! That‘s too bad :( really love that cover art 5y
91 likes4 comments
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BookishGirl06
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Starting this is as well. I really like the cover art

BiblioLitten Oh me too! 💛 5y
robinb It is a beautiful cover! ❤️ I‘ve read that one...hope you enjoy! 5y
Smrloomis That cover is spectacular! 🧡 5y
98 likes6 stack adds3 comments
review
The_Heeler_Booklife
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Pickpick

Release Date-4/9/19
Rating: 5/5 Stars
This book has many elements that I love-political intrigue, fantasy/magic, and a mystery. I could not put this down and was intrigued by the world building, the characters, the royals, and by the mystery that surrounded this book. This is beautifully written and very well done. You will not be disappointed. One of my favorites of 2019!
#botm #bookstagram #bibliophile #kindle #arc #netgalley #litsy #littens

30 likes1 stack add
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LibrarianRyan
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This title is all over Twitter. Apparently international pre orders with book depository were canceled. But the publisher is working on it.

I can not decide if I like the cover or not. I think I need to see a really copy instead of just a screen grab.

April 9

#CoverLove. #YAedition

SaturnDoo Nope don't care for this cover either. 😂 5y
LibrarianRyan @SaturnDoo part of me can not decide. If it is as flat as the pictures then no. But if they do texture, embossing, and shine just right it could be phenomenal. Like a real screen. 5y
DGRachel I think it‘s gorgeous and would buy it just for the cover, but I love Oriental fabrics, especially with cranes. 5y
47 likes3 comments
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Liberty
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On top of recommending MIRACLE CREEK for Book of the Month this month, I had the pleasure of endorsing a YA novel and OMG *flaps arms like a bird* IT‘S SO GOOD! I love royalty and political intrigue in fantasy - two great tastes that taste great together! (📸 by BOTM) 📚❤️📚

BlameJennyJane I can‘t wait for Miracle Creek to arrive. It shipped today! You‘ve got jam up taste! 👊🏼 5y
101 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
Emory
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this story. So many twists and turns!

I posted a full review for on my blog if you want to check it out. :) https://emreadseverything.com/2019/03/22/descendant-of-the-crane-by-joan-he-revi...

94 likes3 stack adds
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batsy
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Mehso-so

I wanted to enjoy this YA fantasy steeped in Chinese culture, history, & lore. Yet while I liked those aspects, the writing left a lot to be desired. It's a debut novel so I feel bad, but it reads like a writer wanting to be taken very seriously: quite a bit of ponderous, sober, dour pontificating about duty, rule, & the nature of power. The characters, alas, are interchangeable & unmemorable. Needed some wit, humour, or *something*. #netgalley

merelybookish The cover is pretty! 5y
rubyslippersreads Too bad, because the cover is gorgeous. 5y
batsy @merelybookish @rubyslippersreads Such a pretty cover 😍 The details and the worldbuilding are nice, but not enough to sustain a memorable story, imo. 5y
See All 8 Comments
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 5y
Kalalalatja Good to know! I could have been fooled by the cover 5y
rwmg That's a pity. I was considering it based on the cover in your last post 5y
batsy @TrishB Thank you 😘 5y
batsy @Kalalalatja @rwmg Don't want to put anyone off it; quite a number of good reviews on Goodreads :) But personally for me the book didn't live up to the cover/premise. 5y
91 likes8 comments
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robinb
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Mehso-so

Mixed feelings here. If you enjoy Chinese fantasy with lots of complicated political intrigue this might be for you. While the princess-turned-queen is billed as strong and determined, I sometimes found her weak and struggling to keep up. To be fair, she IS young. There‘s racism, treason, and quite a few twists with the ending leading to possible sequels. It also felt a bit over long to me. Some will enjoy, I‘m sadly ambivalent. 3/5⭐️ Out 4/2 ⬇️

robinb I will add that the author here is fairly young (she began writing this in 2013 which was her senior year in high school). This is also her debut novel. (edited) 5y
50 likes1 comment
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Emory
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Starting the day off with tea and a few pages of this book. It's picking up now and I don't want to put it down!

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Emory
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Got approved for this on Netgalley so I'll be sneaking pages while I work today.

BooksAtNight I am so jealous! I‘ve heard nothing but good things about the book. Hope you enjoy it! 5y
Becker The cover is so beautiful 5y
76 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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robinb
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This YA Fantasy is up next...and oooooh, that cover!🧡🧡🧡

#coverlove
#NetGalley
#AlbertWhitmanandCo

Kalalalatja 😍😍😍 5y
LeahBergen Pretty! 5y
robinb @Kalalalatja @LeahBergen I know, right??! 😊👍 (edited) 5y
See All 6 Comments
Cathythoughts Brilliant cover 5y
wordzie 😍 5y
57 likes6 comments
review
SassenachTheBookWizard
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Pickpick

Oh hell yes to this whole book! I had absolutely no damn clue who was good or evil for 99% of this book and the mystery murder freaking GOT ME! The characters are so well developed and there's so much "who done it" on the entire cast of like 12 characters! I did NOT see the lineage reveal! The internal politics were so well developed but not info dumping. I freaking NEED the sequel! So bad! I was like panting for the last 1/2 of the book!

KerriNTurner Gorgeous cover too! 5y
TotoroReads I love this cover! Haven‘t opened the app in ages but this being one of the first things I see make me regret my absence 5y
126 likes21 stack adds2 comments
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SassenachTheBookWizard
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I was gonna start reading a different printed off unbound arc but I accidentally dropped it and then found out the pages weren't numbered so...I'll deal with that later and start this baby instead. I'm so hopefully about this one!

OnlyYoo Aesthetic af 5y
Shley9225 That sucks! 5y
BookmarkTavern Oh this looks beautiful! 😍 5y
88 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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IndyHannaJones

There are so many books coming out based on Asian folklore/culture and I am here for it.

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kate_reads
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Why is it so cold 🥶

Jennick2004 Because your jeans are ripped? 🤣😉 jk jk 💜 5y
26 likes2 comments