Review Detail

When I first saw the cover, I was immediately captivated by its stunning design! As soon as I read the synopsis, I was hooked. A girl disguising herself as a man to enter an engineer's guild trial and solve her father's murder? As I started this book, the vibes I got reminded me of Poppy War, another story where a young girl wants to prove she can do precisely what men can. With this kind of story, you are on the edge of your seat, just waiting for them to be discovered and for it all to be over. Ying is an exceptional character. Intelligent, headstrong, and fiercely determined to uncover the mystery behind her father's death, she carries the story beautifully. Alongside her, the two male leads, Ye-Yang and Ye-Kan, were intriguing, even though they didn't have as much focus in this book. Their dynamic as friendly academic rivals added a great layer to the story, and I hope to see more of them in book 2.
The Asian fantasy setting combined with a steampunk atmosphere was a perfect backdrop for the tale. It felt fresh and immersive, providing a unique twist to the familiar Mulan narrative.
Audiobook Review: The chosen narrator did a great job, and I could fall into this story and be involved in the book while still getting adult things done. I also appreciated that the narrator knew how the names should be pronounced, so I got the authentic sound to accompany the beautiful story.