Book Review

Crimson Qi

Most writers struggle with writing a genre that requires research either because they aren't able to dedicate time to it or they're scared of offending someone or a group of people. As writers, you shouldn't be afraid to express yourself because at the end of the day, it's your story and only you can decide how it's told. If you're really concerned about how you portraying someone or a group of individuals, add a disclaimer or conduct a little research on your own.

Research can be a great way to learn about other cultures and it can even spark interest in trips to other countries if you're an avid traveler. Since Wattpad recently introduced Special Services to the forums, you no longer have to be afraid about searching through unreliable or invalid sources on Google or any other search engine. You can simply make a thread, wishing to connect with writers, or readers, that know more about the topics you need more information on. This is a great way to receive personalized information and first-hand experience from individuals that may know more about those particular topics and you may make some new friends along the way!

Crimson Qi by DomiSotto is a good example of what good can come from patient and honest research. A lot of care goes into how each character presents themselves, how they appear to others and the readers, as well as any significant events or elements of the time period of their inspiration. Although the story is heavily influenced by Ancient China, there is a lot of originality that goes into the world of the Tiandi Realm and its characters.

Each character is created with such intricacy and passion that you can't help but want to know how their fates by the time you reach the end of the story. Luckily, DomiSotto does just that by providing three wonderful epilogues to some important characters, so you don't have to worry about what happens to who.

Chen Tien Lyn is a young woman of noble blood that works towards finding her place in society all while clashing with some of the most powerful people of the Evershining Empire. Tien Lyn is someone that thinks beyond what's reflected on the surface and proves time and time again that she's a survivor. Despite her subservience towards her mother, she becomes a likable character that the reader will come to love and appreciate as the novel progresses.

In addition to Tien Lyn's hardships, there is some comedic relief provided by notable characters such as Han Zheng and Won. These characters may be rough around the edges but it would be impossible to fully appreciate the story if they didn't exist. They're truly a special asset to the story and will have you laughing at their foolish banter and inner monologues.

Title: 5/5 The title suits the story perfectly and is definitely one of a kind!

Cover: 5/5 The cover is absolutely beautiful, the red and the black complement each other in an eye-catching manner. It also really helps set the mood and tone of the novel.

Blurb: 5/5 The blurb is short, sweet, and to the point. Readers will immediately understand what to expect in this detailed novel and respect the amount of effort put forth by the author. The mention of magic and mythical creatures alone will be enough to capture your interest as it certainly did for me!

Plot: 5/5 The plot is very enchanting, it's nearly impossible to deduce what storyline you wouldn't want to follow because DomiSotto weaves all of the narratives together in a seemingly effortless manner.

Pacing: 5/5 Pacing is often something that most readers struggle with but not for DomiSotto. The book constantly had me on the edge of my seat, even during the stagnant scenes.

Character Development: 5/5 Even though Tien Lyn may come off as timid in the beginning of the novel, I found that I was able to relate to this character on varying levels. She becomes a person that I aspire to be, one filled with confidence and unafraid to speak their mind freely without fear of repercussions. She is definitely one of those characters that I deeply sympathize with throughout the novel and her perspective was one of my favorites to tear through.

As I was reading through Crimson Qi, I couldn't help but get some Ashes of Love vibes, one of my favorite Chinese dramas! Because of this, I was able to thoroughly enjoy the story and I tore through the book page by page during my morning and evening commutes to work. She does a great job with incorporating factual information within her own fantastical world, showing her appreciation for Chinese culture and Asian Fantasy as a whole.

Within this story, readers can get a little bit of everything: action, drama, tragedy, romance, and even comedy. It's one of those treasures worth capturing!

Happy reading!

LuliWrites - Team of Dreams