Back to A’landi in another adventure with Maia Tamarin; this time it goes a bit action-filled with more emotional heartbreaks and thrills following Maia in her mission to undo the curse of Bandur who has slowly eaten her soul with his demon threat. It started so tense with Maia having to deal with the imperial wedding when Lady Sarnai suddenly fallen ill and almost got killed due to one of the Amana dresses. Conflict arises and the tension getting more spiteful in between Emperor Khanujin and the shansen of north. A war is set for the throne and Maia knows this is her only chance to bring peace for the land before she started to lose her magic and mind for Bandur.
The struggle was too real this time with all the chaos and messy super rushed plot because of the heightened political conflict. More development for the other characters esp Lady Sarnai and Ammi; love their interactions with Maia although at times it feels like I can’t trust Lady Sarnai that much. Edan was only appeared nearly in the middle so more dynamic for Maia throughout this journey with her vivid musings and anticipation; of hatred, fear and worries either to fight or willingly possessed by the daunting touch of the calling demon.
“I had the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars with me; three pieces of magic as old as the world itself… fate intervened to remind me I couldn’t escape my destiny.”
More backstory to the magical scissors and its told legends (I like the legend of god-demons in chapter 31) also that glimpse of chinese myth on red strings of fate that enthrallingly captured the connection of Maia and Edan. The war scenes really hooked me with its intense battles and Maia’s gripping dynamic— love how the author managed to pull an impressive worldbuilding that engagingly complement the terror of power crisis and a wicked demon narrative.
Loving the last 3 chapters too much (was a bit scared at first, honestly) and I think it was so well crafted to wrap the end to the duology. A spellbinding and culture-rich adventure overall, just like Six Crimson Cranes duology; this duology too did not disappoint me at all.
4.3/5 stars!