inspiredbyhelena

[inspiredbyhelena]

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Review of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas – A Slow Burn that Builds a Rich World

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

Review:

A Court of Thorns and Roses is the first book in Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses series, and it’s clear why this book has captivated so many readers. Maas creates a rich and immersive world full of fae courts, magic, and danger. The world-building is incredibly detailed, and the concept of the fae realm is fascinating.

However, this level of detail also makes the pacing slow, especially in the first half of the book. The plot takes its time to pick up, and I found myself getting frustrated as the story seemed to drag on without much development. The world-building, while interesting, overshadowed the actual plot for a long time. It wasn’t until I was about halfway through the book that things started to get more engaging, and by then, I felt like I had been waiting a bit too long for the action to really begin.

Additionally, the ending, while impactful, felt abrupt given the slower pacing of the rest of the book. After all the world-building and character development, the climax didn’t quite land as I had hoped, and it left me feeling like the story didn’t quite wrap up as fully as it could have.

While I enjoyed the overall premise and the characters, the slow pacing and sudden ending kept me from fully connecting with the story. I’m intrigued enough to continue the series, but I hope the pacing picks up in the next books.

Would I recommend this book?

If you’re a fan of slow-burn fantasy with heavy world-building, you may enjoy this book. However, if you prefer faster-paced plots, be prepared for a slower start and a somewhat abrupt ending.

Have you read A Court of Thorns and Roses? What did you think of the pacing and world-building? Let me know in the comments!

[inspiredbyhelena]

Getting Hooked on Guardians of Dafeng – Early Impressions

Date: January 16, 2025

I’ve recently started watching a Chinese drama called Guardians of Dafeng, and I’m really enjoying it so far! I looked it up online, and apparently it’s based on a Chinese novel, which I’m now thinking of adding to my To-Read list.

I went into the show with zero expectations, so when I first heard the theme song and watched the opening scenes, I thought it was going to be all about political drama and life-or-death fights. But nope! It’s actually a comedy!

The main character, Xu Qi An, is a modern-day guy who gets magically transported into the fictional, ancient city of Dafeng. And while he’s figuring out this strange new world, he also has to solve a bunch of mysteries along the way. Dylan Wang, who plays Xu Qi An, does an awesome job bringing this laid-back vibe to the character, especially when he’s in situations that could seriously mess him up. Plus, the rest of the cast is fantastic too, and they really bring the right balance of drama and comedy to their roles.

The show is still ongoing, and I’m currently on episode 30. So far, it’s been a lot of fun and a perfect thing to watch while I’m having dinner. Can’t wait to see where it goes!

[inspiredbyhelena]

Godly Empress Doctor

Godly Empress Doctor is a Chinese web novel that combines elements of romance, historical fantasy, and intrigue. The premise is interesting: the protagonist, a modern-day doctor, gets transported into a historical world and assumes the identity of a young woman with incredible potential, navigating political intrigue, complex relationships, and a growing love story with the male lead. This makes for a strong foundation with plenty of dramatic tension, which initially hooks readers.

At first, the overarching storylines feel compelling. The female lead’s medical knowledge and intelligence set her apart in a world where power and politics dominate. Her budding relationship with the male lead is another highlight, offering a nice balance of romance and mystery. The excitement of seeing a strong, capable female character outsmart her adversaries and win allies is satisfying.

However, as the novel progresses—particularly after a few thousand chapters—the repetitive nature of certain plot points becomes evident. The constant jealousy and schemes from other female characters, who oppose the female lead for her relationship with the male lead, feel overused. These recurring conflicts, rather than adding depth, end up bogging down the narrative, making it feel redundant and at times frustrating.

By the time the novel reaches its conclusion, many readers may feel disappointed. The ending lacks the satisfying resolution that the buildup seemed to promise, and it feels as if the author lost interest or rushed the story. This shift in tone and the lack of closure leave a sour taste, especially for those invested in the evolving relationship dynamics or the political struggles that had been so prominent in the early chapters.

Overall, while Godly Empress Doctor starts strong with an intriguing premise and engaging characters, the plot loses its momentum over time. The endless scheming becomes tiresome, and the ending fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion, which can make readers feel like their time was not fully rewarded. If you're drawn in by the premise, it can be an enjoyable read at first but be prepared for a dip in quality as you progress.

[inspiredbyhelena]

Love Like the Galaxy

5/5 Stars // Spoilers Ahead Love Like the Galaxy is undeniably one of the most gut-wrenching and emotionally impactful stories I have read this year. The central character, Shaoshang, is a woman hardened by a childhood of trauma and neglect. Her life is a constant battle to protect herself from the hurt she believes is inevitable. Raised by an abusive aunt and abandoned by her parents for years, Shaoshang is emotionally scarred. When her parents return, she clings to the hope that they’ll finally offer her the love and support she’s longed for. But the reality is far harsher: her mother favors her cousin, further deepening the wound of rejection. With these repeated failures in love and familial relationships, it’s no surprise that Shaoshang has built walls around her heart, guarding herself fiercely against any further pain.

Ling Buyi enters her life as a man determined to break down those walls, to be the one person Shaoshang can trust. His unwavering commitment to her is evident as he consistently makes efforts to reassure her, promising that he’ll never hurt her. However, despite his best intentions, Ling Buyi fails to address the deep-rooted insecurities within Shaoshang, and this failure creates a rift between them. His character arc is nothing short of shocking. Just when you think he’s the one person who might give her the stability she craves, Ling Buyi makes an unthinkable decision—he abandons her. While his actions are motivated by her safety, the emotional devastation Shaoshang experiences is profound. This moment of betrayal marks a significant turning point in their relationship, and the following five years spent apart feel earned by the emotional journey she endures.

What follows is a powerful exploration of Shaoshang’s path to healing. As she grows stronger and more independent, her journey of self-discovery and reclaiming her sense of worth becomes both heartbreaking and empowering. Her story is a testament to resilience, showing how even the deepest scars can lead to personal transformation. The slow burn of trust being rebuilt is not only a central theme of the book, but it’s also a poignant reflection of the complexity of human emotions and relationships.

Love Like the Galaxy is a heart-wrenching tale of love, loss, and redemption. Shaoshang’s journey is one of immense emotional growth, while Ling Buyi’s actions, though deeply painful, are integral to the narrative’s exploration of trust, vulnerability, and healing. The story will leave readers thinking long after they finish it, contemplating the complexities of relationships and the long road to forgiveness.

[inspiredbyhelena]

The Moment I Saw IU: A Concert Diary

Date: August 2, 2024

Location: The Kia Forum

It was a regular Friday morning — except it wasn’t. The day I had been eagerly waiting for had finally arrived: the IU concert! I’ve been a fan of IU since I was 11 years old. Her music has meant so much to me over the years — comforting me during my darkest times, soothing me when I was sad, and encouraging me to keep moving forward. That morning, I could barely contain my excitement. To prepare for the concert, I even spent months making bracelets and keychains to trade with other fans.

The ticketing experience, however, was a nightmare. IU is known for selling out stadiums across Asia, and I don’t think she anticipated such a huge turnout for her North American tour. She chose smaller venues for the tour, but when I entered the queue, there were already 60,000 people waiting. The ticketing process felt like a battleground — blood, sweat, and tears were shed just to get my ticket. My friends and I, along with our parents, tried our best to secure tickets for all of us. Unfortunately, despite our efforts, we didn’t succeed. I was heartbroken and disappointed. In the end, we had to purchase resale tickets, but thankfully, we didn’t pay an unreasonable price.

For the concert, purple and florals were the theme. I struggled a bit when picking my outfit because I tend to overthink clothing choices. In the end, I decided on a purple floral dress paired with a white tee and jeans. I wanted to stay comfortable but still dressed up, knowing it would be hot — August heat is no joke.

The only thing missing was the lightstick. For those unfamiliar with K-pop culture, most artists have their own lightsticks, which are a way for fans to show their support and feel united. The artist often coordinates the lightstick’s color with the setlist. IU’s lightstick, shaped like a microphone, is one of my favorites. My friend, who was flying in from San Francisco, attended the San Francisco stop of the tour and brought me a lightstick from that concert. We hadn’t been sure whether we’d be able to buy one at the LA stop, so I was grateful to have it in hand.

Hearing IU live was an experience beyond words. Her live vocals are unmatched, and her concert felt so intimate. She truly cares about her fans and makes sure they’re included in every aspect of the show. Since most of her set was in Korean, and the audience was largely English-speaking, she had the phonetics of the lyrics displayed on the screen so fans could follow along.

The concert lasted almost three hours and included multiple costume changes and an encore. During the encore, there was a more interactive segment where fans could suggest songs for IU to sing. One of the most memorable moments was when she performed a small snippet of her iconic song “Good Day,” despite having retired it during her Golden Hour concert. I never thought I’d hear it live again, so it was truly special. I thought I would cry at the end of the concert, but surprisingly, I managed to keep my composure. Still, my inner child felt completely healed that day.

Final Thoughts:

Attending IU’s concert was a dream come true. Although I had watched countless clips of her performances online, nothing compares to the magic of being there in person — feeling the energy of the crowd and hearing her incredible voice live. It was an adventure I’ll cherish forever, and I can’t wait for the next one.

Until Next Time,

Helena

[inspiredbyhelena]

Welcome to my blog! I'm so glad you're here. This space is a place where I can share my passions, creativity, and thoughts on various things that interest me. From journaling and art projects to book reviews and musings about what I'm currently reading (or what I want to read), I'll be documenting it all here.

As I’m just starting out, expect a slow, steady journey—especially since I’m also balancing school alongside this passion project. This blog is all about personal exploration, and I'm excited to see where it takes me. Stay tuned for updates as I dive deeper into the things I love and thank you for joining me on this adventure!

[inspiredbyhelena]

Check & Mate

4/5 Stars // Spoilers Ahead

The beginning of the book was pretty slow, so I mainly relied on the audiobook in order to keep my attention on the story. It wasn't until the middle of the book that I started having to sit down with my book and I was locked in.

Although it is marketed as a romance book, the majority of the book is focused on the main character, Mallory's, strained relationship with her dad - how she's left to carry the burden of taking care of her two sisters and her mom who is sick. She's trying to figure out what she wants, who she wants to be, and how her love for chess fits into these dynamics.

There are a few moments where I had to put the book down and scream into my pillow at Mallory's poor decision making, but I feel that is to be expected, she's only 18/19 years old.

Nolan, her "love interest" is mostly a side character until towards the second half of the story when they start to have more dialogue with each other and I think he was definitely more interested in her, than she was to him in the beginning. But to be fair, she had a lot of self-reflection to go through first before she even knew that she liked him.

Overall, the book was cute, and I enjoyed Hazelwood's books.