The Black Tides ofHeaven, JY Yang, 237 pages
Twin siblings Mokoya and Akeha, children of the Protector,
have grown up away from her tyrannical influence, in the Grand Monastery.
Mokoya has developed the ability to prophecy the future, and Akeha has always
blended into the background, keeping an eye on everything and everyone. But as
they grow, they grow apart, and the Rebellion against their mother’s rule grows
as well. Is Mokoya merely a pawn under the Protector’s influence? Should Akeha
join the Rebellion, or will that put the two twins in opposition?
I feel like this novella suffered from the same affliction
as Everfair, trying to span too great
a length of time with too low a page count. Thankfully, it’s less glaring in
this book, being shorter and only have two major characters. I thought the
worldbuilding was good, especially the magic system and how it complemented
technological advances – it reminded me of The
Legend of Korra in a way. As much as I love traditional swords-and-sorcery
fantasy, it’s nice to mix it up with some actual technological development (isn’t
it incredible how weaponry hasn’t changed in well over six thousand years in The Lord of the Rings). Generally I
liked The Black Tides of Heaven, I
just found it slightly unsatisfying.
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