The chapters I read were 1-15, overall I thought the story was very interesting. However, my biggest con about the story was the vast amount of information provided at the beginning of the book and the over detailing throughout. While this did not deter me from reading it, it did feel like the scene was dragging on a bit. In the beginning, I had to force myself to read it a bit, because there was so much information. I felt the scenes would have been set up flawlessly without as much detail. I feel as though I would read more of her work because it is good. Once the story got going it was pretty good. I would suggest working on the detailing by doing so without the glossary (that really threw me for a loop). I felt like that could have been at the end or you could have the reader use context clues to determine what the object is.

~Jam

For me, this was an amazing story with extremely rich world-building that has been a pleasure to read, something different that many of the other books in the club. Although I haven't been able to read through the entire book yet, it isn't for the lack of desire to!

I have three pieces of feedback for consideration.

First, the story is quite heavily loaded upfront with concepts and glossary. It's a lot of mental load for the reader before they even start in You do a great job introducing the concepts and definitions within the story itself so I think this reference material may be better served to be put at the end of the book.

Secondly, I was a little disappointed that there weren't a lot of details on how they escaped that night. I think it's a great opportunity for some action and tension as the threat of being caught looms over them and could also be a great bonding moment as they dared to do this together. I would love to read more about their daring escape.

Third, and this is the most sensitive part about the feedback that I'm have been debating about putting in, so please take it with a bucket of salt and also please think of it as just a consideration. I have had previous discussions with academics about the topic of cultural appropriation in fiction and I have been torn about my own feelings about the Asian influences of the book. On one hand, it's like "hey, yay representation" and on the other hand, I feel like some of the parts of the culture have been borrowed and given different meanings. It took me a long time to figure out where my own head was at with it and I came to the realization that while I am comfortable with the actual story, all the imagery included in the book, from the cover to the reference images, was jarring to me as they mean completely different things to me that was at odds with the actual story. Perhaps just by taking some of the images out and taking another look at the cover may be sufficient, at least for me. You do a great job with descriptions themselves so I don't think explanatory images are necessary anyway.

Overall, I really did enjoy the story and look forward to reading more for sure. The world you've built is so realistic and is a great vehicle for the story itself. I'm excited to see how the two will change society.

~Pixie

The book is intriguing because you want to see how it will all come together. I'm not sure the first three chapters are adequate for you to get a sense of what the book is about. But I'm sensing that because she was sold, and he's about to do his lovers' training that they will get together. He also seems dissatisfied with the cultural norms, and with the situation with her parents, I can see some rebellion happening in the future.

Overall, the writing is good and the author does a good job building the foundation for the storyline.

~Csuigar

What did you think the book was about?

It almost seems like it is historical fiction even though sex trafficking is happening all around us. From what I read I know Yui the main female lead is sold into sex slavery and the life she once had is gone.

Did you feel that the book filled your expectations?

For me, this story is a bit heavy. It's is written in 3rd person and there is a lot of world-building and descriptions. The sensory details are pleasant and the author can paint a picture of the different characters and setting. I did feel it was a bit much for me to absorb. There are also a lot of words "had, was, were and ly endings" These are more of telling instead of showing and having a smooth flow for the writing. It made it a bit hard for me to read and enjoy the story. I do think with editing the flow can change.

What about the plot?

I actually like the plot of the storyline because sex slavery isn't always brought up into conversations or yet, alone put into a book. I think this is a unique idea to have in a story to understand what women or children go through when becoming a slave.

Do the characters seem real and relatable?

Haruto's I could connect with more than Yui. I did not connect with her as much. Adding more internal thoughts and feelings, what her life is like can help make her more relatable.

How was the pacing of the chapters you read?

This for me goes with the flow of the story. I mentioned earlier there is a lot of description and If they are lessened to an extent, and action, internal dialogue, and regular dialogue and interactions with the environment can make the pacing better for me.

How was the description of the chapters?

The sensory details are good, there are a lot of them. I don't need to know what everyone looks like, or every detail of the scene around me. Small subtle ones can easily paint the same picture throughout the action and dialogue.

Describe what you liked or disliked about the authors writing style?

I think the third person can be difficult to write because you become the narrator and have control over the entire scene. I also think the third person can limit writing if it's not done correctly. The author so far has a good grasp with the third person, and I think with more editing and limiting sensory details to essentials, adding more internal sensations, internal dialogue, action, and body language, this story will have a lot of potential. The one thing that bothered me and this may be a pet peeve of mine when reading but the author switched point of views in the third person from Yui and Haruto.

Would you read more of the author's work?

Yes

~Steph

I'm not quite sure what to say about this story, but it's intriguing. It's a story that follows two individuals -- a prince-like son and a now slave girl as they deal with the way or the Speaker's Way in their world. I wasn't quite sure what the Speaker's Way was but as I read I've come to learn that it's connected to the way order is carried out. I love the creativity put into this story. At first, it was hard to follow because I was still stuck on processing the two different languages spoken and trying to figure out what the Speaker's Way was. I can't say that I care too much about the son's parents. I found them annoying and one-minded. They could have at least took their son's point of view into consideration instead of sending him off to learn a tougher way to live. The slave girl had a more interesting storyline even though she was doomed to live the Lover's Way. All in all, the characters were intriguing to me. The story was written nicely. I didn't see anything wrong with it grammatically. My only issue was at the beginning where I got hung up on trying to figure out what the Speaker's Way was. I agree that your strongest trait is your world and character building. As for your descriptions, I thought those were on point. However, in certain areas there could be improvement like in the beginning when mentioning the two languages I think. As for your help request, I personally think you doing a good job there. Your story is worth telling.

~Ellen

I felt really emotional drained and shock when I read this story about how women are treated as sex objects to the High Priest and Priestess. It reminds me of a few movies I watch where it involves women being treated like a sex slave. The main characters Yui and Haruto my heart went out for them when they had to live in that sad society. And Haruto finding out that his father is an insane man who likes to rape girls was like a betrayal to him. This story kinda conflicted me in a way that made feel upset that women are treated as tools for pleasure and punching bags. And to be honest I felt kinda uncomfortable about reading certain pages that implies rape but it's a good story. And I want to read the whole thing but I don't want to read the whole thing. Again great story. And great characters.

~Jasz

I really enjoyed this story so far. I think I got about sixteen chapters in and I plan on finishing it, may just take me a little while. That being said the world building is stellar. I love the physical manifestation of the division of the sexes though different languages. There is such amazing attention to detail, just make sure you aren't over detailing. Some things are unnecessary and just bog down the story.

Once I started reading it was hard to stop because the story is so intriguing and I was really rooting for Yui and Haruto and I definitely want to see how their story ends. The sex scenes are well written and I'm looking forward to when Yui and Haruto get to actually consummate their relationship (I haven't gotten there yet).

I agree wholeheartedly with your listed strengths but disagree with your listed weakness. Even if you may struggle while writing your descriptions, you do so very beautifully. I also feel like you are already a wonderful storyteller. I've read some of your other work and I think you have solid consistent, quality work and you'll only continue to improve as you go. It was a real pleasure to read your work and to have you in this club.

Please continue to write because you are really fantastic at it.

~Tiff