
Genre : Fantasy, Steampunk
Publisher : Solaris
Length : 416 pages
Format : eARC
Rating : 4 stars
Publication Date : October 20th 2020
PUBLISHER’S DESCRIPTION
Dragons. Art. Revolution.
Gyen Jebi isn’t a fighter or a subversive. They just want to paint.
One day they’re jobless and desperate; the next, Jebi finds themself recruited by the Ministry of Armor to paint the mystical sigils that animate the occupying government’s automaton soldiers.
But when Jebi discovers the depths of the Razanei government’s horrifying crimes—and the awful source of the magical pigments they use—they find they can no longer stay out of politics.
What they can do is steal Arazi, the ministry’s mighty dragon automaton, and find a way to fight…
BOOK REVIEW
Hwaguk has been occupied for years after losing the war against the powerful Empire of Razan. Now, it is just another province of the empire.
Gyen Jebi, a non-binary Hwagugin artist, is a pacifist and they have no intention of fighting for or against the Razanei, they just want to paint in peace. However, life as an artist isn’t always easy and, when their application to work for the Ministry of Art is rejected, Jebi find themselves in dire need of money. When they are offered a position as an artist for the Ministry of Armor, they are unable to pass up the opportunity.
Jebi soon realizes that the Razanei need them to create automatons that will have the power to destroy all the enemies of the Empire – including Hwagugin rebels such as Jebi’s own sister, Bonsunga. Jebi the pacifist is now forced to make a choice. Will they continue painting for the enemy or will they fight for their country?
When I first heard about Phoenix Extravagant, a fantasy book inspired by the Japanese occupation of Korea, I was definitely excited to read it. Firstly, because I want to read everything Yoon Ha Lee has and will ever write and secondly, because I really love Korean culture and I was immediately intrigued by the setting.
And the setting was one of the reasons I really enjoyed Phoenix Extravagant. I have a fondness for saeguk, historical Korean dramas, and the Japanese occupation setting reminded of one of my favorites Mister Sunshine, a drama following Korean rebels fighting against the Japanese Empire, but with dragons.
I loved all the references to Korean culture (especially Korean food!) and history but I also loved all the elements that Yoon Ha Lee incorporated to it. First of all, this book is queer AF. In this world, you can identify as female, male or non-binary (geu-ae) and it’s not frowned upon by anyone. The same goes for relationships: poly-amorous relationships, same-sex relationships and relationships between non-binary people are completely normalized.
I also loved reading about the automatons, mechanical beings brought to life by elaborate paintings made with special pigments. Those pigments are created from the destruction of art pieces (and of course, the Razanei destroy Hwagugin art and not their own). Each pigment has a specific effect on the automation depending on its processing and the art piece that was destroyed to create it. One of the pigments, Phoenix Extravagant, is extremely rare and allowed the Razanei to create a particularly complex and powerful automaton in the form of a mechanical dragon. However, they didn’t expect their creation to be a pacifist sentient being and they need Jebi to modify the dragon to make it a more useful weapon.
To be perfectly honest, I probably would have enjoyed the story more if it had been narrated from the perspective of Arazi, the dragon. Indeed, I struggled a bit with Jebi. I understood that the book was purposefully following an ordinary character who doesn’t want to fight but, I ended up being quite frustrated with how passive Jebi was. It got on my nerves and because of that, I struggled to connect with them or their relationships with their sister or their romantic interest.
My other issue with the book was that, while the worldbuilding and the setting were amazing, I thought the story was a bit too simple and straightforward. It’s not that surprising considering that the book is a standalone and only 400 pages but, I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a bit longer and if it had followed other characters such as Arazi, Bonsunga and Vei.
However, even if I had some minor issues with Phoenix Extravagant, I still had a lot of fun reading it. If you are looking for a queer fantasy book with a fascinating setting and worldbuilding, I would definitely recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Rebellion Publishing and Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.
For a Korean lover this must be a dream walk. But I liked the setting as exotic, and just wonder why it must be on a different world than ours (aside from adding dragons and magic). Because all references where so obviously to real world history and culture.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I completely agree with you, I don’t really understand either why Yoon Ha Lee decided to set this story in a secondary world when the inspiration was very obvious… 🤔
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe the same reason why the Witcher is set in a secondary world approximately mediaeval Europe: because achieving historical adequacy is difficult and laborious.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I need to start this series soon: I already have Ninefox Gambit on my TBR and I must make it a priority to start reading it at the first opportunity – maybe as a New Year resolution… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phoenix Extravagant is a standalone and it is very different to Ninefox Gambit: it’s way more approachable but at the same time, the Machineries of Empire trilogy is such a masterpiece that cannot not recommend it! The first few chapters are very confusing and it takes a bit of time to understand the world but, once you do, it turns into an incredible ride! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you enjoyed this one, I’ve heard a bit of mixed things, but I’d love to check it out! For some reason I haven’t read any of Yoon Ha Lee’s work yet!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very different from Yoon Ha Lee’s other works and I think I might have been disappointed if I had expected this book to be similar to Ninefox Gambit. I’m glad I knew it was completely different before starting it, it’s a very fun fantasy story with an amazing setting but it’s not (and doesn’t try to be) as amazing as his science fiction trilogy! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am sorry you struggled with the MC, but all the rest seems pretty great! 😍 This is not a priority, but I have it on my TBR and I hope to get to it, sooner or later!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think it was Yoon Ha Lee’s intention to portray a very ordinary character and showing how they would react in this situation. I think he did a great job at it but I have to say that I tend to prefer characters that are a bit less passive lol.
But yes, the rest is pretty great! 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can’t wait to read this. I was interested before but the ‘magic system’ you mention here sounds incredibly interesting. Having the automatons powered by the destruction of the occupied people’s culture by the occupier is an incredible way to tell a story about war.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it’s a great way to discuss the destruction of culture through the destruction of art!
LikeLiked by 1 person