Phoenix Extravagant

G. Deyke reviewed Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

[Adapted from initial review on Goodreads.]

3 stars

I really, really love Yoon Ha Lee when he writes for adults (Machineries of Empire). I don't like him nearly as much when he writes for children (Dragon Pearl). I figured young adult is closer to regular adult than to children, so gave Phoenix Extravagant a try, and, well... it's not nearly as extreme as Dragon Pearl was, but the things that bothered me about it are in here too: it feels kind of... dumbed-down, overexplained, with a strong tendency towards rhetorical questions. I enjoyed it anyways overall - some great concepts in here and a fantasy robot dragon whom I adored - but the writing style is really not my favourite, and I might have to restrict my enjoyment of Yoon Ha Lee to his work for adult adults from now on.

Also feel like the ending needs a mention. I'm not really sure how to feel about it …

I really, really love Yoon Ha Lee when he writes for adults (Machineries of Empire). I don't like him nearly as much when he writes for children (Dragon Pearl). I figured young adult is closer to regular adult than to children, so gave Phoenix Extravagant a try, and, well... it's not nearly as extreme as Dragon Pearl was, but the things that bothered me about it are in here too: it feels kind of... dumbed-down, overexplained, with a strong tendency towards rhetorical questions. I enjoyed it anyways overall - some great concepts in here and a fantasy robot dragon whom I adored - but the writing style is really not my favourite, and I might have to restrict my enjoyment of Yoon Ha Lee to his work for adult adults from now on.

Also feel like the ending needs a mention. I'm not really sure how to feel about it - on the one hand it's subversive in a way that really highlights the way things don't actually always work out in a clean narrative way, on the other that cheapens everything that came before. I suspect this is, in fact, the point. So - not a satisfying read, but that's maybe not a bad thing? I'm not sure.

Selling points: feels like the exact opposite of science fantasy (this is a sci-fi story with fantasy trappings; the dragon is a robot, which is more important than that it is a dragon); nonbinary protagonist; various queer representation; Korea-inspired setting; emphasis on art; sciencey application of magic

Warnings: destruction of culture, removal of autonomy, torture

enne📚 reviewed Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Phoenix Extravagant

4 stars

A fantasy novel about a non-binary artist (and their rebellious older sister) in occupied Hwaguk, who is forced to go work for the occupying Razanei military and their painted automata.

Assorted points I enjoyed: * non-binary protagonist! other non-binary folks in the world! * fantasy technology level at "some amount of electric lights (+feelings about that being introduced by occupiers) * (over-enthusiastic? snarky?) telepathic friends * theft of local art by occupiers made even more worse by having that be a magical plot point

Books That Burn reviewed Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

Review of 'Phoenix Extravagant' on 'Storygraph'

5 stars

PHOENIX EXTRAVAGANT is thoughtful and deliberate, featuring a character who gradually finds themselves as part of a revolution. Not through some showy event, but through a conviction that a particular thing cannot be allowed to stand, that it pains them at their core, and hurts their community now and into the future. It's emotionally complex, leaving room for different people to have different hurts and allegiances in a world where not everyone oppressed is on the side of the oppressed. Also there's a mechanical dragon, which is great.

The worldbuilding is very focused on what Jebi thinks about and specifically what affects them. This means there are a lot of discussions of their interpersonal ties, and what they think about art in the context of occupation and conquest. I like the tight focus, it means that whatever's brought up is detailed, well-constructed, and either emotionally or factually important to the …

PHOENIX EXTRAVAGANT is thoughtful and deliberate, featuring a character who gradually finds themselves as part of a revolution. Not through some showy event, but through a conviction that a particular thing cannot be allowed to stand, that it pains them at their core, and hurts their community now and into the future. It's emotionally complex, leaving room for different people to have different hurts and allegiances in a world where not everyone oppressed is on the side of the oppressed. Also there's a mechanical dragon, which is great.

The worldbuilding is very focused on what Jebi thinks about and specifically what affects them. This means there are a lot of discussions of their interpersonal ties, and what they think about art in the context of occupation and conquest. I like the tight focus, it means that whatever's brought up is detailed, well-constructed, and either emotionally or factually important to the narrative. What Jebi thinks is important enough to explain tells as much about their world as what they slowly realize they'd never thought of before.

The romantic relationship is well-conveyed, fitting naturally into the narrative and then slowly forming a new emotional goal, as Jebi moves from simply trying to have enough money to survive, to having a person they want to live with and for. Arazi fills some of this emotional space, but its ties to Jebi are of a very different (but very important) nature.

I wish there were a sequel in this world (the ending certainly leaves just enough room for it), but it does feel complete enough to be a stopping point.

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Phoenix Extravagant

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