Well, I’m close to a full year late to this review, I finished this series at a time where I was already way behind on reviews, extra busy at the “9-5” & in the beginning stage of a reading slump. It’s been a while but let’s review.
Girls of Paper and Fire: a series by Natasha Ngan
- Category – YA High Fantasy Fiction
- Length – #1 385 Pages, #2 403 Pages, #3 400 Pages
- Read Time – 12 Days, 11 Days, 26 Days
- GR Rating – 4 Stars
This series turned out to be darker than I expected, definitely on the more mature end of YA. Trigger warning for reference to kidnapping, sexual abuse, grooming practices, blood & killing.
Girls of Paper and Fire – #1
In book 1 we’re introduced to the beautifully written magical world of Ikhara, heavily inspired by Chinese-Malaysian culture, dripping with opulence ruled by a powerful king, & come to understand what it means to live in that world. Separated by hereditary lines the populace is mainly broken into castes of ‘races’, the mortal humans known as Paper firmly at the bottom. The Moon Caste, which is the ruling class, also known as demons, described as animal humanoids with full animal like features, strengths & advantages. Right in the middle being the by product of the Moon & Paper Castes, the Steele Caste is mostly human with some animal/demon features. Book 1 also brings us our main protagonists, yes Lei is thee leading lady for sure but I also feel like Wren was just as important to the overall story. Lei is 17 years old & finds herself amongst the 9 (usually 8) ‘Paper Girls’ chosen to serve the king. Every year 8 young girls are chosen from the paper caste, presented to the families as an honorable opportunity that could bring favor to them all, it is anything but.
Once at the palace, in the “Women’s Court”, her new home, Lei meets Wren another of the chosen Paper Girls & the 2 develop a relationship much deeper than friendship despite their new realities as concubines to the bull demon king. Lei was chosen because of her golden eyes, seen as a sign of good fortune the king naturally wanted her for himself but she was also something more, something the demon king was not expecting, she was prophesied to end his reign. Wren on the other hand was very much so planted there by her own father to further the clans own agenda.
I’m getting ahead of myself, spoiler! my bad haha, this is a full series review though, it happens.
In the Women’s Court Lei, & the other girls, are taught how to be Paper Girls, what is expected of them day to day, how they are expected to dress, where they are allowed to go within the palace & what it means to be picked as the nights courtesan. Although the story doesn’t go into gore filled detail, it is made apparent & clear that the demon king is grievously injuring these young girls while sexually abusing them. Lei & Wren decide to fight back, to escape this fate they never wanted & live out their lives together, in love. Book 1 ends with the girls escaping the palace, believing the king to be dead.
Girls of Storm and Shadow – #2
Book 2 continues the story of Lei & Wren fighting for not only their freedom but that of the whole Ikhara. Although outside of the palace, their fight for freedom is still just beginning. This book gives us more of Wren & her families backstory & a glimpse at how far her father & leader of the Hanno Clan, Ketai Hanno, is willing to go to secure the future he envisions of the kingdom. Book 2 is the “quiet before the storm” part of the trilogy, although there are definitely many moments of tension & battle, it’s the preparation before the big event. Training for combat while also still trying to heal their bodies from the last battle. Traveling to various clans in hopes of securing alliances for the war to come, Wren & Lei end up separated once again, Lei dragged back to the clutches of the bull demon king who indeed still lives.
Girls of Fate and Fury – #3
Lei is back in the palace, captive of the bull demon king once again, desperate to escape his clutches no matter the cost. Wren is outside of the palace walls, desperate to rescue Lei from the kings clutches no matter the cost. The king is committed to making an example out of Lei in front of the whole kingdom. Ketai Hanno devoted to his cause, unwilling to deviate from the plan he set in motion years ago when he adopted Wren as his daughter, a plan that has her in the role of sacrifice. While this is a ya series, the subjects are definitely heavy, love, betrayal, sacrifice, death. The final battle is hectic as to be expected, we’re left biting our nails to the very end, hoping our protagonists will be victorious in freeing Ikhara from the bull demon kings torturous reign.
Spoiler: They Are!
Ultimately I rated this series 4 stars as a whole, 4 stars for each individual book. The world of Ikhara was so beautifully written, I think this series would be fantastic on the big screen with the right budget of course. The beautiful opulence of the palace creating an opposite to the ugliness that is the bull demon kings reign, the characters written in such a relatable way. Thank you for joining me for another book chat, happy reading!
- Have you read this book?
- What was your favorite part? (The death of the bull demon king! He had it coming!!)
- What was your least favorite part? (N/A)
- How many stars do you rate this book?
Hasta la próxima – V
Chatting with V 
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