This was a big book (or I think it was...) and I really like big books so dY'-dY'-dY'- 
 I really liked the descriptiveness, which, including the unique setting, made this book memorable. Even without much of a background on Chinese history or culture, I could still see each scene vividly. The descriptions added to the book instead of making it frustratingly slow. I'd be interested in reading the author's other books based on the amount of descriptiveness this book has. At one point, I could feel the main character's anguish seeping through the pages and almost cried along. 
 The politics played out really well, and even though it was mostly politics until the actual fighting at the end, the book was still very captivating. The main character was likeable, if at times frustrating (for reasons mentioned below). The cast of characters included a main character with a limp, a deformed friend, and a trans woman. There were also vibes of the main character's master having feelings for her. The setting also included a very sexist world, although tiring, I suppose it was realistic. 
 I could see some of the twists coming, and felt frustrated that it took so long for the main character to reach the same conclusion. 
 (view spoiler)[C'mon, there were only two types of writing mentioned. And it took the main character so LONG??? The other should've been other languages mentioned as red herrings (it was implied that there were other languages, but there weren't any details) 
 Another spoiler that felt unrealistic to me: the main character's limp suddenly heals, and it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all? The pain is gone, but I felt like the main character would've had to adjust to walking differently, which might've been a setback in the middle of a fight? (until she got used to it) 
 The book ends at a semi cliffhanger; it does have an ending but it leaves you hanging. dY's (hide spoiler)]