This book was a nightmare from start to finish, and if it wasn’t an ARC, I probably would have DNFed after the first chapter.

The writing voice was too juvenile for YA—and it would have been better suited for a MG or a chapter book. No teenager calls something the “good-looking giggles,” nor do most teenage girls giggle every. single. time. they see an attractive man. Also, at one point the love interests says, “Yah, I worked hard these thighs,” and I don’t know what that means but I do know that it made me set the book down and wonder what my life had come to that I was reading this book.

I know that the author herself has bipolar disorder and has spoken about that previously—so I am very hesitant to critique her. But the disability represented was written outside her lived experience, and I think a sensitivity reader or two could have been beneficial to the story. I am not blind, so I cannot speak to the specific rep. But I will give the facts as unbiased as I can so that other disabled readers can decide whether this book is right for them. In Zhara: Guardians of the Dawn, the main character’s sister is blind and the book upholds the moral model of disability—with the main character’s sister’s blindness being “punishment” for the MC using her magic. Here are a few quotes from the book:

“Why aren’t you answering, my darling? Or are you dumb as well as blind?” (13%)

“Don’t you ever get tired of it all?”
“Of what?” Zhara was almost afraid to ask.
“Of being a good girl.” Her sister’s lip curled. “Of taking care of an invalid.”
“Mimi—”
“No.” Suzhan’s tone was forceful. “That’s my truth. I’m an invalid. And unlike you, I’ve made peace with it.” (61%)

“I’m blind, not stupid.” (77%)

Overall, this book was not for me.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All views reflected are my own.

Zhara: Guardians of Dawn is the story of Jin Zhara, a girl with magical gifts that she is desperately trying to conceal. Magicians are blamed for the existence of monsters that previously destroyed the land. Zhara must also look out for her sister, who is blind, and cater to the whims of her stepmother that Zhara credits with her survival. When rumors of monsters in the marsh arrive, Zhara meets a mysterious young man named Han. Through him, Zhara learns about the existence of a secret magical group called the Guardians of Dawn. Zhara will have to choose whether to reveal her magical gifts and what she will fight for.

Zhara is a character that is so easy to connect with and feel invested in. I loved how she acknowledged her flaws and took responsibility for things that her magic caused even when she never intended harm. At times some of the dialogue was a little over the top. The world-building/magic system was initially a lot to process. It is very detailed and thoughtful, but also quite complicated. Now that world-building has been established in this book, I’m looking forward to seeing how it is further explored in the sequel.

Han is quite the character, he feels bold and dramatic in the best sense. He definitely eschews the strong and silent type, instead wearing his heart openly on his sleeve. Zhara and Han find themselves in many romantic situations, some of my favorite scenes were the classic forced proximity. I enjoyed the LGBTQ+ rep in a hilarious side character who uses they/them pronouns, which I read as non-binary rep. I loved the inclusion of the Bangtan Boys to the rescue! Readers who enjoyed Sailor Moon, Cinder, and seek books with intense and magical world-building should check this book out!

Thank you so much to S. Jae-Jones, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

The premise sounded very interesting, however, I was unable to get into it. i don't think it's for me, but thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Zhara (Guardians of Dawn, #1) reminded me so much of Cinder, which was one of my favorite books in middle school!

Although I could tell the story was Cinderella-inspired, there were lots of innovative details that prevented it from feeling formulaic. I loved the relationship between Zhara and her younger sister Suzhan; I think it reflected the realities of growing up in an abusive environment that are often glossed over. Instead of being perfect allies or complete opponents, they are forced to betray each other in minor ways while still caring for each other deeply.

Han’s sweetness was also refreshing. Even though he’s conventionally attractive and physically fit like many other male fantasy leads, he’s sheltered and naive, which emphasized the struggles Zhara has endured.

The worldbuilding was also fascinating, though I’ll definitely need the next book to understand it fully. The pacing/plot was less compelling. The exposition dampened the sense of urgency that makes revolutionary stories believable. The climax also didn’t feel super believable; it was over far too fast, and Zhara’s role in it also seemed improbable.

This was so terribly disappointing. Everything about it caught my attention and made me want to read it - from the description, to its reference to Sailor Moon (a connection I felt was sorely misrepresented), to its stunning cover. It didn’t deliver on anything. The writing is clunky - so much telling that is bland and emotionless. The pacing is so tragically slow - I was bored. The characters are the most immature older teens I’ve ever encountered. I mean, “Good-Looking Giggles” … are we serious right now? Like really!? Maybe if they were 8 it might make sense. Nothing hooked me or made me want to keep reading. Idk I hate being so negative but this just isn’t what I felt like was promised. The concepts are so freaking cool and the execution of them is severely lacking in follow through. It definitely needed to go through several more drafts before accomplishing its spectacular potential. I wanted so much to enjoy this and, sadly, I did not. By no means is it my intention to bash the author or their writing (I would still try something new from this author in the future). Don’t let me dissuade you from giving this a chance if you were really looking forward to it. Reading is such a personal experience and I am simply expressing mine.

Wow, this was so goddamn awful.

The writing is so juvenile and immature; this especially contrasts whenever a scene is supposed to be really serious, like when little boys are turning into monsters or someone is being tortured. But then the characters go back to acting like they're eleven-year-olds flirting for the first time acting like they didn't just bare witness to something traumatizing; it is so goddamn painful.

Additionally, the pace is so fucking slow. I skipped through sections so I could see if I would be confused, but I wasn't! I instantly understood what was going on because of the painfully constant and repetitive introspection building walls on the page. It's like the writing is a dog chasing its own tail, because the plot goes round and round until the third act and ending.

I cringe when I go back to look at my old writing, but reading this gave me hope (And dread).

The characters also suck. The main cast are given these quirks (i.e. Zhara's "Good-Looking Giggles" whenever she dare glances at an attractive person and Han's inability to recognize porn as a 17-year-old teen (I wish I was joking, but I'm not)) in terrible attempt to make them stand out, but it just makes me hate them all the more.

All in all, I had a really bad time reading this. Just a miserable experience, all around.

I will update the review with the link to on our blog closer to publication date.

I'd like to thank the publisher St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was SO excited by the description of this book. Sailor Moon + Cinder? Sign me up!

I think this is a book that has an absolutely amazing premise with a few things keeping it back. ‘Zhara’ offers some interesting world building, but some of the representation in this book bordered on offensive, and some parts of the book felt repetitive, which hindered pacing. I would still love to read the second book, as I think there’s a lot of promise here; it just isn’t completely realized in the first book.

I saw this described as Sailor Moon meets Cinder and was instantly drawn in as I grew up watching Sailor Moon!

The book with a girl that has magical powers that keeps them hidden because if people knew she had power she would be in grave danger.

The book talks about magicians, the secret magical liberation Guardians of Dawn, and the Kestrels, those who think magicians are monsters and should be executed.

While I enjoyed parts of the book for the most part, unfortunately it was very slow paced and repetitive.

I had high hopes for this book, but it didn’t resonate with me like I had hoped from the description.

Initially, again, I was taken by the cover and the part where I was sold that this would have some of the elements of sailor moon. I’m a huge fan of sailor moon after all. However, I’m not really sure if YA is my thing because the past few YAs I’ve engaged with, like this one, hasn’t been that fulfilling. This just wasn’t for me.

Good story! I really liked the characters and the story.lots of adventure and action. It was fun. Definitely want more by this author.

CW: loss of parents

Jin Zhara is an ordinary girl who lives in the kitchen with her stepmother and stepsister after her magician father is executed. Magic is forbidden in Zanhei, and Zhara has a secret to hide. Wonhu Han, the Royal Heir, will do anything to protect his little brother, who is a magician. A chance meeting between the two will bring in a magical society that is keeping magic alive. Monsters start appearing again, but there is only one person who can help. Will Zhara find out who she truly is?

First of all, look at this gorgeous cover!! It's actually what drew me to request this book in the first place. It was described as Sailor Moon meets Cinder, but I think it's more like Cinderella meets Avatar thr Last Airbender. I love all the Asian influences, and that there are nonbinary and queer characters as well. I thought Zhara and Han were so loveable and a lot of their interactions made me laugh. I did think the first half of the book was a bit slow, and Zhara's naivety was a bit frustrating. I still can't wait to read the next one. Please let there be a next one.

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara was such a fun and intriguing read! I loved the spin on some favorite tropes, the wonderful representation, and the fierce female lead! This is sure to be a favorite of many. Can’t wait to read the next one by S. Jae Jones!

This was an interesting book, despite it not being quite what I expected. The dual protags find themselves swept up in a magical conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, Zhara with her magic she fears, and Han seeking help for his magical younger brother. The worldbuilding was fantastic, there was a lovely blend of Asian themes that worked very well together, and hinted at a very well-thought out setting. The plot itself was straightforward, but I felt like the characters were a bit lacking. Zhara and Han had a very strong introduction, and the opening scenes were very exciting, but as the book progressed it seemed like the characters often stagnated. While I did feel like the story dragged at times, I think this was largely due to the author needing to introduce a lot of concepts for the readers. I look forward to seeing what happens in the sequel!

While I appreciate the opportunity to read this, unfortunately I was not able to get into this story.

I received an e-arc through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion about the book.


Cinderella retelling with a pensive not an idealistic, happy go lucky girl, but a girl trying to survive and no real aspiration with a "prince charming" who's idealistic and vain and bumbling quarky character. Not the very typical Cinderella retelling. The magic and the world building is a bit much at the beginning but it's a fun story that's different and I can see the sailor moon reference in the blurb. It has romance but unlike her other work which is a romance this is more plot with a hint of romance. The tone of the book comes off to me as younger ya but with a upper ya world building. The characters make sexual innuendos and the violence is pretty minimal. The interaction of characters are fun to read and is dual pov. Overall good story. Hoping the second book is just as fun to read.

Sailor Moon meets Cinderella in an ancient Chinese world? Naturally Im there! They had me at “inspired by Sailor Moon,” which was one of my absolute favorite animes as a kid growing up in the 90’s and my intro into the Magical Girl genre. I would definitely rate this one 5 stars for the nostalgia and the joy it brought me!

Zhara is a magician growing up in a world that not only fears people like her but puts them to death simply for being born with powers. But when she learns of the Guardians of the Dawn, both the titles of a group of magical elemental warriors who fought off and sealed ten thousand demons away and also a group of magicians who help smuggle their fellows to safety under the eyes of the very warlord out to kill them, she knows she must do whatever is possible to help.

As much as I loved Zhara’s character and how absolutely real she felt (the good-looking-giggles are so true!!!), I have to say Xu was my absolute favorite. I adored them for their sassiness while also being the most level-headed teenager ever! Han’s awkwardness was adorable but his earnestness makes him the perfect love interest! Ziyi’s stern but no-nondescript attitude and Yuli’s charisma and flirting were perfectly done. Honestly the inclusivity in the book is perfect!

Zhara learns that she is the Guardian of Fire and has the ability to not only fight demons, but to cure other magicians of when possessed by them. Together with the Guardian of the Wind and their friends they must stop the ritual sacrifice to release the Mother of Demons and save the world.

Fans of anime and Disney fairytales will absolutely enjoy this book! I am eagerly awaiting the next installment!

This was such an interesting read. The world was fascinating. There were a bunch of characters but none made me fall in love. It had a bunch of potential but it never really grabbed me. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed myself. But so many of my reads this year had me comping at the bit to read them again, and this fell a little flat in comparison.

That being said, reviewing is not a game of comparing. There were some moments of humor that were great, and others that left me just feeling a bit awkward. The description might be the biggest reason that this didn’t work for me. Sailor Moon meets Cinder was not the vibe. The side characters stole the show, which is great but again, left it falling a little flat.

Overall, this was fine. I had fun, but I wouldn’t go on a second date.

"Guardians of Dawn: Zhara" by S. Jae-Jones is an incredibly fun fantasy retelling of Cinderella, with a four horseman spin. The story crafts a landscape of a beautiful Asian city where we follow our main characters, Zhara, an orphan, Suzhan, Zhara's blind half-sister, Han, the crown prince, and Xu, Han's best friend and child of the ruling regent. Very loosely following the tale of Cinderella, we follow our characters as they try to fight for magic equality and for the very lives of their closest friends and family. This story offers representation on many parts of the LGBTQ spectrum and disability representation. Zhara starts off as a meek character, riddled with gratitude to her stepmother who she believes is doing what is best for her, despite the constant verbal abuse and manipulation she is being dealt. As Zhara starts to break away from her step mother, she evolves as a character, but the story still offers insight into the trauma she is recovering from due to the step mother's emotional abuse. The story has great plot and character arcs for everyone involved and I found it quite refreshing. Also, the vocabulary used in the novel was great for teen readers, offering familiar words as well as incorporating words that will continue to help better their vocabulary, which I think often gets lost in YA and Adult books. Over all, I had an incredible time reading this book and was feeling feelings akin to those I felt when reading "Cinder" by Marissa Meyer.

I absolutely love S. Jae-Jones' books. I was absolutely swept away by Guardians of Dawn: Zhara! Jae-Jones wrote a story that was so well written I found myself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down, pondering what would happen next. My favorite piece of this entire story was how believable the characters were.

The writing is clear and clean, and very immersive. The book hums along at a good clip, but the pacing makes sure we're given time to breathe between plot-intensifying moments. The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story.