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A Bright Heart #1
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Niesamowita historia inspirowana chińską kulturą.
Błyskotliwa młoda dziewczyna dostaje szansę na drugie życie.
Mingshin przechytrzyła trzech książąt, ponieważ chciała pomóc ukochanemu Renowi w zdobyciu korony. Jednak on ją zdradził. Przekonała się o tym, gdy leżała w kałuży własnej krwi u stóp schodów królewskiego pałacu.
Umierając, dziewczyna błagała bogów, aby cofnęli czas i dali jej okazję wszystko naprawić.
Jej modły zostały wysłuchane. Mingshin budzi się dwa lata wcześniej. Wówczas przyrzeka, że Ren nigdy nie zostanie królem, a ona już nigdy się nie zakocha.
Jednak obdarzony czarną magią dygnitarz zagraża pokojowi w jej królestwie, a żądny władzy Ren okazuje się bardziej zachłanny niż sobie wyobrażała.
Zrządzaniem losu Mingshin sprzymierza się z innym kandydatem do tronu, księciem Jiehem. Dziewczyna doskonale wie, że nie warto oddawać mu serca, lecz w gnieździe żmij, jakim jest królewski dwór, okazuje się, że tworzą świetny zespół. Czy uda jej się odwrócić katastrofę mającą miejsce w przeszłości? Czy będzie zdolna zaufać księciu, a może nawet go pokochać?
Błyskotliwa młoda dziewczyna dostaje szansę na drugie życie.
Mingshin przechytrzyła trzech książąt, ponieważ chciała pomóc ukochanemu Renowi w zdobyciu korony. Jednak on ją zdradził. Przekonała się o tym, gdy leżała w kałuży własnej krwi u stóp schodów królewskiego pałacu.
Umierając, dziewczyna błagała bogów, aby cofnęli czas i dali jej okazję wszystko naprawić.
Jej modły zostały wysłuchane. Mingshin budzi się dwa lata wcześniej. Wówczas przyrzeka, że Ren nigdy nie zostanie królem, a ona już nigdy się nie zakocha.
Jednak obdarzony czarną magią dygnitarz zagraża pokojowi w jej królestwie, a żądny władzy Ren okazuje się bardziej zachłanny niż sobie wyobrażała.
Zrządzaniem losu Mingshin sprzymierza się z innym kandydatem do tronu, księciem Jiehem. Dziewczyna doskonale wie, że nie warto oddawać mu serca, lecz w gnieździe żmij, jakim jest królewski dwór, okazuje się, że tworzą świetny zespół. Czy uda jej się odwrócić katastrofę mającą miejsce w przeszłości? Czy będzie zdolna zaufać księciu, a może nawet go pokochać?
378 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2023
114 people are currently reading
10139 people want to read
About the author
Kate Chenli
2 books127 followersKate Chenli writes adult and young adult fantasy. As a Chinese immigrant, Kate is a proud US citizen who also cherishes her Chinese heritage. She has a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering, but has always enjoyed creating elaborate worlds and characters more than designing complex software. Besides reading and writing, her passion is world travel (five continents down and counting.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 653 reviews
July 10, 2024
this indeed felt like the historical cdramas my mom watches
walk-of-shame-dnf
December 11, 2023REVENGE PLOT AND COURT INTRIGUE + historical c-drama inspired ?? sign me upp, im about to eat this upp 🤭✊
January 27, 2024
A Bright Heart is a tale of love, revenge, and second chances.
Mingshin's love for Ren knew no bounds. She put in every effort to make sure that he would ascend to the throne. But her dreams were shattered when Ren finally became king. He betrayed her trust and killed her. Mingshin was just a mere pawn in Ren's game of power. How could she have known that the ultimate price of love was her own life? As she lay bleeding out, Mingshin made a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and make things right. To her surprise, her plea was answered, and she woke up two years earlier. Now, Mingshin sought to avenge herself and rewrite the course of her destiny.
I found the storyline to be fast-paced and engaging. However, I wish there was a bit more depth and development when it came to the magic and secondary characters. Besides that, I thought it was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Chenli, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Mingshin's love for Ren knew no bounds. She put in every effort to make sure that he would ascend to the throne. But her dreams were shattered when Ren finally became king. He betrayed her trust and killed her. Mingshin was just a mere pawn in Ren's game of power. How could she have known that the ultimate price of love was her own life? As she lay bleeding out, Mingshin made a desperate plea to the gods to turn back time and make things right. To her surprise, her plea was answered, and she woke up two years earlier. Now, Mingshin sought to avenge herself and rewrite the course of her destiny.
I found the storyline to be fast-paced and engaging. However, I wish there was a bit more depth and development when it came to the magic and secondary characters. Besides that, I thought it was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Chenli, and Dreamscape Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
August 18, 2025
When I first read A Bright Heart I gave it three stars and thought the last third of the book was a mess. After my reread of it I have no idea what I was thinking. This is a great book, it's very fast paced, action packed, and romance filled.
In A Bright Heart Mingshin is betrayed by her lover Ren. Ren jails her and kills so he can marry her cousin Aylin. As Minghsin lay dying she prays for a second chance. Her prayers are answered and she wakes up two years before her death and vows to do things right this time.
Mingshin is a lovable, intuitive and intelligent female lead you will always side with. There's never a moment in this book you won't be cheering for her. The male love interest, Jieh, is affable and good looking. He's not your typical brooding, overly possessive male love interest. He actually values Mingshin for her mind and see's her as a person rather than an object to possess.
I was overly harsh when I read this the first time. I'm not sure why, but on rereading this in preparation to read the second book, I found myself glued to the pages, even knowing the bigger points of the plot because I had read it the previous year. If you like asian fantasy worlds, dramatic political intrigue, family drama, and a love story with depth, you will appreciate A Bright Heart.
In A Bright Heart Mingshin is betrayed by her lover Ren. Ren jails her and kills so he can marry her cousin Aylin. As Minghsin lay dying she prays for a second chance. Her prayers are answered and she wakes up two years before her death and vows to do things right this time.
Mingshin is a lovable, intuitive and intelligent female lead you will always side with. There's never a moment in this book you won't be cheering for her. The male love interest, Jieh, is affable and good looking. He's not your typical brooding, overly possessive male love interest. He actually values Mingshin for her mind and see's her as a person rather than an object to possess.
I was overly harsh when I read this the first time. I'm not sure why, but on rereading this in preparation to read the second book, I found myself glued to the pages, even knowing the bigger points of the plot because I had read it the previous year. If you like asian fantasy worlds, dramatic political intrigue, family drama, and a love story with depth, you will appreciate A Bright Heart.
July 30, 2023
the way that a revenge plot immediately makes me add a book to my tbr is a bit concerning… anyway!
—
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!!! as per tradition, here are a few of my positives and negatives:
(?) we jumped RIGHT in. on one hand, i felt it was too quickly done and that the exposition was missing for the most part. on another hand, i understand the reasoning and it wasn’t a deal breaker.
(-) descriptions were skipped for plot though. is this a (?) or a (-)? i had to think on it. i typically don’t have a problem with it, but i know most people do. it did make the writing a bit more simplistic and a bit more tell and not show. the further into the book, the more everything was just handed to the reader, so i decided to make it a negative. (again, i usually don’t have a problem with tell-not-show books, mainly because i’m a bit stupid and don’t even notice it anyway! this time, however, it was just a litttleeee too much for me).
(+) i love a revenge plot. no, not a “i started my journey wanting revenge but then i learned revenge is bad” plot. a revenge plot.
(-) i do, however, hate a “love is more powerful than anything” plot. mainly because it’s corny. and because this book was all tell and no show, we were told that “our love was more powerful than xyz” multiple times. i struggled.
(-) our mc’s first man murders her. her second man is controlling and super arrogant (but not in a “booo we don’t like him!” way?). basically, she just has poor taste in men. but i guess a man who wanted to taming-of-the-shrew is technically better than a man who betrayed and murdered you…? cheers to progress! (btw, not my interpretation of the character. he’s literally written as a controlling and arrogant man who first wanted to “tame” her.) to be fair, though, it’s written as if you took the typical kind YA love interest and just added those little pieces in, not in a way that him being controlling is his entire personality. not my cup of tea, but to each their own.
(-) oh, by the way, this is NOT enemies to lovers, or a slowburn (as is advertised). she says she hates the guy like, once in her thoughts.
(+) you know that one side character who is NOT the love interest and used as the “haha funny guy coming in to be funny and silly”? and you end up liking him more than the love interest (or any of the characters)? we have one of those in here! thankfully!
(-) typically, i’m not a fan of a bunch of flashbacks. but i felt that they were necessary here and entirely lacking! i mean, she lived an entire life (literally) before rewinding. i had so many unanswered questions.
——
so, the negatives are outweighing the positives, but i honestly didn’t find the book THAT bad. (+) it wasn’t horrendously paced, and (+) i was immersed in the story. that being said, it read like a standalone. apparently a sequel is coming, and i don’t plan on reading it. it also read a bit flat- but based on entertainment, i wouldn’t say i regret the read.
—recommend?—
maybe? all depends on how you scale the pros and cons. a lot of what i read was definitely a dealbreaker for many, i just didn’t mind it too much. it’s also the author’s debut novel, which is why i’m cutting some slack (yes, everyone, i have a soul).
—
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc!!! as per tradition, here are a few of my positives and negatives:
(?) we jumped RIGHT in. on one hand, i felt it was too quickly done and that the exposition was missing for the most part. on another hand, i understand the reasoning and it wasn’t a deal breaker.
(-) descriptions were skipped for plot though. is this a (?) or a (-)? i had to think on it. i typically don’t have a problem with it, but i know most people do. it did make the writing a bit more simplistic and a bit more tell and not show. the further into the book, the more everything was just handed to the reader, so i decided to make it a negative. (again, i usually don’t have a problem with tell-not-show books, mainly because i’m a bit stupid and don’t even notice it anyway! this time, however, it was just a litttleeee too much for me).
(+) i love a revenge plot. no, not a “i started my journey wanting revenge but then i learned revenge is bad” plot. a revenge plot.
(-) i do, however, hate a “love is more powerful than anything” plot. mainly because it’s corny. and because this book was all tell and no show, we were told that “our love was more powerful than xyz” multiple times. i struggled.
(-) our mc’s first man murders her. her second man is controlling and super arrogant (but not in a “booo we don’t like him!” way?). basically, she just has poor taste in men. but i guess a man who wanted to taming-of-the-shrew is technically better than a man who betrayed and murdered you…? cheers to progress! (btw, not my interpretation of the character. he’s literally written as a controlling and arrogant man who first wanted to “tame” her.) to be fair, though, it’s written as if you took the typical kind YA love interest and just added those little pieces in, not in a way that him being controlling is his entire personality. not my cup of tea, but to each their own.
(-) oh, by the way, this is NOT enemies to lovers, or a slowburn (as is advertised). she says she hates the guy like, once in her thoughts.
(+) you know that one side character who is NOT the love interest and used as the “haha funny guy coming in to be funny and silly”? and you end up liking him more than the love interest (or any of the characters)? we have one of those in here! thankfully!
(-) typically, i’m not a fan of a bunch of flashbacks. but i felt that they were necessary here and entirely lacking! i mean, she lived an entire life (literally) before rewinding. i had so many unanswered questions.
——
so, the negatives are outweighing the positives, but i honestly didn’t find the book THAT bad. (+) it wasn’t horrendously paced, and (+) i was immersed in the story. that being said, it read like a standalone. apparently a sequel is coming, and i don’t plan on reading it. it also read a bit flat- but based on entertainment, i wouldn’t say i regret the read.
—recommend?—
maybe? all depends on how you scale the pros and cons. a lot of what i read was definitely a dealbreaker for many, i just didn’t mind it too much. it’s also the author’s debut novel, which is why i’m cutting some slack (yes, everyone, i have a soul).
August 15, 2025
2,5
Taki średniaczek
Taki średniaczek
January 12, 2024
as a hong konger, i can confidently say that this book is like the final boss of every overly melodramatic historical chinese court TVB drama, but worse.
like i've mentioned in my updates while reading this book (for only like 20 times), A Bright Heart has a lot of flaws. i wanted to love this, but at the same time, it's hard to love a book that's basically the equivalent of a dumpster fire. i'd be lying to myself if i rated this 3 stars or higher, and that's a low low bar.
i understand what the book was trying to do. chinese historical court drama, regression after death trope, revenge on family. i'm a sucker for all of these, and they're very common tropes that when used together should at least create something of substance. but A Bright Heart is not only insubstantial, but terribly juvenile and a slog to get through. this boils down to two elements: the writing style and the plot. both have their problems, but just let me lambast this prose because i did not get paid enough to sit through the whole of this book with my expectations slowly being dashed with every sentence i rolled my eyes at.
boy do i have a lot to say about this writing. where this book fell short was the way kate chen constantly shows instead of tells; i usually hate people who preach on and on about showing not telling in writing, but this issue was noticeable enough even just 20 pages in. she does not describe much, whether it's emotions, dialogue, or anything in between. it's just stated, often in one short, simple sentence with no elaboration. further, there's no variation in how the characters move or what they do. it infuriates me how many times mingshin 'gasps' or 'scoffs'.
speaking of mingshin, she's about the most immature lead i've ever read in the past few months. a massive superiority complex, just a dusting of 'i'm not like the other court girls, i fight and i'm not a manipulative ass', and you get a completely unlikeable, conflicting main character. she fluctuates between a state of instalove with a prince she's known for like 2 weeks after expressly stating she doesn't want to be romantically involved with anyone, and a state of 'i have to get my revenge' but she never really does, in the end.
the romance is perhaps maybe the most illogical portion of the book. i can't even be mad about it because it's just so boring it doesn't even elicit any feelings from me.
i applaud my iron will for making it through this book without dnf'ing.
like i've mentioned in my updates while reading this book (for only like 20 times), A Bright Heart has a lot of flaws. i wanted to love this, but at the same time, it's hard to love a book that's basically the equivalent of a dumpster fire. i'd be lying to myself if i rated this 3 stars or higher, and that's a low low bar.
i understand what the book was trying to do. chinese historical court drama, regression after death trope, revenge on family. i'm a sucker for all of these, and they're very common tropes that when used together should at least create something of substance. but A Bright Heart is not only insubstantial, but terribly juvenile and a slog to get through. this boils down to two elements: the writing style and the plot. both have their problems, but just let me lambast this prose because i did not get paid enough to sit through the whole of this book with my expectations slowly being dashed with every sentence i rolled my eyes at.
boy do i have a lot to say about this writing. where this book fell short was the way kate chen constantly shows instead of tells; i usually hate people who preach on and on about showing not telling in writing, but this issue was noticeable enough even just 20 pages in. she does not describe much, whether it's emotions, dialogue, or anything in between. it's just stated, often in one short, simple sentence with no elaboration. further, there's no variation in how the characters move or what they do. it infuriates me how many times mingshin 'gasps' or 'scoffs'.
speaking of mingshin, she's about the most immature lead i've ever read in the past few months. a massive superiority complex, just a dusting of 'i'm not like the other court girls, i fight and i'm not a manipulative ass', and you get a completely unlikeable, conflicting main character. she fluctuates between a state of instalove with a prince she's known for like 2 weeks after expressly stating she doesn't want to be romantically involved with anyone, and a state of 'i have to get my revenge' but she never really does, in the end.
the romance is perhaps maybe the most illogical portion of the book. i can't even be mad about it because it's just so boring it doesn't even elicit any feelings from me.
i applaud my iron will for making it through this book without dnf'ing.
November 2, 2023
Frankly, I love this book.
Now this book might not be for everyone. But it was most certainly for me.
If you're a fan of the reincarnation/rebirth plotlines that are highly prevalent in manga/manhwa/manhua then this, my dear, is for you.
The story opens with our female lead abandoned, betrayed, and ultimately killed. The timeline is reset when she is able to go back in time to two years before her ultimate downfall.
Fast-paced and easy to read, this book centers on Mingshin, and her plans to take control of her family's future and enact her revenge on all those who have wronged her.
She is smart, determined, loyal, and fiercely protective of those she cares about. She is most certainly a force to be reckoned with. I also enjoyed the romance between her and Jieh. Jieh isn't perfect, but he's reliable in his affection for Mingshin and always puts his ultimate trust in her.
While the book is built around the battle for the throne, Mingshin still manages to remain the focus. Her character growth is commendable. But I will say the whole True Love Conquers All bit was highly predictable and a bit cheesy for my taste. However, since this is YA I'll allow it.
Overall, I think it's a worthwhile read. Perfect for fans of Chinese xuanxia dramas.
Thank you to Union Square & Co. for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Now this book might not be for everyone. But it was most certainly for me.
If you're a fan of the reincarnation/rebirth plotlines that are highly prevalent in manga/manhwa/manhua then this, my dear, is for you.
The story opens with our female lead abandoned, betrayed, and ultimately killed. The timeline is reset when she is able to go back in time to two years before her ultimate downfall.
Fast-paced and easy to read, this book centers on Mingshin, and her plans to take control of her family's future and enact her revenge on all those who have wronged her.
She is smart, determined, loyal, and fiercely protective of those she cares about. She is most certainly a force to be reckoned with. I also enjoyed the romance between her and Jieh. Jieh isn't perfect, but he's reliable in his affection for Mingshin and always puts his ultimate trust in her.
While the book is built around the battle for the throne, Mingshin still manages to remain the focus. Her character growth is commendable. But I will say the whole True Love Conquers All bit was highly predictable and a bit cheesy for my taste. However, since this is YA I'll allow it.
Overall, I think it's a worthwhile read. Perfect for fans of Chinese xuanxia dramas.
Thank you to Union Square & Co. for providing me with an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 22, 2024
I enjoyed it but I wanted something more.
The book didn't offer much freshness or originality, especially since I've encountered similar plots before.
Time-travel revenge stories are quite popular in Chinese novels, and I've read a lot of them, so it was disappointing when this book didn't bring anything new to the table and relied on familiar tropes without adding any unique twists.
The "not like other girls" trope was also used, and I'm tired of it, especially if it's not handled in a nuanced way.
The romance was cute, but it moved too fast, so I didn't feel the connection between the characters.
If this was one of my first reads in the genre, it might have had more of an impact, but as I've already read a lot of books like this, I'm looking for something with more depth and creativity.
The book didn't offer much freshness or originality, especially since I've encountered similar plots before.
Time-travel revenge stories are quite popular in Chinese novels, and I've read a lot of them, so it was disappointing when this book didn't bring anything new to the table and relied on familiar tropes without adding any unique twists.
The "not like other girls" trope was also used, and I'm tired of it, especially if it's not handled in a nuanced way.
The romance was cute, but it moved too fast, so I didn't feel the connection between the characters.
If this was one of my first reads in the genre, it might have had more of an impact, but as I've already read a lot of books like this, I'm looking for something with more depth and creativity.
July 4, 2025
Second read was just as fun as the first time!
-
I went into this blindly. The writing is very easy to follow and the plot moved smoothly. The romance was very sweet too. And I love a good revenge story.
-
I went into this blindly. The writing is very easy to follow and the plot moved smoothly. The romance was very sweet too. And I love a good revenge story.
December 30, 2023
"What if you could avenge your own murder?"
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW: abuse, blood, classism, death, death of a loved one, grief, infidelity, injury/injury detail, murder, sexism, suicide, torture, violence.
Once again... skipping over the fact I'm embarrassingly late in getting to this ARC and jumping right to the review.
I hate negatively reviewing ARCs, particularly when its a book with such an original concept as this. The idea of a MC getting a second chance at life, to re-walk the path that led to her murder and hope to change the outcome sounded incredible. I would be remiss to ignore how unique this author's story was or how grateful I am that I had a chance to read it.
But I would also be dishonest if I rated this book any higher.
Both subjectively and objectively, this book just did not work. The MC handled everything in the worst, most foolish way possible; to the point that some of the betrayals would have been earned, from how impolite and suspicious she was acting. Due to the lack of flashbacks in the story, we are simply told about the betrayals again and again, whilst watching Mingshin make the worst decisions imaginable.
The romance was... absolutely unpleasant to read about. I hated the comparisons of taming in their relationship, especially considering the fact this is a YA and therefore marketed towards a young audience that may not realize how messed up the dynamic is. I hated that her lips were described as throbbing after he kissed her, which becomes more concerning with the context of his controlling and misogynistic behavior. I hate the fact that she only gains confidence in her looks once his love has changed her.
I also struggled with the writing, as it seemed to jerk between attempting an extremely poetic prose and sentences like, "Is this guy for real?" which pulled me out of the story. Pairing the simplistic, almost... insultingly explanatory writing style with Mingshin's immaturity made this book feel extremely juvenile in all the wrong ways.
As I said at the beginning of the review, I hate leaving negative reviews on ARCs. This was such an incredible concept and I could tell that this story meant a lot to the author, whom I wishing nothing but the best for moving forward. This story just didn't work for my preferences or on a technical level, but I am grateful that I was given the chance to read it.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
TW: abuse, blood, classism, death, death of a loved one, grief, infidelity, injury/injury detail, murder, sexism, suicide, torture, violence.
Once again... skipping over the fact I'm embarrassingly late in getting to this ARC and jumping right to the review.
I hate negatively reviewing ARCs, particularly when its a book with such an original concept as this. The idea of a MC getting a second chance at life, to re-walk the path that led to her murder and hope to change the outcome sounded incredible. I would be remiss to ignore how unique this author's story was or how grateful I am that I had a chance to read it.
But I would also be dishonest if I rated this book any higher.
Both subjectively and objectively, this book just did not work. The MC handled everything in the worst, most foolish way possible; to the point that some of the betrayals would have been earned, from how impolite and suspicious she was acting. Due to the lack of flashbacks in the story, we are simply told about the betrayals again and again, whilst watching Mingshin make the worst decisions imaginable.
The romance was... absolutely unpleasant to read about. I hated the comparisons of taming in their relationship, especially considering the fact this is a YA and therefore marketed towards a young audience that may not realize how messed up the dynamic is. I hated that her lips were described as throbbing after he kissed her, which becomes more concerning with the context of his controlling and misogynistic behavior. I hate the fact that she only gains confidence in her looks once his love has changed her.
I also struggled with the writing, as it seemed to jerk between attempting an extremely poetic prose and sentences like, "Is this guy for real?" which pulled me out of the story. Pairing the simplistic, almost... insultingly explanatory writing style with Mingshin's immaturity made this book feel extremely juvenile in all the wrong ways.
As I said at the beginning of the review, I hate leaving negative reviews on ARCs. This was such an incredible concept and I could tell that this story meant a lot to the author, whom I wishing nothing but the best for moving forward. This story just didn't work for my preferences or on a technical level, but I am grateful that I was given the chance to read it.
June 30, 2024
I was hoping for a novel just like my favorite Chinese dramas, but sadly it was just the usual typical YA novel with a bit of superficial Chinese window dressing. On the inside, all the characters thought like modern Americans. That may be a plus for many readers, making them more relatable, but for me it hindered my immersion and connection to them.
What’s more, one of my favorite tropes (heroine travels back in time to redo her life differently) wasn’t used to its full potential here. Usually, such stories play with the similarities and differences, with the characters revealing unexpected new depths leading you to re-evaluate what you thought you’d understood, with the moral quandary of disliking someone for what they haven’t done yet and may never do now that you’re acting differently. That way, the characters are all complex beings capable of both good and bad, and each new choice might influence them in unexpected ways. It’s handled better in dramas such as The Princess Royal or The Story of Kunning Palace.
Here, this was dumbed down: all the baddies are predictably evil and remain irredeemably evil, the good guys are good and that’s that. All the baddies hate the heroine and want to kill her, the good guys love her pretty instantly and hang on her every word. The time travel element is only used in order to give the heroine superior knowledge that allows her to outmaneuver the baddies and not be deceived by them as she was before (as well as take revenge), there’s zero attempt to understand any of the antagonists and influence them to make different choices this time around (and none of them are grey enough to allow that).
The romance for example could have really benefitted from the couple having been enemies in the previous timeline, but instead, he is someone the heroine had hardly paid any attention to before and vice versa. What a wasted opportunity! Furthermore, the incredible speed at which their romance develops into the most over-the-top declarations after only a brief acquaintance was cringy for me.
That said, the action was good, the pacing was fast and didn’t drag, the plot made sense, the prose was fine, and the heroine was smart and figured a lot of things out quickly. And I’m sure all of my points of criticism won’t bother most teenage readers for whom this book is meant.
What’s more, one of my favorite tropes (heroine travels back in time to redo her life differently) wasn’t used to its full potential here. Usually, such stories play with the similarities and differences, with the characters revealing unexpected new depths leading you to re-evaluate what you thought you’d understood, with the moral quandary of disliking someone for what they haven’t done yet and may never do now that you’re acting differently. That way, the characters are all complex beings capable of both good and bad, and each new choice might influence them in unexpected ways. It’s handled better in dramas such as The Princess Royal or The Story of Kunning Palace.
Here, this was dumbed down: all the baddies are predictably evil and remain irredeemably evil, the good guys are good and that’s that. All the baddies hate the heroine and want to kill her, the good guys love her pretty instantly and hang on her every word. The time travel element is only used in order to give the heroine superior knowledge that allows her to outmaneuver the baddies and not be deceived by them as she was before (as well as take revenge), there’s zero attempt to understand any of the antagonists and influence them to make different choices this time around (and none of them are grey enough to allow that).
The romance for example could have really benefitted from the couple having been enemies in the previous timeline, but instead, he is someone the heroine had hardly paid any attention to before and vice versa. What a wasted opportunity! Furthermore, the incredible speed at which their romance develops into the most over-the-top declarations after only a brief acquaintance was cringy for me.
That said, the action was good, the pacing was fast and didn’t drag, the plot made sense, the prose was fine, and the heroine was smart and figured a lot of things out quickly. And I’m sure all of my points of criticism won’t bother most teenage readers for whom this book is meant.
June 15, 2023
I would like to extend my congratulations to Miss Kate Chenli on her exceptional debut novel, "A Bright Heart." I am glad her passion for creating elaborate worlds and characters finally found its way to the public.
What drew me to this story was the beautiful cover and the concept of a second chance. It is rare to find a story that features a chance to reverse what went wrong in your past life—at least not that I’ve heard of. This YA fantasy story is inspired by Chinese tropes follows the journey of Mingshin, a young girl whose inheritance puts her in danger and leaves her fighting for her life. However, as she is lying in a pool of her own blood her plea for a second chance is answered, and she is transported back two years in time to right her wrongs, save her loved ones, and seek revenge against those who wronged her.
Chenli's target audience is very clear from the first pages, the language she uses is very clear and understandable for the young adult audience. Her world-building fits perfectly with this tactic, she gives the readers beautiful descriptions without overwhelming them. In addition, while there is fantasy, this tale is very focused on the betrayals and issues families face in order to scale and survive the changes in a dynasty.
What delighted me the most was that the novel never loses sight of Mingshin. The story is all about her and the new life granted in exchange to amend her errors. We see her character grow through the many challenges she has to face to avoid repeating past mistakes.
There is definitely romance. Many scenes will make the reader swoon because of how sweet it develops between the main characters—and some secondary characters. However, they do not take the attention from the main plot just make it more juicy.
A Bright Heart starts a bit slowly and I do have to admit that there should be some chapter editing before the release (or maybe it was the ARC error) but the tale is fascinating, I read it in less than 24 hrs and was very sad when I realized that there is a wait to see how the story concludes.
Overall, “A Bright Heart” is a remarkable debut that will leave readers eager for more.
Free ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What drew me to this story was the beautiful cover and the concept of a second chance. It is rare to find a story that features a chance to reverse what went wrong in your past life—at least not that I’ve heard of. This YA fantasy story is inspired by Chinese tropes follows the journey of Mingshin, a young girl whose inheritance puts her in danger and leaves her fighting for her life. However, as she is lying in a pool of her own blood her plea for a second chance is answered, and she is transported back two years in time to right her wrongs, save her loved ones, and seek revenge against those who wronged her.
Chenli's target audience is very clear from the first pages, the language she uses is very clear and understandable for the young adult audience. Her world-building fits perfectly with this tactic, she gives the readers beautiful descriptions without overwhelming them. In addition, while there is fantasy, this tale is very focused on the betrayals and issues families face in order to scale and survive the changes in a dynasty.
What delighted me the most was that the novel never loses sight of Mingshin. The story is all about her and the new life granted in exchange to amend her errors. We see her character grow through the many challenges she has to face to avoid repeating past mistakes.
There is definitely romance. Many scenes will make the reader swoon because of how sweet it develops between the main characters—and some secondary characters. However, they do not take the attention from the main plot just make it more juicy.
A Bright Heart starts a bit slowly and I do have to admit that there should be some chapter editing before the release (or maybe it was the ARC error) but the tale is fascinating, I read it in less than 24 hrs and was very sad when I realized that there is a wait to see how the story concludes.
Overall, “A Bright Heart” is a remarkable debut that will leave readers eager for more.
Free ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2023
This is a good entry-point for people looking to get into the Chinese court intrigue genre, but doesn't really break any new ground within the genre.
After Mingshin puts her betrothed on the throne, he betrays her and has her condemned to death, planning to marry her beautiful, high-born cousin instead. In her final moments, she begs the universe for a second chance and wakes up two years before her death, when she had just moved to the capital. She's determined to get revenge and to stay far away from the royal family, but life might have other plans for her.
The biggest strength of this book is undoubtedly how smart the characters - both protagonists and antagonists - are. This makes the book extremely gripping, as its full of clever plots, manipulations and twists.
However, the prose is simple and straight-forward to the point of being flat, and while the two main characters were well-drawn, the same can't be said for the secondary characters.
Overall, though, this was a fast, engaging read, and I really appreciated that the author acknowledged the tropes she was drawing from in her author's note.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
After Mingshin puts her betrothed on the throne, he betrays her and has her condemned to death, planning to marry her beautiful, high-born cousin instead. In her final moments, she begs the universe for a second chance and wakes up two years before her death, when she had just moved to the capital. She's determined to get revenge and to stay far away from the royal family, but life might have other plans for her.
The biggest strength of this book is undoubtedly how smart the characters - both protagonists and antagonists - are. This makes the book extremely gripping, as its full of clever plots, manipulations and twists.
However, the prose is simple and straight-forward to the point of being flat, and while the two main characters were well-drawn, the same can't be said for the secondary characters.
Overall, though, this was a fast, engaging read, and I really appreciated that the author acknowledged the tropes she was drawing from in her author's note.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
October 31, 2023
So I didn’t get to this book before it was published because of some family issues. But once I was able to pick this up I was hooked! It was so good! From the very start, the way we got hooked on the main character’s dying wish to get a chance to do over all the mistakes she’d made. To go back and fix the problems she hadn’t seen as she’d helped those she thought she could trust.
Fantasy doesn’t always grab me, often it takes me a minute or two to get into and it reads slowly for me because of all the descriptions the genre seems to include. However the author kept this story moving, kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading, turning pages as quickly as I could just to see what would happen as Mingshin got to go back in time and re-do all that she felt she had misjudged or let happen.
And right away things were different from the very first change she made. A new person came into play, one that from the start I wasn’t sure about. I mean from the very short end of her first life at the beginning, it seemed all the other princes weren’t any better than Ren was. So along with her, I kept hoping she’d remember not to let her guard down, not to think anyone was actually on her side, until they had proven in every way that they were.
This especially was on my mind at the end when it seemed like maybe she’d taken another wrong turn. So when the person redeemed themselves, it worked perfectly with the story. The whole magic and other world that we got bits and pieces of at the beginning, and more as the story progressed really added to the story as well. While I think this shows as only a standalone, I feel like there is more we need, and I really hope for a sequel!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
Fantasy doesn’t always grab me, often it takes me a minute or two to get into and it reads slowly for me because of all the descriptions the genre seems to include. However the author kept this story moving, kept me on the edge of my seat as I was reading, turning pages as quickly as I could just to see what would happen as Mingshin got to go back in time and re-do all that she felt she had misjudged or let happen.
And right away things were different from the very first change she made. A new person came into play, one that from the start I wasn’t sure about. I mean from the very short end of her first life at the beginning, it seemed all the other princes weren’t any better than Ren was. So along with her, I kept hoping she’d remember not to let her guard down, not to think anyone was actually on her side, until they had proven in every way that they were.
This especially was on my mind at the end when it seemed like maybe she’d taken another wrong turn. So when the person redeemed themselves, it worked perfectly with the story. The whole magic and other world that we got bits and pieces of at the beginning, and more as the story progressed really added to the story as well. While I think this shows as only a standalone, I feel like there is more we need, and I really hope for a sequel!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
November 22, 2023
Here for the political intrigue, strong women, and a cute healthy romance.
Needed a lot more world building and backstory imo. But honestly it was such a breath of fresh air to read a well-written YA romantasy that didn't rely on toxic tropes, so I'll let those criticisms slide.
Needed a lot more world building and backstory imo. But honestly it was such a breath of fresh air to read a well-written YA romantasy that didn't rely on toxic tropes, so I'll let those criticisms slide.
November 30, 2023
This was such a solid debut, and I am baffled that no one is talking about this book.
When I first read the synopsis of this book, I knew I just HAD to read it. The premise is that of some of my favorite manwhas. Our FMC is betrayed in the first chapter and then wakes up 2 years in the past for revenge? YES PLEASE! I eat that sh*t up every time.
Barring that, this was also such a solid YA debut, with vivid Chinese inspiration, and a good cast to boot. I hope this book finds its audience soon, because is seriously needs more love!
When I first read the synopsis of this book, I knew I just HAD to read it. The premise is that of some of my favorite manwhas. Our FMC is betrayed in the first chapter and then wakes up 2 years in the past for revenge? YES PLEASE! I eat that sh*t up every time.
Barring that, this was also such a solid YA debut, with vivid Chinese inspiration, and a good cast to boot. I hope this book finds its audience soon, because is seriously needs more love!
November 7, 2023
If you like:
- a second chance for revenge
- Chinese inspired fantasy
- political conspiracies
- cunning women
Pick up A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli!
I enjoyed the concept of the plot, getting a second chance at life. Mingshen enters her life from two years prior with a fierce determination. There’s really strong political conspiracies and royal intricacies that make this a super engaging read.
I loved the characters in this book! There are really notable side characters who make this book stand out. Mingshen sometimes annoyed me when she brought up that she wasn’t pretty or wasn’t like the noble women around her. Kinda gave me a sour taste but she had her reasons at times.
The main point of weakness for this book is the magic system. It was very ill defined and didn’t make much sense. I felt like some things contradicted each other. And a lot of the specifically magical scenes didn’t have the grandeur that Chenli was clearly going for.
Overall though this was a really enjoyable read, I was able to fly through it becuase I was curious about what would happen. And Natalie Naudus is a fantastic narrator as always!
- a second chance for revenge
- Chinese inspired fantasy
- political conspiracies
- cunning women
Pick up A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli!
I enjoyed the concept of the plot, getting a second chance at life. Mingshen enters her life from two years prior with a fierce determination. There’s really strong political conspiracies and royal intricacies that make this a super engaging read.
I loved the characters in this book! There are really notable side characters who make this book stand out. Mingshen sometimes annoyed me when she brought up that she wasn’t pretty or wasn’t like the noble women around her. Kinda gave me a sour taste but she had her reasons at times.
The main point of weakness for this book is the magic system. It was very ill defined and didn’t make much sense. I felt like some things contradicted each other. And a lot of the specifically magical scenes didn’t have the grandeur that Chenli was clearly going for.
Overall though this was a really enjoyable read, I was able to fly through it becuase I was curious about what would happen. And Natalie Naudus is a fantastic narrator as always!
May 20, 2023
A BRIGHT HEART immerses readers in a spellbinding YA fantasy world that delivers everything one might desire from an epic adventure. The narrative unfolds with exquisite finesse, unveiling a tapestry of court intrigue, exhilarating escapades, breathtaking battles, and tender romance. From the very first moments in a dark, foreboding dungeon cell to the climactic showdown within the opulent palace of the king, the story pulsates with unrelenting tension.
At the heart of this captivating tale stands Mingshin, a protagonist whose indomitable spirit and unwavering determination breathe life into every page. Her journey toward redemption and the pursuit of love takes readers on a transformative and deeply personal quest. Along the way, Mingshin encounters a rich tapestry of adversaries, each with their own complex motivations and multifaceted personalities. The resulting clash of wits and willpower forges a narrative with layers of intrigue and unexpected twists.
While Mingshin's growth and evolution form the core of the story, the author skillfully weaves a diverse ensemble of supporting characters who undergo their own compelling arcs. These vibrant allies and love interests emerge as fully realized individuals whose journeys meaningfully intertwine with Mingshin's own. Through poignant subplots that complement the main narrative, these characters not only bolster the emotional depth of the story but also serve as catalysts for Mingshin's personal growth.
What truly sets A BRIGHT HEART apart is the author's ability to convey scenes of love and action with poignancy and care. The tender moments of romance brim with heartache and longing while the adrenaline-fueled action sequences pulse with intensity and breathtaking choreography. These scenes left me breathless and yearning for more.
A remarkable debut, A BRIGHT HEART has me eagerly anticipating the sequel or next work by this promising new author.
At the heart of this captivating tale stands Mingshin, a protagonist whose indomitable spirit and unwavering determination breathe life into every page. Her journey toward redemption and the pursuit of love takes readers on a transformative and deeply personal quest. Along the way, Mingshin encounters a rich tapestry of adversaries, each with their own complex motivations and multifaceted personalities. The resulting clash of wits and willpower forges a narrative with layers of intrigue and unexpected twists.
While Mingshin's growth and evolution form the core of the story, the author skillfully weaves a diverse ensemble of supporting characters who undergo their own compelling arcs. These vibrant allies and love interests emerge as fully realized individuals whose journeys meaningfully intertwine with Mingshin's own. Through poignant subplots that complement the main narrative, these characters not only bolster the emotional depth of the story but also serve as catalysts for Mingshin's personal growth.
What truly sets A BRIGHT HEART apart is the author's ability to convey scenes of love and action with poignancy and care. The tender moments of romance brim with heartache and longing while the adrenaline-fueled action sequences pulse with intensity and breathtaking choreography. These scenes left me breathless and yearning for more.
A remarkable debut, A BRIGHT HEART has me eagerly anticipating the sequel or next work by this promising new author.
September 21, 2023
A genuine revenge plot with a strong cast of characters
A Bright Heart was just the authentic revenge plot that I've been looking for. Mingshin's intentions are clear from the very beginning, and she doesn't lose sight of who she is and what she has to do. HOWEVER! This isn't just a book about rage and retribution. Mingshin's also surrounded by a cast of characters who range from entitled princes to loyal handmaidens, vengeful family members to powerful politicians. There's a lot of depth to the story in terms of both plot and characters that made this an enjoyable read.
Not the best world-building, and not the best pacing, either
There might be times where you'll feel like you've missed something, and I think the writing style has a lot to do with this. The writing style is very straightforward, which does give this story more of a fairytale-like vibe (which is great). BUT this also makes it hard for the reader to absorb information about the world-building (which has a lot more telling than showing), and also makes the book seem a lot more fast-paced than it really is.
Incredibly cheesy, but an enjoyable read overall
A lot of the scenes in the book are reminiscent of many other YA books. It was very much a "love will conquer all" type of read, but I was surprisingly okay with it. The heart of the characters really made the book worth reading. If you're looking for a REAL revenge story with a headstrong and clever heroine, I'd recommend this one.
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Other key points not mentioned (i.e., they had no impact on my rating): Decent romance (not slow-burn, but not that cringe-worthy, either), slightly predictable (though I wouldn't call this a mystery novel, so that's okay), kind of annoyed that I went into this thinking it was a standalone but it will have a sequel
Thank you so much to the publisher for the review copy!
A Bright Heart was just the authentic revenge plot that I've been looking for. Mingshin's intentions are clear from the very beginning, and she doesn't lose sight of who she is and what she has to do. HOWEVER! This isn't just a book about rage and retribution. Mingshin's also surrounded by a cast of characters who range from entitled princes to loyal handmaidens, vengeful family members to powerful politicians. There's a lot of depth to the story in terms of both plot and characters that made this an enjoyable read.
Not the best world-building, and not the best pacing, either
There might be times where you'll feel like you've missed something, and I think the writing style has a lot to do with this. The writing style is very straightforward, which does give this story more of a fairytale-like vibe (which is great). BUT this also makes it hard for the reader to absorb information about the world-building (which has a lot more telling than showing), and also makes the book seem a lot more fast-paced than it really is.
Incredibly cheesy, but an enjoyable read overall
A lot of the scenes in the book are reminiscent of many other YA books. It was very much a "love will conquer all" type of read, but I was surprisingly okay with it. The heart of the characters really made the book worth reading. If you're looking for a REAL revenge story with a headstrong and clever heroine, I'd recommend this one.
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Other key points not mentioned (i.e., they had no impact on my rating): Decent romance (not slow-burn, but not that cringe-worthy, either), slightly predictable (though I wouldn't call this a mystery novel, so that's okay), kind of annoyed that I went into this thinking it was a standalone but it will have a sequel
Thank you so much to the publisher for the review copy!
March 13, 2024
Hm. Sama nie wiem co napisać XD
Lekka, przyjemna historia o drugiej szansie od losu. Dziewczyna po swojej śmierci cofa się w przeszłość by inaczej poprowadzić swoje życie, naprawia błędy, ma za zadanie uratować siebie i swoją rodzinę, to wszystko w historycznych azjatyckich klimatach. Było fajnie, ale bez większego szału czy napięcia, nie miała w sobie nic co mogłoby mnie zainteresować, nie była specjalnie rozbudowana, a ja po prostu brnęłam dalej. Klimatem bardzo przypominało mi to Córkę bogini księżyca - przy czym ta druga podobała mi się bardziej.
4.5/10. Taki średniaczek, ale gorszy niż większość, o.
Lekka, przyjemna historia o drugiej szansie od losu. Dziewczyna po swojej śmierci cofa się w przeszłość by inaczej poprowadzić swoje życie, naprawia błędy, ma za zadanie uratować siebie i swoją rodzinę, to wszystko w historycznych azjatyckich klimatach. Było fajnie, ale bez większego szału czy napięcia, nie miała w sobie nic co mogłoby mnie zainteresować, nie była specjalnie rozbudowana, a ja po prostu brnęłam dalej. Klimatem bardzo przypominało mi to Córkę bogini księżyca - przy czym ta druga podobała mi się bardziej.
4.5/10. Taki średniaczek, ale gorszy niż większość, o.
June 17, 2023
5 (deserved) ⭐
Thanks to Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed the book 🤩
Actually the first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful cover but when I read the synopsis I knew that I needed to read the book. I had never read a book about second chance in life with revenge and the premise seems interesting so I need to read the book.
I really liked Mingshin's character and her development throughout the book. She's someone who will try her best to protect the people she loves. In her first life she messed up really bad and for her second chance in life, she really did a good job remedying her mistakes, fighting for what belongs to her and keeping Ren from being the next king. About the others, I really liked how each character had their own personalities which helped with the plot.
I really enjoyed the book and reading about Mingshin's new opportunity in life, I also liked her friendship with Yunle and her relationship with Jieh. And really hated Ren for what he did 😠
Pd.: Can't wait to read the next book 🙀 because there will be another one, right? 👀
-----
Disfruté un montón del libro 🤩
La verdad es que lo primero que me llamó la atención fue la bella portada, pero cuando leí la sinopsis supe que necesitaba leer el libro. Nunca había leído sobre segundas oportunidades en la vida con venganza y la premisa se veía bastante interesante, así que necesitaba leer el libro.
Me gustó mucho el personaje de Mingshin y su desarrollo a lo largo del libro. Ella es alguien que hará todo lo posible para proteger a las personas que ama. En su primera vida no tomó las mejores decisiones y para su segunda oportunidad, realmente hace un buen trabajo al remediar sus errores, lchar por lo que le pertenece y evitar que Ren sea el próximo rey. Sobre los demás, me gustó mucho cómo cada personaje tenía su propia personalidad, lo que ayudó en el desarrollo de la trama.
Realmente disfruté del libro y de leer sobre la nueva oportunidad en la vida de Mingshin, también me gustó su amistad con Yunle y su relación con Jieh. Y odié a Ren por lo que hizo 😠
Pd.: Ya quiero leer el próximo libro 🙀 porque habrá otro, ¿verdad? 👀
What! I. Need. The. Second. Book. 🙀🤯
I loved the story and the characters (except for Ren 😡)
Thanks to Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed the book 🤩
Actually the first thing that caught my attention was the beautiful cover but when I read the synopsis I knew that I needed to read the book. I had never read a book about second chance in life with revenge and the premise seems interesting so I need to read the book.
I really liked Mingshin's character and her development throughout the book. She's someone who will try her best to protect the people she loves. In her first life she messed up really bad and for her second chance in life, she really did a good job remedying her mistakes, fighting for what belongs to her and keeping Ren from being the next king. About the others, I really liked how each character had their own personalities which helped with the plot.
I really enjoyed the book and reading about Mingshin's new opportunity in life, I also liked her friendship with Yunle and her relationship with Jieh. And really hated Ren for what he did 😠
Pd.: Can't wait to read the next book 🙀 because there will be another one, right? 👀
-----
Disfruté un montón del libro 🤩
La verdad es que lo primero que me llamó la atención fue la bella portada, pero cuando leí la sinopsis supe que necesitaba leer el libro. Nunca había leído sobre segundas oportunidades en la vida con venganza y la premisa se veía bastante interesante, así que necesitaba leer el libro.
Me gustó mucho el personaje de Mingshin y su desarrollo a lo largo del libro. Ella es alguien que hará todo lo posible para proteger a las personas que ama. En su primera vida no tomó las mejores decisiones y para su segunda oportunidad, realmente hace un buen trabajo al remediar sus errores, lchar por lo que le pertenece y evitar que Ren sea el próximo rey. Sobre los demás, me gustó mucho cómo cada personaje tenía su propia personalidad, lo que ayudó en el desarrollo de la trama.
Realmente disfruté del libro y de leer sobre la nueva oportunidad en la vida de Mingshin, también me gustó su amistad con Yunle y su relación con Jieh. Y odié a Ren por lo que hizo 😠
Pd.: Ya quiero leer el próximo libro 🙀 porque habrá otro, ¿verdad? 👀
August 19, 2023
I received this ARC thanks to the Publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
"Grant me another chance and I'll do anything to make it right."
I have to give my sincerest apologies for this book, as I've dropped it for almost two months after just digging into it -- I just got into huge reading slump after beginning my full time job. But hear me out, once I came back to it last night I couldn't put it down, and it officially proudly joins my top-reads-of-the-year squad <3
"When a kind heart is directed at the right people, it's strength, not weakness."
Hi there, in case you didn't know I'm a huge historical-xianxia-wuxia Cdrama lover, and this book made me feel as if I'm home <3 To be precise, take the original novel that inspired "Rebirth for You" (which drama version was executed pretty poorly, but that's why I'm pointing out the original written version!) but give it vibes of "The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion" or "Legend of Yun Xi" -- Yes, I'm totaly bias on the idea Mingshin being played by Ju Jing Yi for any kind of film adaptation for A Bright Heart. If you've liked the idea behind "Rebirth for You", or all the heart fluttering feelings other Cdramas mentioned, do be aware you'll devour this book at instance!
"You have the fiery spirit of the sun and the bright heart of the moon. Remember that."
Mingshin lived once already -- helped her handsome prince gain the throne of his father among other brothers competing for it, and she's heavily rewarder with a m*rder by hers truly. Wishing with her whole heart for a chance for revenge, she's granted another attempt by reliving her life teleported two years back. Now that she knows the fate awaiting her if she'll remain naive and lighthearted, she's ready to use her smartass brain to repay for everything her dear Ren gave her previous time. As her bright heart was the reason behind her doom last time, she'll do everything she can not to let it beat once more for any man approaching her on her way. Or will she?
"I promised I would control my own fate. This is only the first step in a long journey, but I will get to my destination."
Her foolish heart locked away, nothing shall stand on her way headed for grand revenge. But if she plans to destroy the possibility of prince Rhen ascending the throne, she'd choose other champion to support. And what a wearisome task it is, with a heart ready for love and so many princes to choose from. Having few strange encounters with prince Jieh, Mingshin chooses he'd be most fitted to the role of rulying their realm, so all that's left is to ensure cruel Ren wouldn't stand in his way, right? Definitely no danger of falling in love with yet another royal? Oh boi Mingshin can't get a break from her heart's doing.
"Love may not last forever, but it's worth taking the risk. Because it is the light, the most promising hope."
The fact that this whole story begins with so much trauma from Mingshin previous life makes you appreciate her smart-assness at its fullest even more - despite being mortally betrayed last time, she doesn't give up and chooses to go full revenge mode, which makes it wholesome revenge book. But it's also wholesome overally, as I was giggling, screaming, kicking my legs from excitement and cursing the characters every. Few. Pages. Once again I'm really sorry it took me so long to get back to this amazing book, but after all it truly amazed me and I've loved every singe page of it <3 I really hope we'll get some sequel for Mingshin's adventures, as one can't get enough of a story of this particular Bright Heart. 5 stars from me, and I call this 4th book to join my top favourites of 2023 <3
"Grant me another chance and I'll do anything to make it right."
I have to give my sincerest apologies for this book, as I've dropped it for almost two months after just digging into it -- I just got into huge reading slump after beginning my full time job. But hear me out, once I came back to it last night I couldn't put it down, and it officially proudly joins my top-reads-of-the-year squad <3
"When a kind heart is directed at the right people, it's strength, not weakness."
Hi there, in case you didn't know I'm a huge historical-xianxia-wuxia Cdrama lover, and this book made me feel as if I'm home <3 To be precise, take the original novel that inspired "Rebirth for You" (which drama version was executed pretty poorly, but that's why I'm pointing out the original written version!) but give it vibes of "The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion" or "Legend of Yun Xi" -- Yes, I'm totaly bias on the idea Mingshin being played by Ju Jing Yi for any kind of film adaptation for A Bright Heart. If you've liked the idea behind "Rebirth for You", or all the heart fluttering feelings other Cdramas mentioned, do be aware you'll devour this book at instance!
"You have the fiery spirit of the sun and the bright heart of the moon. Remember that."
Mingshin lived once already -- helped her handsome prince gain the throne of his father among other brothers competing for it, and she's heavily rewarder with a m*rder by hers truly. Wishing with her whole heart for a chance for revenge, she's granted another attempt by reliving her life teleported two years back. Now that she knows the fate awaiting her if she'll remain naive and lighthearted, she's ready to use her smartass brain to repay for everything her dear Ren gave her previous time. As her bright heart was the reason behind her doom last time, she'll do everything she can not to let it beat once more for any man approaching her on her way. Or will she?
"I promised I would control my own fate. This is only the first step in a long journey, but I will get to my destination."
Her foolish heart locked away, nothing shall stand on her way headed for grand revenge. But if she plans to destroy the possibility of prince Rhen ascending the throne, she'd choose other champion to support. And what a wearisome task it is, with a heart ready for love and so many princes to choose from. Having few strange encounters with prince Jieh, Mingshin chooses he'd be most fitted to the role of rulying their realm, so all that's left is to ensure cruel Ren wouldn't stand in his way, right? Definitely no danger of falling in love with yet another royal? Oh boi Mingshin can't get a break from her heart's doing.
"Love may not last forever, but it's worth taking the risk. Because it is the light, the most promising hope."
The fact that this whole story begins with so much trauma from Mingshin previous life makes you appreciate her smart-assness at its fullest even more - despite being mortally betrayed last time, she doesn't give up and chooses to go full revenge mode, which makes it wholesome revenge book. But it's also wholesome overally, as I was giggling, screaming, kicking my legs from excitement and cursing the characters every. Few. Pages. Once again I'm really sorry it took me so long to get back to this amazing book, but after all it truly amazed me and I've loved every singe page of it <3 I really hope we'll get some sequel for Mingshin's adventures, as one can't get enough of a story of this particular Bright Heart. 5 stars from me, and I call this 4th book to join my top favourites of 2023 <3
November 20, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC. It hasn't affected the contents of my review.
I really liked this! I think this might be my first Chinese court drama (unless the Celestial Kingdom books count), so take my review with a grain of salt if you're very familiar with them. Also, it's actually not set in China, although very much influenced by the culture. This is a fantasy set in a secondary world.
The book opens with a bang. Our main character, Mingshin, is murdered by her fiancé, who turns out to have been manipulating and using her to gain the throne. But she is granted a second chance by a mysterious force when her life is rewound and it's as if the last two years didn't happen, but she still remembers everything that happened. This time she's determined to get things right, and to make sure her murderous fiancé and treacherous family don't harm her or her family, and if a little revenge happens along the way, all the better.
I don't think I would have liked this nearly as much without the speculative do-over element of Mingshin getting another chance to get things right. That really added a fun element to the story that helped with character growth, intrigue, and the revenge plot. Without it, the story would have felt a lot more commonplace to me. It also got kind of bonkers towards the end with the fantastical elements. This also appears to be the first book in a series, if that ending is anything to go by. Lots of things left up in the air.
Natalie Naudus, as always, does a great job with her narration. You're always safe in her hands.
I really liked this! I think this might be my first Chinese court drama (unless the Celestial Kingdom books count), so take my review with a grain of salt if you're very familiar with them. Also, it's actually not set in China, although very much influenced by the culture. This is a fantasy set in a secondary world.
The book opens with a bang. Our main character, Mingshin, is murdered by her fiancé, who turns out to have been manipulating and using her to gain the throne. But she is granted a second chance by a mysterious force when her life is rewound and it's as if the last two years didn't happen, but she still remembers everything that happened. This time she's determined to get things right, and to make sure her murderous fiancé and treacherous family don't harm her or her family, and if a little revenge happens along the way, all the better.
I don't think I would have liked this nearly as much without the speculative do-over element of Mingshin getting another chance to get things right. That really added a fun element to the story that helped with character growth, intrigue, and the revenge plot. Without it, the story would have felt a lot more commonplace to me. It also got kind of bonkers towards the end with the fantastical elements. This also appears to be the first book in a series, if that ending is anything to go by. Lots of things left up in the air.
Natalie Naudus, as always, does a great job with her narration. You're always safe in her hands.
February 22, 2024
A Bright Heart was exactly the kind of book I needed when I was a teen reader: equal parts romantic and action-packed with a strong-willed FMC and a dash of magic. But while I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I couldn’t help but feel just a *little* unsatisfied in the end.
The thing I loved most about A Bright Heart was how unabashedly it leaned into traditional Chinese palace drama tropes. Everything, from the resurrection magic to the warring princes vying for the throne felt pulled straight out of my favorite Chinese dramas. Chenli does a fantastic job encapsulating that palace drama essence and distilling it down to a YA audience, and while the writing itself was not the most sophisticated or flowery, it successfully conveyed all the right imagery and vibes. C-drama lovers, particularly teen ones, will absolutely eat this book up–I certainly did!
Along these lines, I think most of my enjoyment of this book derived from just how much I vibed with its palace drama inspiration and source material. My love for dramas aside, A Bright Heart has all the hallmarks of an up-market YA fantasy book: a fierce and intelligent FMC, a charming and slightly rougish love interest, and plenty of action. While I think this book leaned a bit too generic for readers looking for a more innovative and unique take on Asian fantasy (like Joan He’s Strike the Zither), I think it’s perfect for the teen reader. A Bright Heart nails the “YA” part in YA fantasy by throwing in tons of familiar fantasy elements and court politics without making them overcomplicated or too complex.
However, the “YA”-ness of this book was also its biggest pitfall for me. I’d had A Bright Heart marketed to me as an epic Chinese fantasy, so with buzzy language like that, I’d anticipated something more upper-YA or crossover. However, A Bright Heart is firmly lower YA. There’s nothing wrong with this–I know when I was a “true” YA/teen reader this would have been one of my favorite books of the year–, but I think my expectations were unfortunately distorted by the marketing. While the book hit all the YA fantasy plot points, I was constantly left wishing for more complexity in both the characters and plots. For as smart as Mingshin (FMC) is, everything just seemed too convenient at times. This is definitely more of a “me” issue, and I know that younger YA readers will love this book to the extent that I wanted to.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book; it definitely satisfied my craving for Chinese palace fantasy. While some aspects left me wanting just a little more, I know that for the right audience A Bright Heart is the perfect book for them!
3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The thing I loved most about A Bright Heart was how unabashedly it leaned into traditional Chinese palace drama tropes. Everything, from the resurrection magic to the warring princes vying for the throne felt pulled straight out of my favorite Chinese dramas. Chenli does a fantastic job encapsulating that palace drama essence and distilling it down to a YA audience, and while the writing itself was not the most sophisticated or flowery, it successfully conveyed all the right imagery and vibes. C-drama lovers, particularly teen ones, will absolutely eat this book up–I certainly did!
Along these lines, I think most of my enjoyment of this book derived from just how much I vibed with its palace drama inspiration and source material. My love for dramas aside, A Bright Heart has all the hallmarks of an up-market YA fantasy book: a fierce and intelligent FMC, a charming and slightly rougish love interest, and plenty of action. While I think this book leaned a bit too generic for readers looking for a more innovative and unique take on Asian fantasy (like Joan He’s Strike the Zither), I think it’s perfect for the teen reader. A Bright Heart nails the “YA” part in YA fantasy by throwing in tons of familiar fantasy elements and court politics without making them overcomplicated or too complex.
However, the “YA”-ness of this book was also its biggest pitfall for me. I’d had A Bright Heart marketed to me as an epic Chinese fantasy, so with buzzy language like that, I’d anticipated something more upper-YA or crossover. However, A Bright Heart is firmly lower YA. There’s nothing wrong with this–I know when I was a “true” YA/teen reader this would have been one of my favorite books of the year–, but I think my expectations were unfortunately distorted by the marketing. While the book hit all the YA fantasy plot points, I was constantly left wishing for more complexity in both the characters and plots. For as smart as Mingshin (FMC) is, everything just seemed too convenient at times. This is definitely more of a “me” issue, and I know that younger YA readers will love this book to the extent that I wanted to.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed this book; it definitely satisfied my craving for Chinese palace fantasy. While some aspects left me wanting just a little more, I know that for the right audience A Bright Heart is the perfect book for them!
3.5/5 stars, rounded up to 4
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for the e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 30, 2023
I could not put this down. I mean I HAD to because I had to work but I took it with me when I went out of town. Then I read it on the way home, too!
Mingshin's journey from death to life put me in the mood for a villainess story. This part isn't a spoiler because it's in the description that she's murdered.
I read a lot of reincarnated-as-the-villainess light novels and A Bright Heart is perfect for fans of My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to DOOM; The 7th Time Loop; I'm the Villainess So I'm Taming the Final Boss. The fact that Mingshin remembers what happened in her previous life really made me happy. I'm not the biggest fan of the ever-present amnesia arc that a lot of light novels do!
Mingshin's strength is in her kindness and generosity. Her love for her servants -- whom she treats like family -- gives her the strength to stand up against those who would hurt them. She guards her heart.
I felt like I was there! In the whole story! Like I was some sneaky person just hiding all over the place watching this unfold. I could feel the breezes and see the sun shining through the leaves of the trees. I could smell the foods (which made me want to eat them) it was so emotive!
I'm ready for the sequel!
This book is FANTASTIC. I didn’t want it to END!
Mingshin's journey from death to life put me in the mood for a villainess story. This part isn't a spoiler because it's in the description that she's murdered.
I read a lot of reincarnated-as-the-villainess light novels and A Bright Heart is perfect for fans of My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to DOOM; The 7th Time Loop; I'm the Villainess So I'm Taming the Final Boss. The fact that Mingshin remembers what happened in her previous life really made me happy. I'm not the biggest fan of the ever-present amnesia arc that a lot of light novels do!
Mingshin's strength is in her kindness and generosity. Her love for her servants -- whom she treats like family -- gives her the strength to stand up against those who would hurt them. She guards her heart.
I felt like I was there! In the whole story! Like I was some sneaky person just hiding all over the place watching this unfold. I could feel the breezes and see the sun shining through the leaves of the trees. I could smell the foods (which made me want to eat them) it was so emotive!
I'm ready for the sequel!
This book is FANTASTIC. I didn’t want it to END!
June 1, 2025
6 stars
first of all, look at the spread of this stunning cover illustration by sija hong:
(click for inprnt)
i'm happy to report that the cover fits the content. this is another book where i can't believe it's a debut novel and how timely i read this now because the sequel releases in half a month! a bright heart features tons of "good for her" revenge moments that i absolutely relished. readers who enjoyed daughter of the moon goddess by sue lynn tan will enjoy a bright heart. the love interests have almost everything i loved about xingyin and liwei. it's the same star-crossed lovers tale of a powerful prince who is destined for the throne and a regular-yet-exceptional woman fighting for her life and the lives of the people she loves. external forces, like a king who reviles magic, constantly try to keep them apart yet they are always drawn to one another. shin'ar is a phenomenal main character: smart, headstrong, tough, empathetic, and determined. her love interest is almost like an arrogant jock stereotype if you don't scratch beneath the surface. it took me a long time to warm up to him because there wasn't much substance to him. however once i did, i saw some of his golden retriever boyfriend qualities. all ingredients that i love in an wuxia/xanxia novel!
i wish more time was spent on establishing a stronger relationship that wasn't rooted in trauma bonding. i wanted them to have more banter, more deep conversations, and more things to connect them other than relying on outer circumstances to be saviors for one another. similarly to daughter of the moon goddess, when the topic about the future of their relationship finally came up, i didn't like how he dismissed her valid concerns as if to say love would be enough to conquer court politics that she is not prepared for nor wants to be a part of. she's not a diplomat. i understand he really wants to be with her but he also wants the throne so i'm interested in seeing how this dynamic plays out in the sequel.
one of the things kate chenli does best in this novel are all of the female friendships. i was shipping fei (her bodyguard) with shin'ar for the longest time but i'm still happy to report that there are still sapphics. i also liked how the ending played out because i went into this knowing there would be a sequel and was worried it would heavily feature slow court politics in the next installment. that most likely will not be the case and i hope we stick to the fast-paced action from the point-of-view of a solid female protagonist, in addition to things that can improve that i previously mentioned. i strongly recommend readers add this to their tbr's if they enjoy new adult wuxia/xanxia novels with satisfying revenge plot points and full of court politics that isn't too complicated for the reader to follow. i hybrid read this physically with the audiobook and natalie naudus did a wonderful job (as usual)! i look forward to reading more from kate chenli!
---
cover artist: sija hong
"When a kind heart is directed at the right people, it's strength, not weakness."
first of all, look at the spread of this stunning cover illustration by sija hong:
(click for inprnt)
i'm happy to report that the cover fits the content. this is another book where i can't believe it's a debut novel and how timely i read this now because the sequel releases in half a month! a bright heart features tons of "good for her" revenge moments that i absolutely relished. readers who enjoyed daughter of the moon goddess by sue lynn tan will enjoy a bright heart. the love interests have almost everything i loved about xingyin and liwei. it's the same star-crossed lovers tale of a powerful prince who is destined for the throne and a regular-yet-exceptional woman fighting for her life and the lives of the people she loves. external forces, like a king who reviles magic, constantly try to keep them apart yet they are always drawn to one another. shin'ar is a phenomenal main character: smart, headstrong, tough, empathetic, and determined. her love interest is almost like an arrogant jock stereotype if you don't scratch beneath the surface. it took me a long time to warm up to him because there wasn't much substance to him. however once i did, i saw some of his golden retriever boyfriend qualities. all ingredients that i love in an wuxia/xanxia novel!
i wish more time was spent on establishing a stronger relationship that wasn't rooted in trauma bonding. i wanted them to have more banter, more deep conversations, and more things to connect them other than relying on outer circumstances to be saviors for one another. similarly to daughter of the moon goddess, when the topic about the future of their relationship finally came up, i didn't like how he dismissed her valid concerns as if to say love would be enough to conquer court politics that she is not prepared for nor wants to be a part of. she's not a diplomat. i understand he really wants to be with her but he also wants the throne so i'm interested in seeing how this dynamic plays out in the sequel.
one of the things kate chenli does best in this novel are all of the female friendships. i was shipping fei (her bodyguard) with shin'ar for the longest time but i'm still happy to report that there are still sapphics. i also liked how the ending played out because i went into this knowing there would be a sequel and was worried it would heavily feature slow court politics in the next installment. that most likely will not be the case and i hope we stick to the fast-paced action from the point-of-view of a solid female protagonist, in addition to things that can improve that i previously mentioned. i strongly recommend readers add this to their tbr's if they enjoy new adult wuxia/xanxia novels with satisfying revenge plot points and full of court politics that isn't too complicated for the reader to follow. i hybrid read this physically with the audiobook and natalie naudus did a wonderful job (as usual)! i look forward to reading more from kate chenli!
---
cover artist: sija hong
March 17, 2024
Lektorka cierpiała od początku do końca, ale książka wynagrodziła to dobrą fabułą
September 19, 2023
As a long time lover of the fantasy genre I’m always on the lookout for unique, Asian fantasies to devour—and this book provided me exactly that.
A bright heart is so much more than your typical fantasy. It encompasses the same magic and comfort of it, of course, but it also sets a backdrop for an utterly unique story of a girl who defies death, and uses her second life to seek vengeance on her murderer. From the addictive, high stakes plot to the most wonderfully fleshed out main character, this book was probably one of the best books I’ve read all year. I adored every page and I highly recommend you give this a read! Thank you so much to Union Square and Co. for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! A BRIGHT HEART releases OCT 17th and deserves a definite 5/5 stars.
A bright heart is so much more than your typical fantasy. It encompasses the same magic and comfort of it, of course, but it also sets a backdrop for an utterly unique story of a girl who defies death, and uses her second life to seek vengeance on her murderer. From the addictive, high stakes plot to the most wonderfully fleshed out main character, this book was probably one of the best books I’ve read all year. I adored every page and I highly recommend you give this a read! Thank you so much to Union Square and Co. for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! A BRIGHT HEART releases OCT 17th and deserves a definite 5/5 stars.
May 20, 2023
i'm literally the first review and i feel kinda bad bringing the entire rating down to 3 stars but i did what i had to. i don't really write reviews so i'm going to briefly list the things i had problems with.
1) in the authors note a slow burn romance is advertised. it was maybe 1% slow burn.
2) the word building was ok, but a lot of it was achieved by info dumps during dialogue, making the characters rattle off facts that someone would never say during a normal conversion. on that note some of the characters reactions to things seemed cartoonish as the author would simply use exclamation points and have them storm off.
3) a lot of the chapters felt like they were cut off in the wrong place? it was almost like the author initally wrote the book without separating it into chapters and then just chopped it up without checking how it flowed.
4) the main premise of the book is the MC going back in time, now in a timeline different then her previous life. i would have liked more flashbacks and the author having explored the MC's emotions about having to pretend she's meant to be in this timeline (instead of her blinding accepting it).
5) the plot only truly gets going in the last few chapters.
overall it wasn't bad as a debut novel and i will say i enjoyed reading it. i think this book has potential and could become quite an epic fantasy if everything was fleshed out and edited more.
1) in the authors note a slow burn romance is advertised. it was maybe 1% slow burn.
2) the word building was ok, but a lot of it was achieved by info dumps during dialogue, making the characters rattle off facts that someone would never say during a normal conversion. on that note some of the characters reactions to things seemed cartoonish as the author would simply use exclamation points and have them storm off.
3) a lot of the chapters felt like they were cut off in the wrong place? it was almost like the author initally wrote the book without separating it into chapters and then just chopped it up without checking how it flowed.
4) the main premise of the book is the MC going back in time, now in a timeline different then her previous life. i would have liked more flashbacks and the author having explored the MC's emotions about having to pretend she's meant to be in this timeline (instead of her blinding accepting it).
5) the plot only truly gets going in the last few chapters.
overall it wasn't bad as a debut novel and i will say i enjoyed reading it. i think this book has potential and could become quite an epic fantasy if everything was fleshed out and edited more.
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