Review of (Blue Lotus One) From Utopia to UBI

[Omobolanle Savage]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "(Blue Lotus One) From Utopia to UBI" by Sophia Xiang.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Evil can only triumph when the forces of good fail to unite. UBI, a captivating nation located on the White Tiger Continent of the Blue Planet, serves as the backdrop for this enthralling tale. Within its borders, a rich culture and history flourish. A long time ago, Grandma Gloria vanished after sharing a poignant tale. Many years later, when Grandpa Apola wanted to go out before dawn as per his custom, he observed a rare blue moon and a blooming blue lotus glowing around the pond. Floating on the pond is a petal-shaped basket that housed a baby girl. He bestowed upon her the name Blue Lotus, and she grew into a resilient young woman with a passion for reading, ultimately becoming a revered soloist among her contemporaries. Unexpectedly, Pastor Simon, a human, and Isatis, a Proto, defied the ancient customs of Proto people and the machinations of demons to unite in marriage. Their union brought forth Cithara, a master of the moon harp. As Blue Lotus and Cithara grew closer, malevolent forces sought to undermine their bond. Why did the demons perceive their connection as a threat? The answers lie within the pages of Sophia Xiang's remarkable book, Blue Lotus: From Utopia to UBI.

Sophia exhibits great skill in crafting a vivid and immersive world. UBI, a utopian society inhabited by magical beings, stands as an embodiment of the author's imagination—a realm characterized by freedom, fairness, equality, and harmony. Although banished from the blue planet after a fierce conflict, the demons continue to lurk in the shadows. This initial installment of the series serves as a foundation, providing essential background information, character development, and plot progression. Be prepared for a tantalizing cliffhanger that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

The stories within the book evoke a sense of nostalgia, reminiscent of the folktales my mother used to tell me and my siblings during our childhood nights. Particularly, the tale of Bone Flute Yang, who traversed ninety-nine rivers and scaled ninety-nine mountains, resonates deeply. Similarly, the concept of Yin Yang brings to mind a recent Korean movie that explored the enchanting powers held by Yin Yang jade. Furthermore, "Heaven's Gate" conjures images of a renowned tourist destination in China.

Sophia imparts valuable lessons on communal living and the importance of helping others, ideals that have become foreign to modern society. I gained insights into the drug use theory of flavors, the up and down of drugs and the Meridian attributions. One quote from the book struck a chord with me: "Knowledge can be sought, but life experiences are encountered and cannot be sought out. Everyone interprets experiences differently, and even the same experience can have varying effects on different people" (Page 329, PDF Version).

As a descriptive storyteller, Sophia intricately paints vibrant settings, infusing them with a lively essence. Through her meticulous descriptions and masterful use of figurative language, she breathes life into her characters, making them leap off the pages. Her stories ignite the reader's imagination, making them feel like active participants in the unfolding narrative. Sophia's extensive research and boundless expertise are evident throughout this book. She is a master of her craft, and her knowledge base is vast and wide. Although there is a map of the Blue Planet and a list of characters at the beginning of the book, more illustrations of the characters and the creatures would have done much better.

However, I noticed some instances of repetition in both the Kindle and PDF versions. Additionally, a few errors were present. Furthermore, in certain instances where the author delved into a character's background story, the sheer volume of information overwhelmed me, detracting from the overall reading experience. I believe gradual character development throughout the story would have maintained reader engagement without inducing boredom. Despite the importance of these backstories, they did not influence my rating much. Lastly, the ending, while exciting, left me somewhat disappointed. Considering these factors and the errors I encountered, I rate this book four out of five stars.

I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to enthusiasts of Chinese folklore, avid fantasy readers, and those who appreciate enthralling fictional works with exceptional storylines and educational value.

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(Blue Lotus One) From Utopia to UBI
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[Ram Uday Mahajan]

Thank you for your detailed and captivating review of Blue Lotus: From Utopia to UBI. Sophia Xiang's skillful storytelling and vivid world-building truly make the book come alive. I appreciate your insights and agree that additional illustrations would enhance the reading experience.

[NetMassimo]

This seems like the start of an intriguing fantasy series with an engaging story and also a lot of food for thought concerning utopia that makes me curious. I'll look into this series. Thank you for your great review!