Liang and the Magic Paintbrush is a Chinese folktale that tells the story of a young boy named Liang who discovers a magic paintbrush that brings his drawings to life. In the tale, Liang is a poor orphan who lives in a small village. One day, he comes across an old man who is being bullied by a group of ruffians. Liang intervenes and helps the old man escape, earning his gratitude. To show his gratitude, the old man gives Liang a paintbrush and tells him that it is a magic brush. The old man explains that whatever Liang paints with the brush will come to life.
The plot if full of action and fairly fast paced. It deals with secrets on all sides and is a bit funny at times, though I do think Asher was trying to hard to incorporate humor and pop culture references.
I really hate that trope, when in my opinion, if you are somewhat of a shitty character to start, the only way to redeem yourself is through actions, so I guess we will see in later books if he does especially to my standards of redemption. It deals with secrets on all sides and is a bit funny at times, though I do think Asher was trying to hard to incorporate humor and pop culture references.
The old man explains that whatever Liang paints with the brush will come to life. Liang is skeptical at first but decides to give it a try. He begins to paint a bowl of rice, and to his surprise, the rice appears on the paper and becomes real.
The Bone Witch (The Osseous Chronicles #1) by Ivy Asher
I never thought in a million years that the bones would choose me.
The power, the magic, was supposed to go to someone else in the family. I was counting on it.
But now my Grammy Ruby is gone, and here the bones sit on my kitchen table.
I thought bitter relatives would be my biggest problem. But I’ve barely had time to find a familiar before trouble comes a-knocking. The kind that possesses smoldering green eyes and a smile that can turn any woman dumb.
His name is Rogan Kendrick, and he’s certain that someone is hunting down and taking my kind.
According to him, I’m next.
This is a world that I never wanted to be a part of, but magic gives no fucks and takes no prisoners… At least we have that much in common.
I don’t know what my ancestors were thinking when they chose me, but I’m going to give them a run for their money. My name is Lennox Osseous, but you can call me the Bone Witch.
Overall I liked this book. It seemed a bit more mature and complex than Ivy Asher’s usual books, which I appreciated. Lennie is surprisingly chosen as next in line to be the Bone Witcher. She has never taken her education and schooling on the subject seriously, because why would the bones choose her when her know it all cousin exists? Low and behold, Lennie is now the head of the Osseous line and has to navigate learning her new powers in a world she doesn’t know much about and facing a crisis.
Lennie is pretty scrappy of a character, though I found her lack of interest in her family’s work a little annoying. She has a very interesting family dynamic, which was quite entertaining, and while I did find her a bit annoying and naive at times, she was overall a fun, enjoyable character to read about.
I really don’t like Rogan. He did some shady things and then the Asher wrote ‘excuses’ for him as if that makes it all okay. I really hate that trope, when in my opinion, if you are somewhat of a shitty character to start, the only way to redeem yourself is through actions, so I guess we will see in later books if he does (especially to my standards of redemption.)
The plot if full of action and fairly fast paced. It deals with secrets on all sides and is a bit funny at times, though I do think Asher was trying to hard to incorporate humor and pop culture references.
The book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger so I am dying to see what happens next. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. Let me know what you guys think of the book!
The book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger so I am dying to see what happens next. This book is available on Kindle Unlimited. Let me know what you guys think of the book!
Liang is overjoyed and realizes the potential of the brush. With his newfound power, Liang starts to paint things that will benefit his village and those in need. He paints a feast for the hungry, a house for a beggar, and beautiful flowers and trees for the villagers to enjoy. Liang's paintings make a positive impact on the lives of others, and he becomes known as a hero. Word of Liang's magic paintbrush spreads, and soon the evil Emperor learns of it. He decides to steal the brush for himself and commands his soldiers to find Liang. When they track him down, Liang cleverly uses the brush to escape their clutches. He paints a giant wave that washes away the soldiers and flees to safety. Realizing the danger of the magic brush falling into the wrong hands, Liang decides to use it to benefit the greater good. He paints a beautiful garden for the Emperor, hoping to change his heart. The Emperor is awed by the garden and realizes the error of his ways. He promises to be a just ruler and returns the magic brush to Liang. Liang continues to use the magic paintbrush to help others, but he also learns the responsibility of using its power wisely. The tale of Liang and the Magic Paintbrush teaches the importance of compassion, kindness, and the value of using one's talents for the betterment of others..
Reviews for "Liang's magical world: the wonders of the paintbrush"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was expecting something more from "Liang and the Magic Paintbrush", but it fell short of my expectations. While the concept of a magic paintbrush sounds intriguing, the story itself felt underdeveloped and rushed. The character development was lacking, and I found it difficult to connect with Liang or feel invested in his journey. Additionally, the pacing of the story was off, with some scenes dragging on while others felt too hurried. Overall, I was disappointed by the execution of this book.
2. Emily - 3/5 stars - "Liang and the Magic Paintbrush" had an interesting premise and beautiful illustrations, but I felt like something was missing. The story lacked depth and didn't explore the potential of the magic paintbrush as much as I had hoped. The plot felt predictable, and I wasn't surprised or intrigued by the events that unfolded. While the illustrations were lovely, they couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. I was left wanting more from this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found "Liang and the Magic Paintbrush" to be quite cliche and uninspiring. The story followed a predictable path, and the characters felt like generic stereotypes. The illustrations were colorful, but they couldn't compensate for the lack of originality in the plot. I was hoping for a more imaginative and engaging tale, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a unique and captivating read.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed by "Liang and the Magic Paintbrush". The story was dull and lacked any real excitement. The characters were one-dimensional, and I couldn't find any reason to care about what happened to them. The magic paintbrush element felt forced and contrived, with no real explanation or exploration of its capabilities. Overall, this book was a major letdown, and I can't understand the positive reviews it has received.