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Description
As the Butterfly Said to Chuang TzuThis is the exhibition catalogue for the solo show of Michael Zheng of the same title at Gallery MISSION17 in San Francisco, 2006. The show set out to let viewers question the nature of perception in light of phenomenological, cultural and political conditioning. It deliberately blurs the boundary between the art object and its context, questioning where the frame stops and where the art starts. This catalogue includes an essay by Clark Buckner on art
This is the exhibition catalogue for the solo show of Michael Zheng of the same title at Gallery MISSION17 in San Francisco, 2006. The show set out to let viewers question the nature of perception in light of phenomenological, cultural and political conditioning. It deliberately blurs the boundary between the art object and its context, questioning where the frame stops and where the art starts.
This catalogue includes an essay by Clark Buckner on art after Conceptualism, as well as the three reviews of this show in Sculpture Magazine, Artweek and the Shotgun Review by Terri Cohn, Colin Berry and Scott Oliver respectively.
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4.3 ★★★★★
Based on 830 reviews
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Just read it. You won’t regret it.
Format: Hardcover
This book completely blew me away. I loved every single character—not just the FMC and MMC, but the side characters too, which is rare. In a first book, side characters can feel flat while the focus is on world-building, but that definitely wasn’t the case here.
The romantic tension between the FMC and MMC was so good—seriously addictive. The plot itself felt pretty straightforward at first, and the world-building was easy to follow. It even gave me Heartless Hunter / Wolf King vibes… until the last 20 pages.
And wow—those final pages. I usually spot plot twists coming, and I thought this one was going to be predictable, but I was completely wrong. That ending genuinely shocked me—I haven’t had that reaction to a book in a long time.
I’m already counting down to book two (and that teaser chapter? Absolutely brutal).
Just read it. You won’t regret it.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026
★★★★★ 4
4 Stars for Now!
Format: Kindle
I DEVOURED this book. I was in a huge slump after reading a horrible series right before this but after 3 pages of this book, I was hooked. I read the whole book in 2 days. I think the author did an amazing job at writing an engaging story with an amazing twist at the end. I know many readers feel betrayed by the twist and find the narrator to be unreliable but I feel that the twist was done in a great unsuspecting way. Though I do feel betrayed, I think there is so much room for redemption in the second book!
The author also did an amazing job at world/character building. She was able to do so without interrupting the story which is one of my huge pet peeves. A lot of authors build by taking breaks in the plot or dialogue which I find choppy and disengaging but this author was able to build in an engaging way. There was some lack of world/character building but I think that was due to keeping reader in the dark. The world, politics, and characters were all very easy to understand.
I found the romance a little lackluster and a bit off-kilter. Some of it was really pushy and rushed which left a bad taste in my mouth. I do hope the author delves deeper into the romance in coming books.
The FMC was a breath of fresh air. She was not whiny or stuck-up like most books. She was never afraid to accept help from others but she was still able to shine with her intelligence. Not once did I think she made a poor decision just for the sake of a plot point. She was really easy to like. The MMC could use some work but I think that will happen more in coming books.
This is a MUST read, my only advice would be to wait until it is a finished series!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Need book 2 please :-)
Format: Kindle
From the very first chapter, Metal Slinger hooked me and refused to let go.
Set in a brutal, metal-bound world where power is carved from steel and survival depends on strength, strategy, and sheer will, this story follows a young woman forced into a dangerous system where control over metal isn’t just magic — it’s dominance, protection, and rebellion. When she’s pulled into escalating conflict and shifting alliances, she quickly learns that power always comes with a cost.
The magic system is sharp and immersive without being overwhelming. The way metal manipulation is woven into combat and politics makes every confrontation feel cinematic and high-stakes. It’s gritty, tense, and beautifully layered.
The Brynn, our FMC absolutely shines. She’s fierce but not untouchable, resilient without feeling unrealistic. Watching her navigate betrayal, survival, and the slow awakening of her own strength felt earned every step of the way. There’s grit in her fight scenes and vulnerability in her quieter moments that make her deeply human.
And the tension? Immaculate. The chemistry simmers under the surface before sparking into something electric. Every reluctant alliance, every charged interaction, every moment of “are they about to destroy each other or kiss?” had me flying through pages.
The pacing is relentless — no filler, no wasted scenes. Twists land hard. Stakes keep climbing. And that ending? Absolutely feral. The kind that leaves you staring at the wall for a minute before immediately checking when book two releases.
✨ Gritty metal-based magic
⚔️ High-stakes survival
🔥 Slow-burn tension
🖤 Fierce, layered heroine
💥 A finale that HITS (but cliffhanger!)
This is one of those fantasies that reminds you why you fell in love with the genre in the first place. If this is just Book One, I am more than ready to be emotionally wrecked again in the sequel.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Read this book! Then join our support group for the ending😜
While I’ve read some amazing books this year, it’s been awhile since I have completely devoured a book in less than 24 hours. This book was one I truly could not put down. I couldn’t fall asleep because I didn’t want to stop reading what happened next.
The way this book starts is one of my absolute favorite ways to fall into a story - with no preamble and immediate conspiring amongst characters.
Brynn has quickly become one of my new favorite FMCs. She is just so REAL. No whining or blaming her situation on everyone and everything else. She accepts her role in the world, but also holds a fierce determination to know the truth of that world. She is brave, yet terrified. Strong, yet self-conscious. She is cunning and intelligent and she doesn’t shy away from what is hard or allow emotion to overcome logic. I feel like she’s such a relatable character in everything that happens to her.
Then we have Kai…our commander and son of the leader. He’s got secrets. Big ones. And the amount of times my feelings for him flipped in this book is insane. I’m still honestly reeling…
Acker, my man…he’s mysterious, yet he doesn’t pull his punches. He’s loyal to a fault. He feels things deeply and he is fervent in his beliefs and desires. I adore him and yet want to shake him for the way he goes about making decisions and only sharing half truths. And right now my heart is aching for him and also terrified of him. When I say I need book 2 like I need water, that’s an understatement.
I don’t have space to discuss every side character, but just know that I love them deeply and they each have big personalities of their own.
The miscommunication honestly feels more like a necessity and less of a trope. The MCs don’t truly know one another, so of course there’s hesitancy to share everything with a stranger who has been somewhat forced upon you due to the situation you’ve both found yourself in. But it also is refreshing to watch them both learn to trust and communicate more and more as they go.
The world building was exciting and unique - unlike anything I’ve read before. The kingdoms and their systems and the unique magics all create this setting that is utterly perfect. I never felt confused, but could easily envision everything as it was explained in detail.
The slow burn and spice was paced so perfectly and realistically that it never felt weird or forced or annoying. It unfolds the way most normal relationships would (minus the magic and fantasy aspects). I truly cheered for our MCs and loved the way they finally came together.
This story takes all the tropes we know and love and twists them into something unique and entirely different than all the other stories we’ve grown used to. And when I tell you that you will NEVER see the plot twists coming, HOLY SMOKES BATMAN!
And the last 2 chapters took me ALL THE WAY OUT. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to be okay after that. I almost want to go back to chapter 55 and pretend the rest didn’t happen…but of course I can’t do that and now I’ll just be dying a little inside every day until I get my hands on book two!
If you enjoy fantasy or romantasy, this has to be your next read. All the rest can wait. Grab your copy YESTERDAY.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Outstanding book - A MUST READ
This is fantasy romance at its finest, and I couldn’t put it down from the moment I started. Packed with classic romantasy tropes that are done so well, especially my favorite: fated mates!
The world-building is both easy to digest and detailed enough to feel immersive. It strikes the perfect balance—not too vague but never overwhelming. The world is divided between several groups of people, and the story revolves around the Alaha, who live on the water, and the Kenta, who reside on land. For centuries, these two factions have maintained a fragile peace, but things take a sharp turn when our FMC, Brynn, threatens that peace right at the beginning of the book. What follows is a thrilling dive into a world of magic, rebellion, and secrets. I will say no more, because you should go into this book relatively blind to get the full experience.
Brynn, our FMC, is everything you could want in a lead. She’s smart, confident, and refuses to bow to threats. Then there’s the MMC, Acker. Scrumptious doesn’t even begin to cover it. The chemistry between him and Brynn is electric, and their dynamic had me grinning (and swooning) throughout.
This book has all the best romantasy tropes: forced proximity, slowest of slow burns, elemental magic, fated mates (done right), political intrigue, and plot twists you will not see coming! Each trope is executed masterfully, blending seamlessly into the story without feeling overdone. If these are your jam, you’ll absolutely love this book. Even if they are not usually your cup of tea, this book may change your mind.
While the pacing is fast and gripping overall, it does have a bit of a lull in the middle. That said, the ending more than made up for it—it left me gasping and desperate for the next book.
I think I said aloud, “What the hell just happened?” when I finished the last page. This book grabbed me by the neck and didn’t let go. It’s full of banter, twisty turns, and a delicious tension. Probably one of my favorite fantasy reads this year. I am going to be thinking about this book non-stop until book 2 is released!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024