angrybookclub's review against another edition
5.0
But eventually, you'll have to ask yourself precisely what you're fighting for. And you'll have to find a reason to live past vengeance.
I’ll keep this as short as possible and will try my best to make it spoiler-free but if you haven’t read Poppy War yet, please avert your eyes <3 And read Poppy war! <3
Altan maybe gone, but Rin sees him every time she closes her eyes.
In this book, Rin is forced to come to terms with the consequences of her divine outburst. As the new leader of the Cike, she paves her way to Daji to avenge Altan but on her way she’s forced to make some harsh choices and difficult allies. The writing in this was incredible as always. Kuang has a way of connecting you to characters you’ve known even briefly. The progression of Rin and her powers alongside the plot is steadily interesting. I’m dreading going into the 3rd and last book knowing it’ll be the end of this world.
I’ll keep this as short as possible and will try my best to make it spoiler-free but if you haven’t read Poppy War yet, please avert your eyes <3 And read Poppy war! <3
Altan maybe gone, but Rin sees him every time she closes her eyes.
In this book, Rin is forced to come to terms with the consequences of her divine outburst. As the new leader of the Cike, she paves her way to Daji to avenge Altan but on her way she’s forced to make some harsh choices and difficult allies. The writing in this was incredible as always. Kuang has a way of connecting you to characters you’ve known even briefly. The progression of Rin and her powers alongside the plot is steadily interesting. I’m dreading going into the 3rd and last book knowing it’ll be the end of this world.
sara_maher's review against another edition
2.0
That was disappointing. I loved TPW but this was slow, zero character growth, all bonding relationships with Rin are with male characters from friendship to mentor to rivalry to everything. Rin is like an angry brat, easily manipulated and she just lashes out and swears to have a voice. I understand the characters need to be unlikable given the topic, but she is beyond making-bad-decisions-due-to-tough-circumstances. There were some interesting parts especially the last 20% but overall was skimming most of the time.
ayshayodels's review against another edition
5.0
And after 3 grueling weeks... I finally finished The Dragon Republic
This series has consumed me in the best and worst way possible. I'm constantly on edge of everything going horribly and terribly wrong AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT TO THINK THAT. THOSE LAST 50 PAGES????? Rebecca Kuang. We need to talk.
This series has consumed me in the best and worst way possible. I'm constantly on edge of everything going horribly and terribly wrong AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT TO THINK THAT. THOSE LAST 50 PAGES????? Rebecca Kuang. We need to talk.
wxhere's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I dont know.. im like super invested but at the same time im not? Like ???
sometimesleelynnreads's review against another edition
kateabane2003's review against another edition
5.0
“Our dead don't leave us. They'll hunt you as long as you let them.”
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Alternatively:
I will never not be amazed at how dynamic and effed-up Kuang's characters are. This series does a spectacular job of portraying the inherent corruption of most political/militia leaders, RIN INCLUDED. LIKE SHE MAY BE A GIRLBOSS, BUT UMMMMMMMMMM REMEMBER THE GENOCIDE????AHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHA
Everyone finds themselves to be righteous in their cause, justifying war crimes for their own selfish, hidden agendas. You can go from loving to hating a character in a few pages, as they flip back and forth between friend and foe. Even the seemingly unforgivable enemies, such as the Federation soldiers and Su Daji, can draw sympathy through their eerily similar backstories to our protagonists. Oh how the turntables...
BTW...I would so read an entire prequel series about the Trifecta. Kuang plsssssss I BEG
Kuang does a great job at introducing the colonialism plotline previously hinted at in [b: The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137]. It makes for some great world expansion. I found the religious conflicts to be quite intriguing, which says a lot. Religion tends to be the subject matter I find most dull or overplayed in fantasy stories.
Now, I went through a whirlwind of emotions in this novel because of our dear friends/enemies/pieces of shit Atlan + Nezha. How did I experience the storylines? Well...
Me: Atlan you've been making me sob for the last 300 pages. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE????
Me, literally 20 pages later: KICK HIM IN THE BALLS RIN!!!! HE'S A BASTARD AND YOU KNOW IT!
Me, again, literally 20 pages later: OWO???? AHHHHHHH HE ONLY EVER WANTED TO BE HAPPY??? I AM SAD TOWN!
I went through a bad breakup before reading this, and it really shows oop.
Welp, Nezha, you have one more book to win me back. I hated you in the last one, really liked you in this one (for the most part), and the jury is still out for the finale. We shall just have to wait and see...
------------
Alternatively:
I will never not be amazed at how dynamic and effed-up Kuang's characters are. This series does a spectacular job of portraying the inherent corruption of most political/militia leaders, RIN INCLUDED. LIKE SHE MAY BE A GIRLBOSS, BUT UMMMMMMMMMM REMEMBER THE GENOCIDE????AHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAHA
Everyone finds themselves to be righteous in their cause, justifying war crimes for their own selfish, hidden agendas. You can go from loving to hating a character in a few pages, as they flip back and forth between friend and foe. Even the seemingly unforgivable enemies, such as the Federation soldiers and Su Daji, can draw sympathy through their eerily similar backstories to our protagonists. Oh how the turntables...
BTW...I would so read an entire prequel series about the Trifecta. Kuang plsssssss I BEG
Kuang does a great job at introducing the colonialism plotline previously hinted at in [b: The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137]. It makes for some great world expansion. I found the religious conflicts to be quite intriguing, which says a lot. Religion tends to be the subject matter I find most dull or overplayed in fantasy stories.
Now, I went through a whirlwind of emotions in this novel because of our dear friends/enemies/pieces of shit Atlan + Nezha. How did I experience the storylines? Well...
Me: Atlan you've been making me sob for the last 300 pages. WHY DID YOU HAVE TO DIE????
Me, literally 20 pages later: KICK HIM IN THE BALLS RIN!!!! HE'S A BASTARD AND YOU KNOW IT!
Me, again, literally 20 pages later: OWO???? AHHHHHHH HE ONLY EVER WANTED TO BE HAPPY??? I AM SAD TOWN!
I went through a bad breakup before reading this, and it really shows oop.
Welp, Nezha, you have one more book to win me back. I hated you in the last one, really liked you in this one (for the most part), and the jury is still out for the finale. We shall just have to wait and see...
edenabigail's review against another edition
5.0
The second book definitely took it up a few notches
memeganne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5