riyakona's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Vomit, Body horror, Genocide, Grief, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, War, Torture, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Addiction, Violence, Confinement, Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Gore, Colonisation, Murder, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Religious bigotry, and Miscarriage
gryczalke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Man, we've got so much and lost even more.
Spoiler
i cried rivers when they killed Banji, Suni and then Ramsa, after all of the loss in this book I couldn't take it no more. That's why i love it and that why many loved Game of Throne; it's so real and unpredictable, just like real war.I gave it half star less then I gave TPW just because the book is, at least in my eyes, mainly about war but in other way than the firs book. Here it was kinda long and boring at times. And because
Spoiler
i fell in love with the idea of Yin Nezha and forgave him for all only for him to literally stab us all in the backGraphic: Sexual violence, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/injury detail, Drug abuse, Genocide, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit and Miscarriage
faroroshae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Confinement, Vomit, Torture, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Murder, Classism, Gaslighting, Blood, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Death, Racism, Religious bigotry, Gun violence, Child death, Violence, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Addiction, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Drug abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Abortion, Alcoholism, and Miscarriage
jelloreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Torture, Sexual violence, Death, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Rape, War, Violence, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Genocide
donatio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: War, Animal cruelty, Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Addiction, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Animal death, Body horror, Colonisation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Classism, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infertility, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
missbsbookshelf's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual violence, Grief, Murder, Violence, Gore, Torture, War, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Rape
kbremer23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Abandonment, Addiction, Classism, Confinement, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Infertility, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Alcohol
poisonivy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Rape, Violence, Drug use, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Torture, War, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Addiction, and Self harm
Moderate: Colonisation and Miscarriage
ainhoah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Abortion, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Injury/injury detail, Miscarriage, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, War, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cannibalism
artemisg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is set after the Third Poppy War, which ended in Rin’s mass destruction of an entire nation. It follows Rin and her team (the Cike my beloved) as they attempt to assassinate the Empress, who is more powerful than she appears. Eventually, Rin and the Cike join the so-called Dragon Republic in a revolution aiming to institute democracy. This book also introduces some Hesperian characters, inspired by the colonial British Empire and other Western forces of power. With the introduction of the monotheistic Hesperians, this book dives into theological debates. It gives readers a greater understanding of the belief systems of Nikan and Rin’s connection to her god. This book is full of assassination plots, political debates, and discussions of imperialism and power. The characters are betrayed and betray one another, forming friendships and lifelong bonds, and Rin becomes more and more powerful and dangerous.
The fear of madness was gone, but not the impossible power. The power remained, a deep well from which she could draw when she chose.
And now she could choose.
As with the first book, this book is evocative and powerful, and in addition, it makes you think about the morally grey areas of war and revolution we love to ignore. Kuang does not shy away from graphic depictions of war, death, torture, and rape, and she does not shy away from making Rin a complex, power-hungry, violent protagonist. This book surrounds civil wars and begins to bring into play the power battles between south and north Nikan, emphasising the power that Hesperia holds over the future of the Empire. It also emphasises the Hesperian dehumanisation of Nikara people, their dismissal of their religious beliefs, and their understanding of civilisation. The unfortunate historical accuracy of colonial mindsets was really powerful and important.
“A necessary experiment. We didn’t come here to lend ships at your will, Vaisra. This is an investigation.”
“Into what?”
“Whether the Nikara are ready for civilization.”
This book expanded on every character, making them into more well-rounded and sympathetic (or unsympathetic) people. Kitay remains supreme, and the Rin Nezha dynamic hit different, including the end. I remain in a contentious relationship with Rin, she’s just so powerful and cool that I can’t help but root for her, but sometimes she does stuff I cannot understand or forgive. I suppose that’s a testament to Kuang’s writing; she has truly perfected the morally grey protagonist. And that ending! I am rooting for Rin like never before.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Murder, Rape, and War
Minor: Miscarriage