dptillman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Loved the Asian setting and the martial arts. Also made me want to read more about Nanking. Think there were parts that were maybe too directly lifted from history for a fantasy setting and the second and third acts lost some focus/luster. But overall enjoyed the read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, War, and Rape
lavendermoons's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the world-building, turns out I love historical books! At least this one. I found myself sometimes annoyed by Rin, especially towards the ending. The second half was hard to stomach, it really shows how cruel, devastating and not black-and-white war really is. I would have loved more exploration of the side characters! Guess I have to read the second part of the series right away lol.
Spoiler
Especially Nezha's redemption arc was way too short, but something tells me he's not dead...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, War, and Death
Moderate: Torture
amirez1043's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Genocide, and Drug use
tafeeeeee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
vibingandy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Violence, Rape, Genocide, War, Forced institutionalization, Torture, and Racism
joepyeweed's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I don’t know how to feel about this book. I liked the characters and the school/martial arts part. But the genocide was too graphic.
I did appreciate the way the author balanced Rin’s character development; even though she becomes more and more morally grey and winds up committing terrible atrocities in war, somehow I still cared about her. If anything, the trajectory of becoming both more powerful and more traumatized made her a more compelling character. I didn’t always like her, but I am invested.
I did appreciate the way the author balanced Rin’s character development; even though she becomes more and more morally grey and winds up committing terrible atrocities in war, somehow I still cared about her. If anything, the trajectory of becoming both more powerful and more traumatized made her a more compelling character. I didn’t always like her, but I am invested.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Sexual violence, Blood, Death, Rape, Drug use, Gore, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Torture, Violence, and War
devils_spahn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, War, Drug use, and Genocide
thyprincess's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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
4.75
An incredibly strong debut, with vivid worldbuilding, interesting character dynamics, and a terribly depressing story of war amidst a magical fantasy world. Each chapter left me slack-jawed in shock, and my anxiety for the fates of our characters kept me turning pages.
I would have liked more exploration of character relationships, especially concerning the events of Part III. There was such a sudden tonal shift, perhaps to reflect the realities of war, but I felt like there should have been an appropriate reflection of Rin's investment in the relationships she's held throughout the book. Though her dilemmas are the main focus of the story, as the heroine, it would have made it more heartbreaking to see more of our other side characters, particularly those she spent time with in the academy. Though I surmise we will learn more from them in the succeeding novels, which I hear are even better than this.
Overall, a highly recommended book for anyone with the stomach and will to see it through. Be sure to heed the trigger warnings before you dive into the lands of Nikara.
I would have liked more exploration of character relationships, especially concerning the events of Part III. There was such a sudden tonal shift, perhaps to reflect the realities of war, but I felt like there should have been an appropriate reflection of Rin's investment in the relationships she's held throughout the book. Though her dilemmas are the main focus of the story, as the heroine, it would have made it more heartbreaking to see more of our other side characters, particularly those she spent time with in the academy. Though I surmise we will learn more from them in the succeeding novels, which I hear are even better than this.
Overall, a highly recommended book for anyone with the stomach and will to see it through. Be sure to heed the trigger warnings before you dive into the lands of Nikara.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Rape, and Child death
Moderate: Blood, Torture, Gore, and Genocide
Minor: Slavery and Colonisation
Spoiler
If you are particularly squeamish, best to skip Chapter 21 due to graphic violence, gore and moderate sexual assaultlyrapollock's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, War, Racism, Physical abuse, Murder, Gore, Death, Genocide, Drug abuse, Torture, Drug use, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Colonisation, War, Torture, Slavery, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Abandonment, Violence, Racism, Murder, Dementia, Child death, and Blood
grizzlysnack's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
The diction of this book was phenomenal. You're seeing Rin go through 5 years of her life and not feel like you're being rushed through a single moment in any given chapter.
Pacing was wonderfully done as well! As soon as you got a taste for what was about to happen, you're being punched in the gut with what's going on in front of your very eyes. And then you're asking another punch in the face.
The way that emotions are written in this book are beautifully composed. If you're not having the same feeling as a given character in this book, then you're going through your own emotions trying to understand how much cruelty, hatred, or anguish one character could hold inside or inflict on another.
Pacing was wonderfully done as well! As soon as you got a taste for what was about to happen, you're being punched in the gut with what's going on in front of your very eyes. And then you're asking another punch in the face.
The way that emotions are written in this book are beautifully composed. If you're not having the same feeling as a given character in this book, then you're going through your own emotions trying to understand how much cruelty, hatred, or anguish one character could hold inside or inflict on another.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Rape, and Genocide
Moderate: Death, Drug use, and Addiction
Minor: Animal cruelty, Vomit, and Infertility
This book is not a 'happy, feel good' read. There are chapters that will mentally drain you, and those chapters are based on real events in China, during World War II. Don't read this if you're in a bad headspace.