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Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt
i absolutely flew through this book.
and i really liked the bluntness of it.
my main critizism is the limitations and faults in the worldbuilding.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Classism
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Child death, Chronic illness, Genocide, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
Cool magic system? Yes. Entertaining? Sure.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I think everyone should read this book. It is excellent commentary on so many real-world issues told through a riveting story of flawed, raw characters that you want to root for. Wang tackles racism—specifically against indigenous people—, colonization, collective liberation, hypocrisy in religion, corruption in government, "benevolent" complicity, white guilt/tears, and so much more with such finesse. She asks us all to grapple with the questions: what is the cost of our comforts, and what is the effect on our humanity of the denial of those costs?
The story is a page-turner the whole way through, and hooked me within the first chapter. The magic system is extremely unique and interesting, and the world-building is so well-done. Both are intricate without being hard to understand (plus a handy pocket guide is included in the back!). The series of events is realistic as it pertains to the world/characters and the IRL issues the story seeks to tackle.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Suicide, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War
Go read it!!
I still cannot put into words the way this book affected me. The premise sounds so simple, but it is interwoven with such complex issues and thoughts that are so brilliantly handled and discussed. The characters are so amazingly fleshed out and morally gray. They are understandable while also being frustrating. The magic system is unique and the world reflects so many different places and times we are familiar with.
It is amazing. Probably my top read of the year.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Colonisation, Classism, Deportation
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, Alcohol
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Colonisation
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt
This dark academia forces the reader to reflect on power and responsibility in a country where misogyny and racism are layered into society and justified through religious belief.
My favorite scene, edited slightly to shorten:
"I will not turn my eyes, though light burn me."
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Police brutality, Schizophrenia/Psychosis