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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
Wanted to absolutely hit someone with their sexism and racism, and I loved her rants to
Kind of sad
Would recommend to people
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, 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
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
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide
Graphic: Gore, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Colonisation
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Violence, Suicide attempt, Abandonment
Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, Cannibalism
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility, Cannibalism
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Sexual assault, Blood, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Infertility, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts