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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: 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
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
Sciona is an interesting character -- prickly and determined and talented and thoroughly wrapped in privilege that she can't see until something shocks her awareness loose, and even then, she struggles to reframe her worldview. It's very real. She's torn between her selfishness and an inherent sense of right and wrong. She remains selfish throughout, concerned with her legacy and her place in history -- but that's not entirely incompatible with taking action to challenge and upend an oppressive system. The book explores intersectionality through her lens: racially privileged, working class (but not totally impoverished), highly educated (thanks to family support and outside patronage), religious minority (but not apostate or, at first, heretical), and the victim of sexism. Two things can be true: She can be oppressed and an oppressor at the same time (and in that lens, her character is a not-at-all-subtle allegory for and indictment of white feminism). Watching Sciona negotiate that as she tries to find a way to make things better is intriguing because it spotlights how difficult the system makes change: Sciona doesn't know what she doesn't know; she doesn't have the experience to take other perspectives into account; she's benefitted from the system and could keep doing so even after she realizes what a trap that is.
I wish we spent more time in Tomil's POV. I was hoping for more of a back-and-forth, but instead he stays engimatic through most of the book.
The intersectional explorations are all worth chewing on, particularly for anyone who may be new to these concepts, but some of the discussions do go on for too long, retreading the same ground. This book probably could have been a bit tighter and shorter. The plot points are very spread out, separated by long philosophical discussions. If that's not your cup of tea, you may find that this book drags in places.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting
Given the patriarchal system in Bright Haven, I would have loved to see some more gender exploration there! I wouldn't be opposed to exploring a different, maybe gender non-conforming character in this same world in the future!
Graphic: Body horror, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Sciona was an inspiring character unwilling to be anything but herself but still adapting by the end to a hostile world. I thought she was naive. I still think she was but it became clear to me that it was meant to mirror our own naivety about our own social issues. Or our own unwillingness to see then as actual issues. This work has moved me in heart and mind. It struck a cord I’m not sure how to reconcile. Hope can mean sacrifice.
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation