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anootamei'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ringofkeyz'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
Equally as well done was the depiction of desperation during war time. Rin's descent into instability over the course of this book, whether through the power of the Phoenix or her own paranoia, was almost infectious. I couldn't help but continue reading, wanting to see if she would overcome her demons or succumb to them. And wondering, if she succumbed, would she bring Kitay down with her?
My main criticism of this trilogy (and the reason this book isn't 5 stars) is because of the temporal displacement the dialogue creates. This is a book that is HISTORICAL fiction. While the war draws inspiration from the Second Sino-Japanese War (thus the WW2 era), the setting is based on the Song Dynasty, which ended in the late 1200s. However, the dialogue always felt modern. I could walk outside and hear people talking in the same manner as Rin, Nezha, Kitay, and everyone else in the novel. That disconnect is my one major nitpick about this trilogy, and this book in particular because I loved pretty much everything else.
Shoutout Martina for recommending this trilogy to me. I'm in your debt.
Graphic: Gore, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual assault, and Classism
Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cannibalism
theoceanrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
connormdavy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
bewkgummywerm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Genocide, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, and Colonisation
mysamcatfan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug use, Blood, Kidnapping, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
saturnsheart'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? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
apersonfromflorida'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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Cannibalism
Minor: Animal death, Sexual violence, and Abortion
chlschn's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
flora_arns's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I fear this one fell just a little short of its predecessors, but still a strong 4 stars. It was more difficult to follow and distracted at times, only for the most intriguing plot to be introduced in the last few chapters (really, I could read another book entirely about that), but still, what an amazing story. And the ending felt… right.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Religious bigotry