actualophelia's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
For a book whose story I feel like I understand so little, it really manages to hit something. Not sure what my emotional reaction is, but it's sure something!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gun violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Alcohol, Confinement, Medical content, and Terminal illness
tylawrencium's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The first half of the book is a bit of a slog--you're spending a lot of time with a main character whose main personality traits are laziness and (I would describe it as) misogyny. Luo Ji just isn't as compelling or complex of a central character as Ye Wenjie was in the first novel.
That said, once things really start moving halfway through, the plot picks up and the book dives again into the big-picture, sci-fi/sociological ideas that Cixin Liu is so brilliant for. The payoff is definitely worth it, but this one is more of a slog than the first book to get there.
That said, once things really start moving halfway through, the plot picks up and the book dives again into the big-picture, sci-fi/sociological ideas that Cixin Liu is so brilliant for. The payoff is definitely worth it, but this one is more of a slog than the first book to get there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, War, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Terminal illness and Car accident
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