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sgtz00's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Addiction, and War
Moderate: Self harm and Drug use
thyprincess'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
5.0
While The Poppy War took its time with the world-building and painting of the different forces driving The Nikara Empire and its long-seated strife, The Dragon Republic delves deeper into these characters. The book delivers more discussions on war strategies, political plays, and the sacrifices people are willing to take for the sake of power and their idea of stability. It is heart-pounding and gripping, and one will be thankful for the sparse moments of rest in between all the action.
Character's change, for better or worse, as the aftermath of the Third Poppy War takes its toll on our young soldiers. As our protagonist, Rin, faces psychological battles, those around her, too, grapple with the new roles they have taken up for this civil war. There is bitterness, grief, and rage - so much rage - that fuels them to take actions that cannot even be morally debated on.
This sequel shines with its delivery, and its status as a 5-star read was only cemented by its insane last few chapters. I am excited and terrified to read the conclusion to this trilogy, which will, regardless, bring me to my knees in tears again.
Graphic: War
Moderate: Rape, Death, Blood, and Colonisation
potion96'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
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Violence, War, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Vomit, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Addiction, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Ableism, Colonisation, Rape, Animal death, Misogyny, Alcohol, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Panic attacks/disorders
danaslitlist'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
4.5
The Dragon Republic is a book that had the incredibly difficult job of coming after The Poppy Wars, which is (in my humble opinion) one of the best "first books" in a trilogy from the way the world building and politics is set up to the characterization and plot. That means that TDR was in the tricky situation of not only needing to hold my attention like The Poppy Wars, but also had to carry on from the emotional devastation that we ended with in book one. Maybe, just maybe that's why I was hesitant to pick up The Dragon Republic and why it's sat on my shelf for half a year (well that, and I was terrified of RF Kuang's ability to emotionally devastate me).
Regardless, I'm extremely happy to report that The Dragon Republic not only held up against book one, it met the challenge of being BETTER. It was an agonizing and frustrating read that had me getting up to pace angrily around my room while sending various voice memos and rants to a dear friend. And it took me twelve days of solid reading in order to finish reading because of this. And, I would've have had it any other way. The frustration with Rin and company was so GOOD it was BAD and then good again. I couldn't fault the characters because it all made sense within the book. Every time a character makes a bad decision it is in line with who they are and you can't really be upset about that.
More than anything I truly believe that RF Kuang is incredibly talented in the way she writes about war and conflict. There are so many times throughout The Dragon Republic where she purposefully places seeds of doubt and unease about which side is truly the "heroes" regarding a civil war. Especially in discussion of class, race, religions and political power we see an exploration of the beneficiaries of war.
I mentioned this in another review for a book I read within the last two months where I said that every book I pick up lately has me thinking back to Palestine and how reading is always a political statement. This is even more true when it comes to books that center rebellion and revolution. I was not able to separate the events in The Dragon Republic from what is currently going on in Palestine (as well as in the Sudan and the Congo). The use of political instability and war in order to ascend to power, the class and political power division, the colonization and degradation of marginalized people due to their race and religion.
I can't wait to start Burning Gods and feel even more emotionally raw and destroyed. Thanks RF Kuang.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Addiction, Murder, Gaslighting, Rape, Emotional abuse, War, and Drug abuse
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Self harm
dinodina'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
3.5
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, and Violence
hailstorm3812'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
4.0
Graphic: Genocide, Addiction, Rape, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Torture, Sexual assault, Racism, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Vomit, Death, War, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Grief, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Child death, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and Abortion
naniaunruh's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: War, Racism, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape
obtoosegoose'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
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Drug abuse, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Physical abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, Suicide, Child death, and Medical trauma
laura_with_a_u'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? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Rape and War
alex_salamander'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: Drug abuse, Sexism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, War, Addiction, Body horror, Death of parent, Genocide, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Vomit, Alcohol, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Classism, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic friendship, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Excrement, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, and Bullying
Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, and Cannibalism