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ashthigs7'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
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
chrisb913's review
- 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
There were two major cons for me though. One was the rampant misogyny throughout. The "villains" were open about it but even the heroes had it shine through from time to time either in actions or inner monologuing. Also, around the 55%-75% mark the story feels like it comes to a screeching halt to slog through some muck. It does pick up and ends on a high note.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Rape, and Sexual assault
chasinggrace's review
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
The culture that the author creates is masterful and the world is lush. If you take the time to understand the intricacies of this land and its people, you’ll be transported.
However, it’s clear that this book is to be seen as a tool for world-building. While the pacing isn’t bad, the middle of the novel is bogged down with details - names, battles, animals, locations, places, gods, etc - that slow down the plot. I found this book difficult to want to pick up at times, because it isn’t something to be consumed lightly. There is a need to constantly remind myself of who is who, where everyone is, which god rules which state, what city is where, etc. Many characters are introduced just to be killed, but such is the matter of war.
Overall, I’m interested to see where this story goes, but I hope the next books are more intriguing than a war & peace play-by-play. I hope to feel more attached to the characters, hopefully through more intricate relationships. This was a slow-burn labor of love to read.
Favorite characters I hope to see explored in the following books: Jia, Gin, Kuni
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Self harm, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
aloy's review
- 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: Animal death, Death, Suicide, Violence, and War
blacksphinx'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: Animal death, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Excrement, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
There is lots of talk of forcing women into sexual slavery. Eye injuries.paperbacktiger'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
4.5
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Rape
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
This is an incredible novel that shows so many complex characters. It has such a vast world that leaves you desperately wanting to explore more of it.
The book seemed quite daunting when I tried reading the physical copy. I think I kept letting the size of the book and the small print intimidate me...so I switched over to my ereader and stopped stressing. I'm so glad that I didn't end up DNF-ing and was able to fully experience the ups and downs in this amazing story.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and War
nquinlan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Sexism, Suicide, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Infertility, Trafficking, and Death of parent
mandkips's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, and Grief
catapocalypse'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
This first entry in the Dandelion Dynasty is like a prologue for the rest of the series, in that it focuses on the events that first unify Dara and deals with the generation prior to the central characters of the rest of the books. I don't consider this a weakness; it's an adventurous read as we follow the mighty warrior Mata Zyndu and the cunning gangster-turned-government official-turned-rebel Kuni Garu, and the rise and fall and rebirth of empire. It's an epic fantasy and silkpunk treatment of events in Chinese history leading to the rise of the Han Dynasty, and it's a whole lot of fun.
There's valid criticism about the women and lack thereof in much of the book, which is essentially what prevents it from a full 5 stars for me. I love Gin Mazoti, like Risana and Mira a lot (but they could have had more "screen time!"), but something about Jia is still off, for me. I'm not entirely sure how to articulate it; maybe it's that she becomes too reactive after starting out so strong and proactive?
I look forward to rereading the next installment, and then finishing the series.
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Violence, and War
Minor: Animal death, Grief, and Death of parent