Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

37 reviews

fabichirinos's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and Dysphoria

Moderate: War

augustar14's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book had been on my tbr list for a while before I read it. While I had high hopes for it, it ultimately didn't live up to them.
It's difficult for a book this long not to feel slow paced. There was plenty of action that got me through, but it still overall felt a little slow.
I also struggle with the main character and her actions/choices at times. I understand her motivations and that her situation is complex, difficult, and influenced by significantly different cultural beliefs. And, at the same time, it is painful to see her grow into the person she becomes. The parallels with the eunuch general are fascinating, and I do plan to at least try to read to sequel to see where that thread goes. His story and decisions are painful to follow, though, too. Overall, it is a difficult read, one that offers little reward for the suffering and pain it puts the reader through. It is not a happily ever after story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Medical content and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Excrement and Vomit

mirandyli's review against another edition

adventurous informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I became interested in reading this book after reading a review describing it as a mix between Mulan and The Song of Achilles. Boy did it live up to that. It's slow at times, but still a good read.

This book is a beautifully written historical fantasy that puts a twist on traditional gender roles and sexuality. Zhu Chongba was an actual Chinese emporer who was really married to Ma Xiuying. This book puts a spin on this, where Zhu Chongba is actually his sister pretending to be him, after she stole his identity as a child after he died. She almost gets caught a bunch of times, but her determination to reach her destiny overcomes.

Also, do you want to read about the disgusting bathing, pissing, and shitting habits of ancient Chinese monks? If not, skip the first quarter of the book. The book transports you to ancient China and spares no detail.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, Dysphoria, and War

eloisedoesread's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

• 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

3.5

Certainly epic, just not quite for me? Round 70% suddenly went very dark.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

thewitchwhoisabook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Grief, and Toxic friendship

rbeccamaec's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, and Abandonment

Minor: Animal death, Excrement, and Vomit

destynee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

All I have to say is: Exquisite you were right! This book gagged me from beginning to end. I tested up so many times that I’ve lost count. I loved meeting each new character and the alternating POV’s was perfect. It really made me feel for the characters more, especially Ouyang. Zhu is a real one and I can’t wait to have He Who Drowned The World in my hands.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Violence, Abandonment, and War

Moderate: Blood and Dysphoria

Minor: Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

adidooo's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Misogyny, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

leonormsousa's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

alexisgarcia's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• 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

4.0

i loved the characters and the relationship between the two main characters. the ending was such a perfect end to the story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism