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inkonherpages'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Racism
meliflowers'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
4.25
Kuang does not spare details when describing horrific events and actions. It was really hard to get through the graphic writings about the substance use abuse and PTSD. But once I did, the story rapidly moved along.
The trauma and pain of the characters aren't used as a prop for the story but are actually explored as consequences of war. Through the story, we explore the consequences of war to the mind and to the civilisation, how people with low socio economic status/ racial appearances are always exploited and sacrificed for the seemingly greater good and the role colonialism plays within war.
I could go on an endless rant to talk about all the aspects of the story which Kuang has clearly constructed carefully and thoughtfully. Some parts of the story did feel redundant (I assume it's meant to be a basis for the next book) and repetitive, however.
Regardless, it was still a really enjoyable book and although I want to start reading the next one immediately, for my own well-being I decided to wait it out a bit...
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Abortion, Murder, War, and Classism
Moderate: Classism
It's a heavy book that describes the consequences of war graphically. I do believe it's a great and insightful read but do be warned of the topics aforementioned.nicole0617's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
shalladin'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
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Classism
rowanbond's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
tkhenry99's review against another edition
3.75
the plot lines started getting a little redundant by the end.
also confused about what happens to the cike’s addictions….? the book explains rin’s but are we just supposed to assume everyone else had the same experience….? rin never asks them about it…..?
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
matcha_pages'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: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Genocide, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Abortion
Minor: Vomit
Just when you think you know what's happening, the Dragon Republic drops several truth bombs that change everything. R.F. Kuang isn't afraid of showing the brutal truth of power and the consequences of war. Most of the book describes the civil war between the Dragon Republic and the Empire's military, and it verges on too many battle scenes. Our main characters are forced to adapt to their new reality, but their core beliefs remain the same leading to devastating outcomes. I got to see another side of Kitay and Nezha that blew me away. It was incredible seeing Rin go through her journey of grief, forgiveness, and self acceptance.bites_of_books'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
Talk about character development, complex relationships, both with family, friends, and even enemies! Twists? Check! Reveals? Check! Incredible suffering? Absolutely.
I said it in my thoughts about the previous book, if you can't read about war and horrible violence, don't even try this one.
While some stories that have military tactics and such aren't my thing, I was on board with this one. I needed to know exactly what and why certain things needed to happen. I was intrigued from the first page since we do get more backstory on characters from the first book while continuing with Rin's story. Rin... oh Rin, where will you end up? I'm terrified for her and also cheering for her to no end.
Now, I could go to bed, but I'm starting the next one now. Wish me luck.
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
stitchof'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
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
erikachung182's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Violence and Colonisation
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual violence