peggy_racham's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Alcoholism, Gore, Gun violence, War, Colonisation, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexism, Body horror, Child death, Eating disorder, Rape, Self harm, and Xenophobia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Deportation, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
marinasjd's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Racism, Vomit, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death of parent, Deportation, Drug abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, War, Cursing, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
jessicaludden'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
This book had me stressed the ENTIRE time. I’m still stressed. I never knew how Rin was gonna get out of any of those situations. I still don’t, but I am sooo pumped for the next book. This was so good. The war and politics, the power struggles, and the PAIN. Rin finally realized that Altan was no hero and effectively moved on from him. R.F. Kuang did an amazing job portraying Rin’s love and disdain for Altan as she let go of him and refused to let him have anymore power over her. The way this book ended had me screaming with excitement. Rin was betrayed. Again. But this time she’s taking matters into her own hands. She’s finally not taking orders from anyone else and I am SO here for it. Overall, this series continues to live up to expectations and I cannot wait for the finale.
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, Violence, Vomit, War, Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Abortion, Alcohol, Animal death, Child death, Classism, Genocide, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Miscarriage
abhirupa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Genocide, Blood, War, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Rape
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: Child death, Genocide, Sexual violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Blood
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: Grief, Physical abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Violence, Genocide, Rape, Sexual violence, War, and Torture
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: Genocide, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Sexual violence, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Colonisation, Rape, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
booksarebutter'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: Rape, Religious bigotry, War, Sexual assault, Racism, Physical abuse, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Xenophobia, Torture, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, and Gore
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: Classism, Rape, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Child death, Colonisation, Cannibalism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Physical abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Confinement, Torture, and War
kayfab'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
4.75
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Torture, War, Colonisation, Drug use, Genocide, and Violence