livbread'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? It's complicated
Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Rape, War, Sexual assault, and Murder
rrio'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: Racism, Xenophobia, Body horror, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, War, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Death, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Medical content, and Sexual assault
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
lizziaha's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, War, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Classism, Confinement, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Vomit
ellysiap's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Gore, Rape, War, and Murder
ealasaid_sch'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: Gore, Drug abuse, Grief, Addiction, Violence, Xenophobia, War, Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
Moderate: Vomit and Gore
brianneh'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: Death, Classism, Rape, Violence, War, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Cursing
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Drug abuse, Vomit, Addiction, Suicidal thoughts, Genocide, Grief, Drug use, and Gore
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: War, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Rape, Vomit, Violence, Torture, Addiction, Racism, Body horror, Abortion, Death, Classism, Alcoholism, and Murder
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.