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
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.myk_yeah'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: War, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Torture, Racism, Self harm, Addiction, Suicide attempt, Body horror, and Abortion
Minor: Medical trauma and Colonisation
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.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: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Addiction, Antisemitism, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Abortion, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Child death, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gore, Hate crime, Medical content, Racism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Drug use, Mental illness, Murder, Suicide attempt, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Vomit, War, Deadnaming, Death, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pandemic/Epidemic, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Animal death, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, and Xenophobia
kys831's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Bullying, Xenophobia, Genocide, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Medical trauma, War, Sexual assault, Murder, Death, Violence, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Torture, Rape, Physical abuse, Grief, Colonisation, and Classism
moonymars'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
Spoiler
The one scene where she kills the Hesperian soldier filled me with so many emotions that I could write an entire 10 page essay about.
Venka siding with them at the end made me cry a river. Kitay and Venka my beloveds.
AND if all of that wasn't ENOUGH.
I haven't been so touched by characters dying for a LONG time now. I loved the Cike so much, especially Ramsa, I was one of my favs and now he's FUCKING DECEASED ??? How am I supposed to live without scenes like the ones where Changhan makes Kitay drink horse piss as a joke??
One of my favorite books of all time tho.
Graphic: Alcohol, Child death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Abortion, Addiction, Blood, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Vomit, and War
nodogsonthemoon'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? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Violence, and War
Moderate: Xenophobia, Colonisation, Gore, Child death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Classism, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Abortion, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, and Torture
linneak'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: Child death, Child abuse, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Rape, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Medical trauma, Torture, War, Addiction, Colonisation, Self harm, Blood, Classism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief, Abortion, and Gun violence
Minor: Vomit, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts
moonystar'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
4.75
Graphic: Confinement, Drug use, Genocide, Grief, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Self harm, Sexism, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Colonisation, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Slavery, War, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion