Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Song of Silver, Flame Like Night by Amélie Wen Zhao

26 reviews

bloodbrooxv's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

I really liked this book, I would suggest it to anyone who doesn't feel comfortable enough to read the poppy war. Colonialism, as a theme, is very prominent,  and although it's analized in a YA-ish way, it's still very impactful. The romance was very cute, and i'm interested in how it'll develop in the sequel.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Death, Violence, and War

Moderate: Genocide and Gore

Minor: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Fatphobia, and Body horror

Representation: chinese main characters

kirstym25's review against another edition

adventurous emotional 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Death

Moderate: Sexual assault and Death of parent

gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition

adventurous 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? No

4.0

I really liked this as a lighter YA version of xianxia fiction. Really enjoyed the tropes I’ve come to expect from xianxia/wuxia like the magic, the cultivation school, the secret powers and gods. 

I also like that the author chose to take inspiration from Chinese history with European annexation, and how that affects a country and it’s people. It helps set the backdrop of why these main characters will do whatever it takes to stop an army. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, and Violence

Minor: Death of parent

fandomsandfiction's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.75

this book is a drug and i am addicted. 
(currently suffering from major withdrawal!!!)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Genocide, Racism, War, and Sexual violence

vampire_burrito's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Violence, Torture, Racism, and Sexual violence

totsfions's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• 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

4.25

Me reading any romance novel: that ending was too rushed.
Me reading any fantasy novel: that ending was too drawn out. 
Any way, aside from the ending taking an eternity, this book was wonderful. I loved the magic systems and the deep attention to Chinese lore and myth that went in to developing this world. It also handles the complexity of power with a nuance not often seen in YA. This book reckons not only with the injustices of colonialism, but also the power structures that existed beforehand. It allows it's characters to process their grief, but also to find just retribution; to imagine not only what their lives would have been but also what they will be next. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Colonisation, and Racism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Blood, Grief, War, Violence, Death, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Torture

gwenythepooh's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Check the trigger warnings!

This is a rich, winding story that had me enthralled. I couldn’t stop reading. Can’t wait for the next book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Death of parent, Death, War, Violence, Religious bigotry, Genocide, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment

hailstorm3812's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I felt kind of meh about this. I like the world building a lot, especially the song magic. I also really like Lan and most of the side characters. but where it lost me is the romance. I don't know why she likes Zen, and we spend so much time on this.

He abandoned a girl begging him to save her from being assaulted and only shows up again after she kills the guy herself. It's the opposite of a save the cat moment and he never recovers from it in my eyes. You can't go brooding demon boy and not give us a reason to like him.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Racism, and Colonisation

bookishwondergoth's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• 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

4.0

What a wonderfully pleasant surprise. I must confess I only picked up a copy of this book because it came in my February Illumicrate and I took part in their Discord readalong. Ordinarily it’s not something I would have picked up as I tend to avoid YA like the plague these days.

Fast-paced with a truly beautiful, gorgeously described world, Amélie Wen Zhao has crafted an enchanting and thrilling tale inspired by Chinese history and legends. Main characters Lan and Zen are a lot of fun, highly endearing, and I was utterly gripped from start to finish.

Will definitely be reading the next one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation and Death of parent

Moderate: Sexism, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Confinement

Minor: Self harm, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

One of the characters has a cleft palette, and is referred to with a slur that isn't really challenged, even though other people's prejudiced attitudes to the character's appearance are.

briely's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Murder, Racism, Genocide, Colonisation, Death of parent, and Death