hyithia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
- believable endearing characters
- convincing and interesting magic system
-covers intense topics in a great way
Spoiler
(racism, sexism,abuse)-
Spoiler
don't be a letty-
Spoiler
satisfying ending- interesting historical fiction
- last few chapters were a bit boring
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Xenophobia, Racism, and Sexism
truly loved this book for so many reasons. now one of my all time favorites!littleclerk's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Classism, Racism, and Child abuse
Moderate: Child abuse
nialiversuch'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
4.5
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Suicide, Violence, Bullying, Confinement, Misogyny, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, War, and Xenophobia
taylorgarcia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
In all seriousness, one of the best books I’ve read all year, and that ending. My god. My one qualm is
Spoiler
it was really weird to me that basically every poc in this book was on the side of revolution? Like Kuang did an AMAZING job illustrating the ideological conflicts they had as they fought for justice, but the whole time I kept thinking it was a little bit absurd that no poc said “it’s not worth it,” or even “I believe helping the empire is the right thing to do.” The only poc shown to have any conflict with the cause itself is Robin, and while I really enjoyed reading his perspective, he still ultimately sides with the revolution. This is in stark contrast to the white characters, who actually do seem to have a more complex array of thoughts toward the prospect of empire, with one denying it wholesale and others being the architects of it. What would have made this book a 5 for me is one absolutely evil character of color loyal servant of the empire, whose ideology and motivations are coherent and prominently displayed.Graphic: Suicide, Child abuse, Racism, and War
maralaene's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is such a unique blend of fiction, fantasy, history, and language studies. I’ve never read anything like it and can think of no comparison. I was nervous to read this book, because I often find that dark academia labeled books move too slowly and feel too dense for me to be immediately immersed in the story and the characters. But I started this book and had a hard time putting it down to the very end.
This book is almost entirely from the perspective of one of the four main characters, Robin. But each other character in turn is given a single chapter, explaining their life and their background, highlighting their choices at the most perfect points for each of their stories. And let me tell you, they are devastating, in the best and worst of ways.
I cannot recommend this book enough, but be prepared to think and to learn. This is a spectacular story from a spectacular writer.
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse
norcana'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Murder, Racial slurs, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, War, Violence, Torture, and Slavery
Moderate: Bullying and Addiction
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
erynelle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Colonisation, Death, Misogyny, Suicide, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Classism, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, and Violence
lolamosk'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
4.25
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, Torture, Murder, Gun violence, Grief, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Racism, Physical abuse, Death, Classism, and Child abuse
Moderate: War, Sexism, and Slavery
kendal_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death of parent and Child abuse
antiffa'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
Moderate: Addiction, Death, and Child abuse
Minor: Slavery