A review by marah
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I loved this book!! Rin’s character development was so satisfying to see. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism

Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Self harm, Slavery, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Abortion, and Death of parent

I think that because of these topics, this book had potential to fall into trauma-porn territory but it definitely did not. R.F. Kuang writes about this material very well.

BUT ALSO THE DUMPLINGS PART WAS SO FUCKED UP