A review by 100booksyearly
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense slow-paced

3.5

This one might not have had the same immediate grip on me as the first one did, but I have to admit, the story is just too good to pass up. 
There's something about the world, the characters, and the overarching narrative that keeps me utterly engaged. 
So, while it may not be as instantly captivating, I'm definitely looking forward to diving into book 3.