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

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• 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

"People will seek to use you or destroy you. If you want to live, you must pick a side. So do not shirk from war, child. Do not flinch from suffering. When you hear screaming, run toward it.“

 Whew, this was a journey for sure. The Dragon Republic was a sequel just as dark as book 1, and it sure as hell didn't hold back. You thought it couldn't get worse? Too bad, here's 658 pages of more suffering. 

Fang Runin proved to me once more that she is the best fantasy MC I've read about in awhile. She's far from perfect, morally grey, a child suffering from political plays of her closest allies during a war. A depressed PTSD suffering addicted soldier, haunted by the ghosts of her past - all that makes her an even more compelling protagonist. If I were to touch into Rin's moral dilemma, this review will turn into an essay (one with spoilers at that) but agree or not with her, you can't deny she's one hell of a baddass. 

The character dynamics are my favourite parts of this novel. They are all so painful but beautiful, even characters who I've hated I couldn't stop being curious about. And that ending.... I can't picture the final novel being anything but more pain.