A review by queensplay
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

challenging emotional hopeful sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Objectively, this is the perfect ending to this book. Objectively. 

But, natively, I thought it would be a happy ending. I mean, I thought it was a unspoken rule that every fantasy had a happy ending. So I don't like the ending, because Rin was supposed to be with Nezha, they were supposed to be together, she was supposed to win the war and heal the world. Do I still like the ending? Yes. That doesn't mean I don't wish it didn't go differently.
What hurts is at the ending, in Nezha's pov, he says that he is alone. They left him alone. They choose each other over him (not word for word - I don't have the book beside me right now). And that hurts. I hope Nezha finds someone to help him. I hope he has someone by his side so that he's not alone again.

I'm so glad that Rin got to use her powers so much more in this book. I got to see so much power in her, it was amazing. 
My heart breaks for Nezha. What he had to go through isn't fair to him. I hate the Hesperians so much. 
I guess I was right when I said I thought there was something else going on. 
And don't get me started on his pov in the end of the book. Are you trying to make me cry, Kuang???
Rin and Kitay are the perfect platonic soulmates, I don't make the rules.