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A review by queensplay
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
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
The beginning and the end of the book were really good, but the middle was slow. Its still a really good read regardless.
I'm disappointed that Rin didn't have her powers until more then half-way. I was really looking forward to see her at her peak, and then she lost her powers.
I also didn't like that she was under the command of someone. I guess I'm used to mcs being their own people, but it especially didn't feel right with her. The only good thing Vaisra did was get her off of the opium, but other then that, for the longest time I didn't know if he was good. And if he was, I was really hoping that Rin could trust someone other then Kitay. But Rin is her own person, she deserves her own command, deserves to do what she wants. I hope she gets that in the next book.
But her and Kitay are amazing together. He is amazing.
Ok.
Let me tell you - since the first book, I have been ROOTING for Nezha and Rin. Like, full on kicking my feet whenever they smile at each other. I loved them so much, and I know they loved each other. There were so so many scenes of them in this book. I could read and reread and reread their scenes together. I'm a slowburn girl, and this hits. Perfectly.
And thennnnn this fucking IDIOT goes and LITERALLY stabs her in the back. Like what?? You love her. Why would you do that? You were having a moment, you love each other. After everything you did? You called your god to save her, you protected her, and then you go and do this?
I really want to be mad at him. I really do. But it also doesn't feel like him. Because after all he did for her, for him to go and ruin it, it seems like something else is at play. And he tried to warn Rin before, so I'm sure he knew that Vaisra was bad. So why would he do that? And THEN let them go?? Something isn't adding up.
Don't talk to me about Suni and Baji. Don't. Talk. To. Me. Damn it, Kaung, why would you do that???Why would you break my heart like that??
What hurts so much, is that Suni was the complete opposite of his god. His god was to be big, strong, powerful and break things, and then Suni is this quiet, kind guy. I feel like he always tried to be different from his god on purpose, because he didn't want people to think he lost control. That's what gets me - he tried so hard. He tried so hard to fight his god, so hard to be the opposite of his god, tried so hard so that when people looked at him, they saw him, not his god (I could be wrong, but that's how i interpreted it). And at the end, people only saw him for his god. And they killed him for it. Damn it damn it.
I just can't get over the paragraph: "Four staggered shots punctuated the air. Baji's body jerked from side to side in a horrible dance with each bullet..." That scene. That paragraph. I can't get it out of my head. And Rin had to watch.
And then, like that wasn't enough, Kuang had to hit me with Ramsa. Like I wasn't already broken already. He sacrificed himself for Rin. He died for Rin. Because apparently Suni and Baji weren't enough.
There's a hashtag on tiktok that sums up this story perfectly: #rfkuangwillpayformytherapy
I'm disappointed that Rin didn't have her powers until more then half-way. I was really looking forward to see her at her peak, and then she lost her powers.
I also didn't like that she was under the command of someone. I guess I'm used to mcs being their own people, but it especially didn't feel right with her. The only good thing Vaisra did was get her off of the opium, but other then that, for the longest time I didn't know if he was good. And if he was, I was really hoping that Rin could trust someone other then Kitay. But Rin is her own person, she deserves her own command, deserves to do what she wants. I hope she gets that in the next book.
But her and Kitay are amazing together. He is amazing.
Ok.
Let me tell you - since the first book, I have been ROOTING for Nezha and Rin. Like, full on kicking my feet whenever they smile at each other. I loved them so much, and I know they loved each other. There were so so many scenes of them in this book. I could read and reread and reread their scenes together. I'm a slowburn girl, and this hits. Perfectly.
I really want to be mad at him. I really do. But it also doesn't feel like him. Because after all he did for her, for him to go and ruin it, it seems like something else is at play. And he tried to warn Rin before, so I'm sure he knew that Vaisra was bad. So why would he do that? And THEN let them go?? Something isn't adding up.
Don't talk to me about Suni and Baji. Don't. Talk. To. Me. Damn it, Kaung, why would you do that???Why would you break my heart like that??
What hurts so much, is that Suni was the complete opposite of his god. His god was to be big, strong, powerful and break things, and then Suni is this quiet, kind guy. I feel like he always tried to be different from his god on purpose, because he didn't want people to think he lost control. That's what gets me - he tried so hard. He tried so hard to fight his god, so hard to be the opposite of his god, tried so hard so that when people looked at him, they saw him, not his god (I could be wrong, but that's how i interpreted it). And at the end, people only saw him for his god. And they killed him for it. Damn it damn it.
I just can't get over the paragraph: "Four staggered shots punctuated the air. Baji's body jerked from side to side in a horrible dance with each bullet..." That scene. That paragraph. I can't get it out of my head. And Rin had to watch.
And then, like that wasn't enough, Kuang had to hit me with Ramsa. Like I wasn't already broken already. He sacrificed himself for Rin. He died for Rin. Because apparently Suni and Baji weren't enough.
There's a hashtag on tiktok that sums up this story perfectly: #rfkuangwillpayformytherapy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault