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

adventurous dark 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

SpoilerIn the first couple hundred pages I was like, maybe this will not be as great as the first book. 

And then I had to eat my words as this world became much more complicated and delicious with politics and betrayal and all that jazz.

To be honest, I was not that happy with Rin with the first few chapters of this book. I didn't hate her, but I was deeply saddened by the choices she was making. Her addition with opium and her addiction to questionable male authority figures (case in point both Altan and Vaisara are through and through assholes, even if Altan taught her to control the powers and Vaisara helped her become sober) is both deeply disheartening, but I couldn't hate her because I know I would do what she did in her shoes. 

And then I grew okay with this disappointment. But the fact that she has let go of both of her vices and is going to lead in the next book is great! And although I know that war is pointless, the shit Hesperia was spinning up (I really don't know which country it represents America or Britain) spelled trouble. Especially with their propoganda machine, because I know how it works because it worked in my country and I am laughing because their ideology is so much bullshit as compared to Nikara culture and Gods that it's kinda funny when we see it's demonstration (makes me think that all modern religions are cults as well) because who better to give hope than war torn and malnutritioned people of a country weighed down by war and starvation and hunger!

And while I kinda liked the politics, it  wasn't as delicious as the one I saw in she became the sun (which has some fantastic politics and gender nuances along with the fantastic war planning and war in general of this work). 

This book is a great sequel to a great debut fantasy novel and I hope I have the same opinions regarding the last book!
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