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A review by dnietoperafan
Babel by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What a novel. I was introduced to R. F. Kuang via Yellowface. Her writing I liked... it was honest, to the point, and punchy. The story itself left me wanting more. Therefore, I decided to read her debut, which friends highly recommended to me. Babel was everything they promised... and more.
The characters are all incredibly well-written. They all feel real. They all feel flawed. Their emotional depths grasped at mine. I felt like I knew them personally.
The world-building was amazing. It felt like reading those first descriptions of Hogwarts all over again. The wonder and curiosity this world sparked in me was something I haven't felt since those early Harry Potter days.
The magic system of Babel was as much magic as scientific. I loved the marriage between both the explainable and the fantastical. It gave the book an adult feel, without losing its child-like wonder quality I loved so much.
The topics Babel covers are extremely important historically and as well as contemporary. The nuance and care Kuang took writing about such a sensitive issue, whilst never forgeting to entertain was absolutely beautifully done.
I don't have enough words to praise this novel. From beginning to end it amazed me: characters tugged at my heart-strings, the world mermerised me, and the plot was entertainng and necessary in contemporary fantasy.
If you haven't yet... please read this book.
The characters are all incredibly well-written. They all feel real. They all feel flawed. Their emotional depths grasped at mine. I felt like I knew them personally.
The world-building was amazing. It felt like reading those first descriptions of Hogwarts all over again. The wonder and curiosity this world sparked in me was something I haven't felt since those early Harry Potter days.
The magic system of Babel was as much magic as scientific. I loved the marriage between both the explainable and the fantastical. It gave the book an adult feel, without losing its child-like wonder quality I loved so much.
The topics Babel covers are extremely important historically and as well as contemporary. The nuance and care Kuang took writing about such a sensitive issue, whilst never forgeting to entertain was absolutely beautifully done.
I don't have enough words to praise this novel. From beginning to end it amazed me: characters tugged at my heart-strings, the world mermerised me, and the plot was entertainng and necessary in contemporary fantasy.
If you haven't yet... please read this book.