A review by lilmor
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

 lives up to every ounce of the hype; kuang has a gift for lending profound sincerity to a story that could easily feel forced or contrived.  this book is a slog for those of us who hate the british but if you can get past the suffocating (however necessary) anglicism of the first few chapters you will be rewarded hundredfold 😍👯

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Gore, Murder, Abandonment, Grief, Racism, Physical abuse, Violence, Classism, Colonisation, Death, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Police brutality, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, War, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Torture, Addiction, and Violence