Scan barcode
saintmaud's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Gore, Murder, Violence, Ableism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
pickled_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
“I’ll find his grave, and bury you together. You had no descendants, but I’ll remember you. And my descendants, and their descendants, will remember you, and pray for you, at the monument I’ll build to your names.”
Just an insane duology about such complicated characters who I have many complicated feelings about and still couldn’t help but to hope they came out ok at the end of this story.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, War, Self harm, Gore, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, War, Grief, Confinement, Torture, Misogyny, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Medical content, Child death, Sexual assault, Dysphoria, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Animal cruelty, and Slavery
Minor: Suicide, Miscarriage, Abortion, Incest, and Vomit
winterwoodbooks's review against another edition
3.75
Much more gory tho
Graphic: Vomit, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Deadnaming, Body horror, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Grief, Death, Transphobia, Violence, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Gore, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Homophobia, Genocide, War, Torture, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Misogyny, Hate crime, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Child death, and Body shaming
caseythereader's review against another edition
- 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
- I'm not sure how to review HE WHO DROWNED THE WORLD beyond simply some incoherent screaming. It's somehow better than the first book? It left me completely shattered? I could have kept reading it forever?
- I won't go into too much plot detail because 1) so much happens and 2) a lot of it would constitute huge spoilers. But know that I was gripped from beginning to end, gasped out loud at several points, and once my spouse asked if I was okay and the answer was a wailing, "Noooo!"
- Simply put, this duology is a masterpiece. I can't wait to see what Parker-Chan does next.
Graphic: Ableism, Alcohol, Gore, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Infidelity, Blood, Sexual content, Torture, Body shaming, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Slavery, Violence, War, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Murder
bittennailbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Unflinching, visceral, and a howling sequel that blows any possible sequel slump into dust. Parker-Chan's return to the re-imagined Ming dynasty was my most anticipated read this year and it did not disappoint! We return to the fight for the throne as Zhu and Ouyang find themselves on a level playing field, and Wang finds a double-edged sword alliance with the reigning emperor, favored consort, scorned empress with his own sword up his sleeve.
Thumbs up: I had to pace myself with this book. The exploration of sex, gender, power, and sexuality were nothing short of mastery.
- Ouyang's rage-filled rampage for revenge consistently brings him failure time and time again. It isn't until he sees Zhu's unabashed belief in fleshing out other's skills (not a commonly masculine leadership trait) that he starts to feel some kind of embodiment and de-construction of his own gender.
- Although women were not given formal power, Parker-Chan does an incredible job at showcasing that power comes from playing your opponent, not the board.
- I will be crying about Ouyang's storyline for the rest of my natural born life.
- "Heaven can't take you from me, I refuse, I refuse"
Thumbs down: It's been awhile since I read "She Who Became the Sun" but I am still not 100% clear about the mandate, how it works, and its relationship to the ghosts. It may be more of a reader error than a writing one but maybe give the first a re-read before you pick this one up.
Was it a nail biter? I will remember this book on my deathbed, 5 stars.
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Gore, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, War, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abortion, and Homophobia