Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Grief, Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Infertility, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Cannibalism, Car accident, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Deportation
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Cool magic system? Yes. Entertaining? Sure.
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
M.L. Wang rips away the facade of a glorious empire and exposes the atrocities committed beneath, and does it with beautiful and expressive writing. Everyone should read this - books like this give me hope.
I hope it burns anyone who tries to ban it.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence
There is a bit of buildup before the magic system is established to the reader and characters are deep into the plot, but once everything starts unraveling it doesn’t stop.
I look forward to reading more books by M L Wang. I listened to the audiobook and will be seeking out other books read by narrator Moira Quirk.
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Violence
Moderate: Death, Gore, Slavery, Religious bigotry, Classism
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Alcohol
Wanted to absolutely hit someone with their sexism and racism, and I loved her rants to
Kind of sad
Would recommend to people
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
I think everyone should read this book. It is excellent commentary on so many real-world issues told through a riveting story of flawed, raw characters that you want to root for. Wang tackles racism—specifically against indigenous people—, colonization, collective liberation, hypocrisy in religion, corruption in government, "benevolent" complicity, white guilt/tears, and so much more with such finesse. She asks us all to grapple with the questions: what is the cost of our comforts, and what is the effect on our humanity of the denial of those costs?
The story is a page-turner the whole way through, and hooked me within the first chapter. The magic system is extremely unique and interesting, and the world-building is so well-done. Both are intricate without being hard to understand (plus a handy pocket guide is included in the back!). The series of events is realistic as it pertains to the world/characters and the IRL issues the story seeks to tackle.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation
Moderate: Body horror, Genocide, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infertility, Suicide, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War
Go read it!!
I still cannot put into words the way this book affected me. The premise sounds so simple, but it is interwoven with such complex issues and thoughts that are so brilliantly handled and discussed. The characters are so amazingly fleshed out and morally gray. They are understandable while also being frustrating. The magic system is unique and the world reflects so many different places and times we are familiar with.
It is amazing. Probably my top read of the year.
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Colonisation, Classism, Deportation
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Suicide, Violence, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Vomit, Alcohol
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Animal death, Miscarriage