Reviews with content warning for Death - The Burning God

Ended in the only way it possibly could.
As always Kuang’s depiction of war, the chaos and uncertainty of battles and its impacts both on individuals and the country are some of the most realistic that I’ve ever read. She never romanticises it or skips over the brutal aspects of it that so many other books do in order to glorify it. Some victories are not won with a triumphant cheer but by a pure twist of fate and chaos.
My favourite character, Jiang, comes back which I’m glad about. A lot of the characters in what are meant to be emotional moments don’t say anything they either sit in silence or get cut off. And she seems to always understand what they mean to say before they have to discuss any of their issues or feelings and i honestly find it a bit of a cop out to not let any of your characters converse with one another each and every time. But I’ve always thought that Kuang’s character writing is weak and is the only thing holding this book back from being a 5 star read for me.
Rin however continues to be one of the most interesting characters to read from. I understand all of her decisions and despise them at the same time. She did what she had to do to survive but it drove her to insanity, and I think that’s the only plausible way someone in her situation could’ve ended up. She’s insane but only because the world around her is insane. I called the ending. I knew that she had to die in the end, I thought she would go too far give into the phoenix and Kitay would have to kill himself to stop her but it was more satisfying to see her catch herself right before she set the world aflame and end things before she could. She never could have ruled Nikawa it’s not what she was built for. All she ever wanted was to stop the people who were causing the wars and suffering, she did - she toppled systems - and now she can rest before she becomes the very thing she hated.

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vanessacorwin's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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lglais's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Essa trilogia é, acima de tudo, uma tragédia realística - mesmo que temos uma personagem principal que consegue produzir fogo do nada, porque está ligada a deusa Fênix.
R. F. Kuang, assim como em Babel, sustenta um personagens que desejam o melhor para o mundo, que almejam uma revolução humanitária. O problema é que, assim como no mundo real, o futuro do mundo está na mão dos seres humanos, pessoas egoístas que desejam apenas o bem para si e a sustentação de seus desejos e confortos.

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lydiasturges's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

I’m wrecked.

Seeing Rin’s downward spiral was so heartbreaking. Clearly she wanted what was best for the Nitara, but didn’t know how to do it without turning to cruelty like the Trifecta. That ending of her almost turning on Kitaly??? Gut wrenching.

I never stopped loving Nekah. He was in a shitty situation just trying to make the best of it. Hearing his perspective at the very end, and seeing just how much he loved Rin, ruined me. They both genuinely thought they were doing the best for their country. I just wish they could have been true allies.

The last pages of Rin’s perspective and those last pages in Nekah’s perspective were perfection and absolutely tragic.

I am emotionally exhausted after this series. It feels like nothing can go right for Rin. But I genuinely can’t wait to reread these and get even more from it the second time. What an amazing commentary Kuang makes!

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itsjustgrumpy's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

Ended the only way it could. In tears.

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tatertot2005's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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