Reviews tagging 'Medical trauma'

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

82 reviews

violaceae's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and Outing

just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

 

And here it is, the grand finale. After waiting longer than I'd planned to, after finishing The Poppy War, to pick up The Dragon Republic, I got my hands on this final installment as soon as I could because I needed to know how it all wrapped up. With the amount of world and plot building, in physical scope and political complexity, I was on the edge of my seay to see how Kuang brought it all to a finish point. Also, being honest here, I wanted to get to it before I forgot too many of the details! 

 

This third book picks up essentially right where the second one left off, as far as action is concerned. A few weeks have passed since Rin and Venka and Kitay escaped from Vaisra and his Dragon Republic, leaving Nezha behind as well. They've taken some time to lay low, treat their (myriad) wounds, and try to decide what's next. Allying with the Southern Coalition, Rin finds (yet again) that the leaders are mostly there for their own gain and care little for saving Nikan or the people of the South. So, in a series of short term alliances and dramatic shows of force, Rin, Kitay and Venka turn to the people, especially those of Rin's provincial home province of Tikany, who are willing to risk it all and fight for her, following her banner of violent vengeance in the quest to free Nikan. Facing the intelligence and superior firepower of the Hesperians, the deep-flowing aristocratic power of the Dragon Republic and the North, with guest spots from deposed Empress Su Daji and the Trifecta, Chaghan, and more, Rin and her Phoenix leads a blazing swath of blood and death across the country. 

 

Phew. I mean, I thought the first two books were violent and deadly and horrific and fiery in all the ways (literal and figurative), but Kuang proved here that there's always more... This book brought particular attention to Rin's bloodthirstiness in a really unique way though. Up until now, she was a student or pawn or "just" in charge of the Cike...but here, here she really steps into a full warlord general sort of role, making decisions not based purely on winning a battle or merely staying alive, but in premeditated moves of power consolidation, shows of force, and in general affecting lives on scales she's never had access to before. It was a fascinatingly written transition, because the way it played off her connection and power-drawing from the Phoenix, which had been based purely on anger/vengeance before, the cold-blooded (and sadistic) murder choices she makes in this book come, in some cases, from a very different motivation. Watching Rin come to terms with that, and reconfigure her connection with her god as a result, was while terrifying realistically bloodthirsty, really quite insightful and hard to turn away from. I also really appreciated that despite these slightly more surface-level changes, Rin, at base, remains exactly who she is and has always been: ruthless. She still deals quite a bit with trauma-memories and guilt and PTSD, but has found a unique, and unsurprisingly not particularly healthy, way to deal with it that allows her to tamp it down and keep going. I appreciate this consistency of character because it would have been easy, if not true to her character, to "write" her growth into a better example of leadership. Along these same lines, the way Kuang explored the transition from war general brain to political leadership brain, the differences in wartime versus peacetime (in needs and consequences and qualifications), and if it is even possible to leave the paranoia of battle/need to keep fighting behind, was great. 

 

As far as other character interactions are concerned, Kitay's continued horror at and discomfort with her choices and actions is also written exactly as it should be (in my opinion, anyway), and I loved the complexity between them and their relationship that grows out of that major difference in their POVs. It was incredibly nuanced and made all the better (and it was really dang good to start) by the continued interweaving of each of their interactions with and reactions to Nezha and, as the story progresses, seeing the way their trio mirrored (in many ways) the disastrous inner reality of the Trifecta was a spectacular example of the cyclical nature of history and relationships. The parallels of the three, the intricacies of dependency and need and love and betrayal, and the ways those played out so similarly, as the interdependence and power struggles and going-to-your-head of it all tears them apart from the inside out with myriad external fallout...it was all so well done. Also, the way it only takes one small moment to change trajectory had me on tenterhooks waiting to find out if they'd make all the same mistakes or if they'd choose a different path. 

 

Some final thoughts. Goodness...this book was nonstop for the entire 24 hours of listening (yup - I went with the audiobook again because I really enjoyed the narration of the last one). The depth of detail in the war and political strategy stays top-notch. I know I've said this in every review so far, but it bears repeating: Kuang's combination of twentieth century Chinese history and full-on magic/mythology (especially of Rin's fire and the Phoenix, but also Nezha and his Dragon and, no spoilers, but some new god-connections as well) is truly some of the best writing I have ever read. There is so much depth to it all, so much detail.  The continued presence of the Hesperians, their clear parallels to Western culture and technology and faith and "superiority," also stood as a clear commentary and condemnation of the harm colonialism, that was impossible not to see...and impossible to pretend it was anything other than the horror it was. I loved how Kuang also simultaneously exemplified how the native peoples weren’t (and shouldn’t have had to be) good/special/unified or “better” in any way, in order to be able to continue to live in their own traditions and beliefs. Because in the end, how were their beliefs, false unity, infighting/inequity, etc. any "worse" (read: less worthy of existing) than their oppressors' version of those same things? Last, what a spectacular, perfect, stunning ending! I was shattering and I loved it. I was definitely slightly concerned that the ending would wrap too cleanly or would feel too perfect, considering on what a large scale Rin had smashed the existing structures to bits. But the ending was perfect - in line for her character, her relationships, her role in the world, the overall situation - it was truly the only way, it felt right in every way, and it was everything. 

 

*deep heaving sigh* I cannot believe this trilogy is over. Kuang wrote something so special here and I loved it. The development of the world (historical fiction and high fantasy) and characters was ambitious and compelling and developed to perfection. As a reader, I both hated and loved Rin (with a lot of feeling) at the same time. And just as she destroyed and cleansed and rebirthed Nika through Phoenix fire, I feel like I went through a similar experience while reading it. That’s the freaking skill that Kuang brought us with her writing. 

 

“You don’t fix hurts by pretending they never happened. You treat them like infected wounds. You dig deep with a burning knife and gouge out the rotten flesh and then, maybe, you have a chance to heal.” 

 

“…the battles were easy. Destroying was easy. The hard part was the aftermath.” 

 

“The point of revenge wasn’t to heal. The point was that exhilaration, however temporary, drowned out the hurt.” 

 

“And you should know by now that when you leave your enemies alive, wars don’t end.” 

 

“Let them think of us as dirt, Rin thought. She was dirt. Her army was dirt. But dirt was common, ubiquitous, patient, and necessary. The soil gave life to the country. And the earth always reclaimed what it was owed.” 

 

“Rin was a monster, a murderer, a destroyer of world. Nothing but blood and ashes ever trailed in her wake. The world was a better, safer, and more peaceful place without her in it. He believed that. And yet…” 

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, and War

isabellaft's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Colonisation

goldbug's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-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

I'm in pain.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, Medical trauma, and Colonisation

Moderate: Genocide, Rape, Self harm, and Cannibalism

andromeda_1998's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-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

4.75

The burning god is the third installment of the amazing poppy war trilogy. It isn’t easy to review a series so raw and honest as this one. The poppy war has some amazing story, world and character building. Feats that I’ve already explained in my earlier reviews. 

The trilogy as a whole is really strong and it’s a big rollercoaster ride that I would recommend to everyone. In some ways these books still have some points of criticism that in my opinion could have made the books better. But the critics are really minor and not even really worth mentioning. It’s just that I would have enjoyed some more character interaction between the fighting. For me it would have explained more the love the characters feel for eachother. 

My favorite quote from the trilogy: 
“They believe in a singular and all-powerful deity, which means they cannot accept the truth of other gods. And when nations start to believe that other beliefs lead to damnation, violence becomes inevitable.” 

I would recommend these books to every fantasy and history fan but make sure to read the trigger warnings. These books describe a lot of gruesome things in a lot of detail so make sure these books are the right fit for you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Colonisation

fiveredhens's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

favorite quotes:

"Jinzha?" Jiang frowned, digging his little finger into his ear. "The older Yin brat?"

"Yes," Daji said.

"I think taught him at Sinegard. Utter asshole. Whatever happened to him?"

"He got plucky," Daji said. "I turned him to mincemeat and sent him back to Vaisra in a dumpling basket."

Jiang arched an eyebrow. "Darling, fucking what?"

"It's a bad guest that shows up
unannounced," Daji said.

"Not if a third guest is holding a knife to the host's throat," Rin said.

"This analogy has lost me," Jiang said.

How many chances, asked Altan, are you going to throw away?

At least one more, she thought, and ignored his jeering laughter.

Their eyes met. She felt a shock of horror. She recognized the way he was looking at her. It was how she'd once looked at Altan. It was the way she'd seen Daji look at Riga—that look of wretched, desperate, and reproachful loyalty. It said, Do it. Take what you want, it said. I'll hate you for it. But I'll love you forever. I can't help but love you. Ruin me, ruin us, and I'll let you.

good pacing, good exposition, and an end i can't tell if i loved or hated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Racism, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Xenophobia, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Abortion, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Colonisation

Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Genocide, Gun violence, Infertility, Sexism, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol

bookishjd's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Colonisation

Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Cannibalism, and Medical trauma

totallyshelfaware's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Murder

hanarama's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad 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

The Good:
Powerful and natural character development.
Strong world building.
Lots of action.

The Bad:
Skips around a bit, some telling rather than showing.
Little chance to relax between emotional highs and lows.

You'll Like This Book If:
You like Daenerys' story in A Song of Ice and Fire.
If you like morally gray characters.
Stories about the horrors of war and the dangers of power.

The final book of the Poppy War trilogy is one emotional gut-punch after the next. Having broken away from the Republic, Rin is building up forces of her own and she is willing to do anything and everything to win this war for herself and the people of Nikan.

Through all of this she struggles against the allure of the Phoenix and its power. If she gives herself over to it, she will become a goddess of war and retribution, but she will lose humanity in the process. At times it is only Kitay keeping her anchored. With the war against the Republic and Hesperians dragging on and the number of betrayals increasing, Rin's sanity is fraying and it seems only a matter of time before she is lost to the Phoenix. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Murder

olivialandryxo's review

challenging 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

4.5

An immersive, clever, and heartbreaking conclusion to a brilliant series. I love Rin and Kitay. I can’t wait to see what Kuang does next.

Representation

• amputee protagonist of color
• side characters of color

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, and Murder

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Cannibalism, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Ableism, Incest, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Slavery, and Trafficking