Reviews tagging 'Torture'

The Poppy War - Perang Opium by R.F. Kuang

2520 reviews

loga81427's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Holllllly crap this was A JOURNEY. I loved this book, I love the world and the magic is so interesting, the characters so complex. This is not a happy story by any means, but it still had its small funny bits, even though they were greatly overpowered by the cruelty of the war that we are living through Rin. I'm so SO interested to know where she is going from now on, and honestly I know it's gonna be bad but I can't peel my eyes away. Also I just want to make it clear that I could kill for Kitay, I love that guy SO deeply omg.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, War

Moderate: Torture

tobi_bee_5802's review against another edition

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Rape, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, War

booksbyv's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Colonisation, War

atsy6's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I went into this book blind, I knew it was fantasy, and that was about it. It was good, it was moving, it was darker than I anticipated. The first half was typical YA, orphaned child makes way to a school, middle was the schooling and ordeals then the last was war and it was dark. I felt like I was reading 3 different books. I'm ok with the switches, but it was surprising. Some of the horrors will stick with me and I read horror / thrillers so I'm no stranger to violence. I'm pretty sure a lot is based on history and actual atrocities committed, so that just makes it worse.

I didn't really love any of the characters, I'm hoping that will change. There was a lot to dislike about everyone tbh, including Rin our FMC. She shows her age and immaturity a lot. I'm all for a villain or anti-hero but they need a hook or anchor to their actions. Adoration, a semi-connection and puppy love isn't enough. I will continue the series because dang, I'm invested. But there were a few things that stuck out that made the book less than 5 stars. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail

katie_reads_25's review against another edition

3.75

dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Torture, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War

Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Slavery, Xenophobia, Vomit, Trafficking, Pregnancy, Classism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Misogyny, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Colonisation, Pandemic/Epidemic

bendersthots's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, War

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Vomit

Minor: Trafficking

jostmalone's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional reflective tense

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Absolutely no notes. Complex FMC that you don’t typically see in fantasy novels. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, War

caileyp's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Sometimes the plot felt a bit slow. The gratuity of war was very difficult to read, but I understand that they were all real events. Didn’t make it less challenging. I think if it had been a bit shorter I would have rated it more highly. Overall well written, but unfortunately too dark for me to complete the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Torture, Murder, War

mymypotter's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional sad 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

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Literally one in a million. I’ve read a lot of fantasy, and this is the most realistic, brutal depiction of war I’ve ever read in fantasy. Extensive character development, in fact each character gets fleshed out so by the end of the book you feel you’ve known them for years. Amazing world building! Amazing

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, War

nevnel's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail