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bkwrm1317's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
Mechas, Chinese history (?), and the life power of young women being leeched dry to fight aliens terrorizing the human race in the future. Our primary protag's initial goal is to avenge the death of her sister. Once she does this, her journey takes twists and turns that I didn't see coming.
Graphic: Alcoholism and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, War, and Classism
mathsha's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, War, and Classism
cherry_lake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If you’re wondering if you should read it… if you are tired of watered down dystopian YA novels, moralizing characters, mind NUMBING gender stereotypes (I’m including the stereotypes of the characters who are supposedly breaking the stereotypes as well!!), pussyfooting romance plot lines that are too afraid to commit — then this you might really love.
Also, I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is phenomenal.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Gore, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
jennn_3's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Death, Gore, and War
Minor: Rape
stuckinatimeloop's review against another edition
4.0
i didn't really get what exactly the hunduns were. i don't even remember there being a physical description for them. also the emperor stuff i didn't really get. maybe that's my fault, or maybe it wasn't written clearly enough.
still, the epilogue, though rushed, sets itself up so that you want to read the sequel and it seems the next books would be more interesting
also this is like a much watered down version of the poppy war
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and War
kouya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Torture and Murder
Moderate: Death and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape and War
inthemoonlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Kidnapping, Murder, and War
Minor: Rape and Colonisation
tokki_dokki's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Zetian was also a very interesting character to read. She was strong but she had her flaws, and I liked that. It felt very fitting for a YA protagonist. We find out a lot of darker aspects of their universe thanks to Zetian's character.
I enjoyed reading about her love interests as well, thought I do wish we had been given a little more insight into why/how they end up liking each other within such a short time frame. (Zetian and Yizhi's relationship was the most fleshed out, which I'm grateful for! They were lovely!)
I do think everything went a bit fast for my liking, but as there is a sequel coming, I have hope that the author may elaborate more on certain aspects of the plot or the relatuonships :) Overall, a very solid read, very action-packed and also diverse characters. Enjoyable ♥️
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Violence, and War
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Rape
tekoppstok's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Medical trauma, and Murder
Moderate: Chronic illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Death of parent
The content warnings make the story seem like a downer. It very easily could have been a very depressing book. Instead, the passionate rage and desperation of the main character buoys the narrative into something much more fierce and addictive than doom and gloom, even at the very darkest moments. It's fight or flight the whole way through, with heavy emphasis on fight.lavendermoons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture