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ainhoah's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug abuse, Abortion, Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Classism, Colonisation, Cursing, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Grief, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, War, Animal death, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cannibalism
artemisg'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? Yes
4.0
This book is set after the Third Poppy War, which ended in Rin’s mass destruction of an entire nation. It follows Rin and her team (the Cike my beloved) as they attempt to assassinate the Empress, who is more powerful than she appears. Eventually, Rin and the Cike join the so-called Dragon Republic in a revolution aiming to institute democracy. This book also introduces some Hesperian characters, inspired by the colonial British Empire and other Western forces of power. With the introduction of the monotheistic Hesperians, this book dives into theological debates. It gives readers a greater understanding of the belief systems of Nikan and Rin’s connection to her god. This book is full of assassination plots, political debates, and discussions of imperialism and power. The characters are betrayed and betray one another, forming friendships and lifelong bonds, and Rin becomes more and more powerful and dangerous.
The fear of madness was gone, but not the impossible power. The power remained, a deep well from which she could draw when she chose.
And now she could choose.
As with the first book, this book is evocative and powerful, and in addition, it makes you think about the morally grey areas of war and revolution we love to ignore. Kuang does not shy away from graphic depictions of war, death, torture, and rape, and she does not shy away from making Rin a complex, power-hungry, violent protagonist. This book surrounds civil wars and begins to bring into play the power battles between south and north Nikan, emphasising the power that Hesperia holds over the future of the Empire. It also emphasises the Hesperian dehumanisation of Nikara people, their dismissal of their religious beliefs, and their understanding of civilisation. The unfortunate historical accuracy of colonial mindsets was really powerful and important.
“A necessary experiment. We didn’t come here to lend ships at your will, Vaisra. This is an investigation.”
“Into what?”
“Whether the Nikara are ready for civilization.”
This book expanded on every character, making them into more well-rounded and sympathetic (or unsympathetic) people. Kitay remains supreme, and the Rin Nezha dynamic hit different, including the end. I remain in a contentious relationship with Rin, she’s just so powerful and cool that I can’t help but root for her, but sometimes she does stuff I cannot understand or forgive. I suppose that’s a testament to Kuang’s writing; she has truly perfected the morally grey protagonist. And that ending! I am rooting for Rin like never before.
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Murder, Rape, and War
Minor: Miscarriage
lauramparis's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Religious bigotry, War, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Death, Violence, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Drug use, Sexual assault, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
gretaslittlelibrary'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, War, Violence, Sexual violence, Murder, and Miscarriage
toffishay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Drug use, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, War, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexism, Self harm, Murder, Kidnapping, Confinement, Animal death, Medical trauma, Xenophobia, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Classism, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Suicide, Sexual assault, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Cursing, and Racism
Minor: Ableism, Miscarriage, Genocide, Abortion, Cannibalism, and Excrement
ccpetrikas'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Rape, Religious bigotry, Toxic friendship, War, Cannibalism, Child death, Classism, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Murder, Sexual assault, Drug use, Genocide, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Torture, Violence, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Cultural appropriation, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Addiction, Abortion, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
perseffable's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Blood, Body horror, Gore, War, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Violence, Torture, Classism, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Self harm, Rape, and Racism
Moderate: Trafficking, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, and Gun violence
Minor: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Medical content, Confinement, Child death, Xenophobia, Abortion, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Infertility, Gun violence, Excrement, Cursing, and Chronic illness
isleoflinds's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: War, Xenophobia, Mental illness, Murder, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Child death, Medical trauma, Medical content, Blood, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Torture, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Cursing, and Excrement
Minor: Animal death, Cannibalism, Miscarriage, Mental illness, and Slavery
thereadinglemon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, War, Sexual violence, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Drug abuse, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Rape, Racism, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Sexual assault, Self harm, Drug use, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Gore
middumullu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, War, Vomit, Violence, Toxic friendship, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexism, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Religious bigotry, Rape, Racism, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Misogyny, Mental illness, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Gore, Genocide, Blood, Body horror, Classism, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, and Pregnancy
Minor: Miscarriage