Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - Republika smoka

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Reviews tagging 'Suicide attempt'

Republika smoka by R.F. Kuang

119 reviews

shannahtan's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I thought this book moved much faster than the first one. Rin is really unbearable. She is completely unable to process emotion, and she really has no remorse for any of the shit she has done which includes genocide and bad leadership leading to the Cike injuries and death but at the same time she’s so torn up about Altan dying. She blames herself for his death which feels like it doesn’t really fit her character. She would commit mass genocide on the Mugen again, but she also feels bad about it?! I do think it’s interesting how you can root for Rin at times while also hating her. I often wonder why the Cike stay with her, but I guess that’s similar to followers of Mao. Basically, everyone sucks, but you also kind of want them to turn it around. I guess I’ll read the 3rd to see if it happens. If you never learned about Chinese history, this might be an interesting foray for you.

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missmali's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

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donatio's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I'm not sure I always liked Rin, but I liked the Cike and Kitay and I think though it was brutal that it was brutally honest. About war, discrimination, crimes and colonialism. It's not beautified in any way and I think that's the only right way to tell this story.

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aspenpastore's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

loved it! Kuang is fantastic and am so invested in the characters. I like how rooted in history the book is and how it personalizes history while adding elements of fantasy. Such an amazing story!

I would say I liked this more than The Poppy War because the characters are all more developed, and we start to see them politicking, strategizing, and scheming. It gave Game of Thrones vibes for sure. The religious bigotry complicates the story and makes me absolutely hate the hesparians. I’m european and it forced me to confront the disgusting crimes and bigotry of my ancestors. Which is challenging but necessary.

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pineappleboop's review against another edition

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5.0

The Dragon Republic continues the story of Rin and Nikara, as the now broken empire after the third Poppy War tries exploring a chance at democracy and possible assistance from the Hesperians. Continuing to describe a very real and raw reality of war and its aftermath, The Dragon Republic expands the world of The Poppy War while remembering and referencing all that we already know.

THIS BOOK.

I came into this book not expecting much (aside from a great book considering everything that The Poppy Wars left as groundwork), but this, to be quite honest, blew my mind.

Twice now Kuang had me coming into a book expecting it to go one way and yet expanding it so much more, and that's the only way I think I can explain the way I felt reading this book. It's been so long since I've enjoyed a fantasy series this much, and a series in general to be honest, and it's so fun to experinece.

I love the way Kuang keeps on introducing a truly enjoyable (and at times hilarious) story while keeping in tact the absolutely horrifying reality of war it protrays. The Dragon Republic is about a country trying something new after a shattering war, realizing how corrupt power is and can make you, and how much loyality weighs.

The truly strongest aspect of this book is how precise it is. It’s clear it was planned and the execution is near perfect. While reading this book I remember noting how it’s so rare to find a book where each and every word has so much meaning to the overarching story.

Also, I never thought introducing Christians and white people to a fantasy book set in China inspired by the Opium Wars would work so well but it does???? I'm in absolute awe of the Christian storyline to be honest. I think a big part of why it works so well is everything we experienced of Christians throughout history (and this is not to bash Chistianity, more of how Christian white people took control of the world and never let go throughout history) and the absolutely terrifying hold they had of so much of the world. It may also be just great writing, who knows.

Another thing that's so important to note when discussing this book is the relationships between humans in this book. These relationships (between Rin and Kitay, Rin and Nezah, Rin and Venka, Rin and Viasra, etc.) are what supports this story so well. The worldbuilding and expansion is done so well, but what makes this story work THIS WELL, and leave such an impact are these relationships. They are what makes this story hit, or pack a punch if you will.

So, because I don't want to go too much into the details and accidentally spoil The Burning God, I'll end this review by saying that this series is just truly one of the best I've read and it's so worth it. However it isn't worth it if these CWs are triggering and or damaging for you. Anyway, great book, love Rin and Kitay's relationship with all my heart.

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alexiab's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark slow-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

5.0

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH

I haven’t had my heart ripped up like that in a hot minute.

I love a sequel that holds up to the excellence that the first book established. Even more exciting battles, more gruesome war, and more awesome development for the characters individually as well as the many relationships. So many assholes that have my whole ass heart.

Rin is *such* a difficult character, probably the most difficult I’ve read yet. She is so fierce in her beliefs, so often blinded by her own rage, and often lacks so much empathy that she frequently frustrates me. But I LOVE her. I loved her character growth throughout this book, it felt difficult and earned while also maintaining her internal identity. I love seeing other characters through her lens, knowing they would appear differently without the biases skewing her perceptions adds an extra layer to so many scenes. And I absolutely love Kitay quite literally always being her voice of reason - which she often ignores.

IM WEAK. IM DECEASED. I’m in for a world of hurt, I can already feel it.

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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I tried for months to make it through this and I just can't do it. I don't like Rin, and I don't dislike her in an interesting way. The plot feels meandering and I don't want to read a book where I'm just trying to make it through.

My understanding is that the arc of the trilogy is about how someone becomes terrible and willing to commit atrocities after having experienced them herself, but apparently that's not actually a story I want to read right now.

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