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lilifane'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
I will need to think more about this book. It's hard to read, it's depressing, it made me angry... which I'm pretty sure is the intention. But then the writing and the character work are brilliant and the themes of the book are not only very relevant but also mean a lot to me.
The first half of the book is basically one long lecture about languages and translations and the theories and philosophy behind them. There is hardly any plot for the first 250 pages, and I'm a little torn. Because I did enjoy the way Kuang let us take part in the Babel lectures, I'm always disappointed when we hardly get any academic content in most books with an academic setting. So it was refreshing to get it here, and I enjoyed it immensely. I need to go back and note down so many quotes. Also, the way the magic is tied to language was fascinating. On the other hand, I fell in love with the group of friends immediately and just wanted to spend more quality time with them.
The second half of the book is more action packed and focuses more on the main themes of the story. Although these are already present from the beginning, things get really intense in this second half. Colonialism, imperialism, capitalism, racism and misogyny are portrayed so realistically, I was furious the further I got. Additionally, the way these characters struggle with their identity and belonging broke my heart. And then there is the revolution part of the story. It's just so believable, the way things unfold.
I'm really glad I read this book, but if you're searching for some escapism, this is not it. It's literally the opposite.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
natnat_7'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: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Car accident, and Alcohol
elnelson'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Islamophobia, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
maks'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: Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Slavery, Vomit, Death of parent, and War
ninjamuse'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: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Slavery and Religious bigotry