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aleyajo's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
laurawho'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: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and War
Minor: Drug use and Slavery
chelseaisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This one has me full of tears and thoughts.
Moderate: Death, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Colonisation
Minor: War
oceanelle'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: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
lucyatoz'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? It's complicated
5.0
It tells the story of four young adults, Robin, Victoire, Ramy and Lettie, as they come together as the 1st year cohort at the Oxford University's Royal Institute of Translation in 1836, as they each have amazing talents when it comes to learning languages that can be used for the benefit of the British Empire, regardless of the cost for them and those they love and care about.
It is a big and ambitious novel tackling big topics although it starts off quite slowly, but when the group come together, the action starts apace and takes you on a fantastical journey, which, at times, I could not tell was real or imaginary.
I borrowed a copy of this book from Taunton Library and listened to it on BorrowBox. I read this for prompt 26, hybrid genre, for the 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2024.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
nicklybear'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
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Toxic friendship
discocaptain'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: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
genorgana'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
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism
mmmaitai'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: Death, Violence, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Sexism, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual harassment
jiwiz's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I'd describe this book in one sentence as a very loud 'Fuck you' to western colonialism. I've seen people criticise how on-the-nose it is. It drives its point home in such a glaringly obvious way that it's impossible to misinterpret it. I think it definitely could stand to deliver its message in a more subtle, nuanced manner. That being said, it was a solid read. I think R.F. Kuang does a good job at writing less-than-perfect protagonists and the magic system is very fresh and unique.
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, Murder, and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood