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fortunetree'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Story review:
I would say I liked the pacing of the story and I preferred the first part of the book. First of all, what I liked about the pacing is that the author doesn't spend unnecessary time establishing her life before the actual story starts. She arrives at Sinegard quite quickly and what continues to happen is all pretty much what you would expect. Also, this kind of reminded me of a shonen-style anime, I mean the whole she is the underdog, who looks different, gets into a petty rivalry (
Shout out to Jiang by the way (I love his character).
So while some might think it would be a bit boring to basically have half the book spent on her training I think this also solves as a way to world build which was done quite beautifully. You get a lot of insight into the politics and history of this world (
The second part of the book was a bit more serious and in some sense dark. It was quite exciting to read and the mood set was pretty grim.
Finally, I would say that this book was more story-driven it was also very focused on developing Rin's character (more on that later). So if you would like to read something that is going to feel a bit like a shonen Anime, mixed with Chinese mythology, weird stuff on Shamans and Gods which then turns into a horrible war with Game of Thornes type of messed up shit constantly happening to your favourite characters I would definitely recommend this book to you. Just be warned everyone is kind of is a drug addict or simply crazy.
The only thing that some people might miss is the lack of a romance plot in this book, I feel like it probably would not fit Rins character or the general focus on the more important things in this world but it would have helped to lighten the mood in the second part of the book.
Character Analysis (cause why not, I have time and I have opinions...):
Atlan:
So first of all I would like to say, Justice for my man Atlan
Now people say that if life gives you lemons then you should make lemonade. Atlan thinks this is bullshit because life gave him
Nezha
Now also, Justice for my man Nezha
Rin
So while I like Rin and her determination, I am also like girl get a grip on your character. It is said that she is impatient and rash but girl.
I am also looking forward to seeing how she is going to be in future books because basically, most people who meant something to her died a horrible death because of the Empress so revenge ark incoming. I mean it is already hinted that she is crazy (like everyone else in this entire book)but burning yourself to feel pain to be awake to study, what was that? Also, I know this is a book but if you constantly study like a crazy person, no sleep, no food with no proper rest, then maybe you can do that one or two times when you are young but if you don't recover not only will you not learn anything because well the brain needs sleep to consolidate memories but also you are going to get very sick.
And please please if he is alive give Nezha and her a better relationship, they need to talk about things and like just become better friends.
Jiang
I love this man, he is the coolest edge lord (very anime sensei coded) but also hilariously funny. I mean like he is described as a mad man but he truly is one of the few and only sane characters in this book
Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Genocide, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Violence, and War
jane_farstrider's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Violence, Genocide, and Rape
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Torture, Addiction, and Child death
enaraccoon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Murder, and War
nyky's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The MC is not a great character, very one-dimensional (along with many of the characters) in her quest for power, revenge, etc. which seems ironic for someone who was supposed to be really good at Strategy and whose specialty was basically magical philosophy. Overall the whole plot is very YA, young self-righteous girl against the world but with only ok execution.
The philosophical and theological aspects, especially the GateKeeper, save the story. Not sure if I will continue to the next one though.
Graphic: Genocide and Violence
mladerer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: War, Rape, Addiction, Colonisation, Violence, Genocide, and Gore
shantanutrip's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Genocide, and Fire/Fire injury
pansi'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: Death, Blood, and Genocide
Minor: Addiction
sabberg6'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: Body horror, Genocide, and War
Minor: Sexual violence and Rape
noahhh_'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
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Drug use, Gore, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, War, Body horror, Mental illness, Addiction, Drug abuse, Murder, Bullying, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Genocide
Minor: Animal death
mmccombs's review against another edition
4.5
I knew vaguely that this book was based on real Chinese and Japanese history, but had no idea how deeply it drew from the Sino Japanese War and the Nanjing Massacre, which compels me to know more about this time in history (whenever a book makes me want to read more, particularly to seek out nonfiction, that is a huge accomplishment!). Obviously, because of this history, this book got dark and gruesome and hard to read, but I think Kuang included these parts (particularly chapter 21) tastefully and with a hope for the reader to understand the brutal gravity of war and informed Rin’s complicated response to it.
Rin’s character is so moving, I was prepared for a “morally gray” character but I think got so much more than that. She is funny, furious, sharp, naive, scared, brave… the list goes on, and I can’t wait to continue her character arc. I loved watching her, and the people around her, wrestle with history, with evil, with what one should do with power, and what one owes to their country. This touches on colonialism and racism in a way I think Kuang expanded upon and did much more interestingly in Babel, but it was cool to see those roots here.
I cannot wait to talk about this one in my bookclub, I think this will make for a great conversation, and I equally cannot wait to get into the rest of the series!
Graphic: War, Drug use, Torture, Addiction, Colonisation, Violence, Rape, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Racism, and Murder