Reviews with content warning for Gore - Haşhaş Savaşı

Reviews tagging 'Gore'

Haşhaş Savaşı by R.F. Kuang

1639 reviews

ringofkeyz's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

i really loved this book and r. f. kuang truly has a way with words. the world-building was incredible from beginning to end, whether it be through the history of the nation and provinces or the continuously building lore around shamanism in both the characters and warring nations.

while the tonal shift between parts i and ii was jarring, it felt necessary in terms of story-telling. upon reading part i, you assume that you're in for a more magical/martial arts focused schooling story; something where the education aspect is the primary focus. when part ii hits, you're IMMEDIATELY thrust onto the frontlines of the war and kuang does not hold back. the tone immediately becomes gruesome and dark, almost unexpectedly so. however, this works narratively because it mirrors the experience of the protagonist, rin, in the novel. there is no lead-up, no warning to the prompt arrival of pillaging, murder, r*pe, and bloodshed for the reader because there is no warning for that in real life. while it was definitely off-putting at the start, in hindsight it not only makes sense but also feels necessary in order for kuang to accomplish what she set out to write.

the book was incredibly well-written, the world-building sucked me into the story immediately, and the downfall of rin's morality has me eager to read the second book.

it just needs to be said to incoming readers that this book is dark, gruesome, and describes the perils of war in extremely vivid detail to the point where i had to put the book down and walk away before picking it back up because it made me nauseous.

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kingspite618's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

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carebearnecessities's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This lives up to the hype. Enticing, humorous, and “magical” at first, the story quickly devolves into a devastating, soul crushing, and tension-packed narrative… I’m very glad I’m reading this when the sequels are already out, I don’t think I would be able to function properly if I had to wait around to discover what happens next.

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ebreheny25's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I’ve wanted to read this book for ages and it has lived up to all expectations. I feel like Rebecca dropped you in the middle of Rin’s world in a way that was not harsh, but it was exhilarating. I am so excited to read the rest of the trilogy.

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vermilliontoad's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

The beginning with the gifted school environment was a little hard to get into, but by the midway point I was fully engaged and tore through the rest of the book! It’s definitely dark, but so captivating.

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