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cryptofauna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
i am generally not a fan of a protag whos just a downer (and i hate self loathing in first person especially) so that was kind of a drawback of this book. her grief and anger were all valid which made it more bearable to read but still just not my favorite ever.
interesting plot and twists but just generally didn't feel that enthused because its so much of rin just being a problem and being manipulated by ever military man whos ever met her. its like her main flaw, and wasn't terrible but she just makes the same mistakes over and over which was a little frustrating.
i liked the characters and stuff and the writing as always is very strong.
Graphic: Racism, Violence, War, Drug use, Vomit, Sexual assault, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Classism, and Blood
Moderate: Self harm
gracemcbee'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
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Genocide, Drug abuse, Vomit, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual assault, Violence, War, Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Cannibalism, and Suicidal thoughts
syddey_syd's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Kuang has the ability to keep me on my toes with this series. I never knew what was coming next, but I did always know it wouldn’t be good.
Rin is a difficult character to like (in my opinion). Her decisions often baffle me, but they fit her character. The brutality of war is very manifest in this book; possibly a little less graphic than the first, but not by much. Racism, classicism, sexism—all of the isms are present. It made for a ponderous read, and I often had to take breaks because the subject matter was so heavy.
In terms of moving along the series, this was a fitting sequel to the first book. Rin had some character development, Nikara politics thicken, and even more outside forces come into play. I’m very interested to see how Kuang ties up the series. Reading is like watching a train wreck—it’s terrible and messy, but I can’t seem to look away.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Drug use, Religious bigotry, War, Addiction, Classism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Racism, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape
noms01'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
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Medical content, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Blood, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abortion
opinkb's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Murder, Genocide, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, War, Violence, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Vomit, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Self harm, Rape, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Blood, Drug use, and Child death
epointer44'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Rape, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, Death, Violence, Murder, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Classism, Drug abuse, Cursing, Child death, Colonisation, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, and Self harm
valrunin's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: War, Rape, Violence, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Self harm
rileyk96's review against another edition
5.0
i had a singular criticism but i no longer remember what it is. so. 5 stars!
Graphic: Gore, War, Rape, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Self harm
hexillith'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Drug abuse, War, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Colonisation, Classism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Kidnapping, Racism, Self harm, and Sexual assault
bookishedi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Racism, Religious bigotry, Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Confinement, Colonisation, Death, Murder, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, and Self harm
Moderate: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Sexism, Misogyny, Rape, Physical abuse, Abortion, Slavery, and Miscarriage
Minor: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Alcoholism