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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
_marycappiello3'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: Drug use, Murder, Rape, Violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Animal death, Death, War, Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Kidnapping, Body horror, and Child abuse
lindsaybethlyons's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: War, Gore, Death, Child death, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Colonisation, Genocide, Torture, Sexual violence, Rape, Physical abuse, Drug use, and Addiction
chris_reads'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Rape, Violence, Animal death, Gore, Colonisation, War, Racism, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Grief, Drug abuse, Sexism, Child death, Self harm, and Sexual violence
Minor: Bullying, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Addiction, and Vomit
aribookishly'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: Death, Child death, War, Ableism, Misogyny, Vomit, Addiction, Body horror, Colonisation, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Torture, Drug use, Genocide, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying
makaylasb'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
Graphic: Violence, War, Rape, Blood, Sexual assault, Bullying, Classism, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Colonisation, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Racism, and Sexual violence
mangooba'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
that being said, i found that this book was very well written and the character development was both realistic and well done. the mc has drastically changed, while shes obviously the same person in several ways, she is also not the same person in many other ways. that might not make sense without reading the book. if you dont have the reading comprehension to understand that decisions made are supposed to be poor decisions, and that characters will not be all good or all bad and its an incredibly complex situation just dont read this.
Graphic: Violence, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Slavery, Blood, Murder, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Drug use, Kidnapping, Racism, Rape, and War
Minor: Death of parent
the racism tag is fantasy racism inspired by real world values and views held by racist individuals, and racist regimes/systems.piprigsby'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
4.25
Graphic: Violence, War, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Rape, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Slavery
jays_secret_garden'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
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•6/5⭐️
Nothing could have prepared me for the third part of this book. I foolishly thought that the second part was absolutely crazy, but the third? Devastating. This book completely changed my perspective on life. It was so beautifully written that I feel like people don’t write books like this anymore. The FMC, Rin, is one of the best characters I have read in my entire life. From the first line she had in the book, I knew. Her absolute rage and hate actually means the world to me because how dare they make women and children hurt this much?
The topic of war, genocide, r*pe, etc., is HEAVY. I didn’t really read the trigger warnings because I like to go into books blind, but please read them :). Nothing could have prepared my heart for the heartbreak it would experience while reading the Golyn Noriis part, and even more so after reading the author’s note and finding out everything was inspired by real-life experiences of Chinese people. It broke my heart to read Venka’s story—I was sobbing!!!
I cannot wait to continue with the series because every two pages, something insane and unpredictable happens, and I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEXT BOOK!
Graphic: Misogyny, War, Police brutality, Pedophilia, Self harm, Physical abuse, Child death, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Gore, Murder, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Drug abuse, Trafficking, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Death, Death of parent, Genocide, Gun violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Blood
ashlyncherie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Violence, Child death, Sexual assault, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Animal death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Kidnapping, Rape, Torture, War, Addiction, Murder, and Colonisation