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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-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:
Complicated
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Such a tour de force - so interesting and compelling. I think anything that calls this just "dark academia" or "Secret History x something else" is doing it a big disservice. The theme of empire and how it exploits its peripheries is comes through very strongly and makes this much more interesting than typical dark academia.
Some quibbles - silver working (magic) has existed since the Roman Empire, but otherwise world history mostly evolved in the same way as our universe? Some of the story beats are just a little too convenient - like, a bunch of "character-establishing moments" or set piece are being chained together, with less development between them. Like, it did feel a bit too neat thatRobin has to translate for a Chinese contractor as he's boarding the boat to London , or a student asks Victoire to fetch him a drink right when she arrives at a ball , or Professor Lovell calls Robin's mother "just some Ch*nk"! . But no matter - still a 5/5 read for me.
Some quibbles - silver working (magic) has existed since the Roman Empire, but otherwise world history mostly evolved in the same way as our universe? Some of the story beats are just a little too convenient - like, a bunch of "character-establishing moments" or set piece are being chained together, with less development between them. Like, it did feel a bit too neat that
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ending of this book is amazing. However, the work it too me as a reader to GET to the ending felt as if I had to go through years and years of language schooling myself! It took me 7 months to get over the hump of the first 250 pages, and I read the second half in 3 days.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I felt this book does a great job of addressing the effects of colonization and class structures through a fantasy alt-history. Kuang’s world-building and characterizations were engaging and I love the approachability of the messaging. While I found the pacing inconsistent at times, I think this is a great example of how literary fiction can educate one on deep topics of the world we live in.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
Writing an alternative history fiction on colonialism and violence, I think R.F. Kuang does a good job in storytelling. The book is heavily inspired by Frantz Fanon’s work, as I am currently getting through Wretched of the Earth which also argues the necessity of violence in anti-colonialism. The characters are well developed and the whole writing style seems to be simple yet well researched. One thing i would point out is the authors use of footnotes. I get that it’s for context or additional commentary, but it seems excessive and at times felt like it disrupted the story.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Found myself really enjoying the first half but the second dragged. Liked the commentary on translation and colonialism
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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