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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
The language and linguistics interwoven into the story are so intelligent and complex it really makes the magic system feel deep and profound. Multi-lingual readers will feel a deep connection and understanding to the way Robin thinks and i hope mono-lingual readers feel in awe as they glimpse the intricacies of translation and interpretation.
All of the characters are very real and readers will likely relate to at least one if not a couple of the main cast. They have believable flaws and relationships and each one grows or learns or teaches the audience to grow/learn.
All of the characters are very real and readers will likely relate to at least one if not a couple of the main cast. They have believable flaws and relationships and each one grows or learns or teaches the audience to grow/learn.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Racism, Violence, Medical trauma, Murder
Minor: Racial slurs
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Babel had me feeling all the emotions. I was laughing, gasping, and even tearing up a little. I loved how it explored the complexities of communication and misunderstandings between people, and the way the characters pasts shaped their choices really stuck with me. I also learned a lot about the different cultures and histories woven into the story, which made it feel even more real. The plot twists kept me on my toes, and I couldn’t put the book down.
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Way better than I thought it would be and tackled much much more with much more depth but I just wish we had known more about after…
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Islamophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Classism
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Suicide, Torture, Trafficking
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
So, this was my first R.F. Kuang book, and yep, it's just so beautifully written and well-researched. This is about dark academia fantasy, the power of languages, and colonialism in the 19th century. The plot moves at a steady pace, with some parts feeling too long, which made it a slow read for me over several days. However, those moments really helped build the characters and their relationships. Overall, it was an amazing book, but I don't think I'll read it again, it's emotionally heavy in some parts and left me feeling a little drained (but I guess that's more personal!). Still, I'd highly recommend it to anyone into languages and historical fiction!