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alfspoilerspren's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Biphobia, Body shaming, Violence, and War
alexisgarcia's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Violence, Death, Colonisation, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Classism, Cursing, Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, Gore, Infertility, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Torture, War, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
idiomie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Confinement, Murder, Racial slurs, Ableism, Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Racism, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Violence, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Gore, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
schnaucl's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'm ignorant of the historical background, and the author says in the beginning it's not really an alternate history although it sounds like it's partly inspired by a historical figure.
It's definitely based on a culture that's different from my own (I don't mean the internal and external misogyny). I'm talking about the yin/yang and five elements of the magic system. I briefly wondered why you couldn't have pilots of the same gender for example, then realized that the yin/yang balance was the explanation.
The world Zhao created is interesting and I'm really looking forward to learning more.
The description of how Wu's feet were crushed was brutal. I remember seeing pictures and x-rays of a woman's bound feet in a course in college and it was horrifying. I'm glad it wasn't just mentioned at the beginning and then never raised an issue again. It makes sense that it would be something Wu constantly thinks about since it would obviously impact her daily living.
I did wonder about the "gods" even before the end. For one thing it's interesting that no one seems to pray for an individual thing (e.g. not to be sold as a pilot concubine or to do well in battle or even just to make pain stop. Maybe it's because they have proof gods are real and they don't really interfere on that level or maybe that's just another cultural difference). I really want to know what they use the husks for. Presumably the "gods" are in fact, other humans, maybe from a more advanced society.
I liked the triad of Wu, Yizhi and Shimin and I liked that there didn't seem to be jealousy once they all got to know each other, just love.
Shimin was a really interesting character and I liked that Wu slowly got to see more of who he really was. The idea that he was a beautiful artist was a nice (and tragic) touch. I'm really sorry he died. Given that this is a science-fiction book and we don't really know the rules, I don't know if he can actually be brought back or not but I have a feeling he wouldn't be the same even if he could be. But it's hard to know what the cultural/religious/psychological impact of such a thing would be.
I was glad we got to see some some boys who objected to the sacrifice of girl pilots. I think Wu thinks that revealing the truth about the pilot seats will spark a change but I don't think that's right (and given the world Zhao created, my guess is they don't believe it either). There's a lot riding on the status quo. Boys are more prized than girls, selling girls as concubine pilots brings in money to further advance boys. Boys presumably carry on the family name in a way that girls don't. I think it will certainly spark some people (of all genders) to revolt but I don't think society-wide reform is going to happen overnight. And if the knowledge that in fact they are the invaders on the planet becomes public knowledge that may cause things to be upended even more quickly. Of course, that raises all kinds of questions. It doesn't sound like the population was aware there were other populated planets which has all kinds of implications, as does the fact that it seems like Hunden are sentient and can communicate verbally as well as through feelings (something that so far has been ignored but presumably will play a role later on). I'm also curious about Yizhi's tattoos.
Interesting world, interesting characters. More please!
Graphic: Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
Moderate: Xenophobia, Addiction, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Torture, Gun violence, Death, Violence, Murder, and War
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia