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pinkystar_bobsky'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
5.0
R.F. Kuang's writing is gripping from beginning to end. Her words brought every scene to life right before my eyes.
Due to depression and adhd, for months I have had a difficult time reading books. I could not read more than 8 pages at a time before getting distracted, or simply losing the will to read on, even if it was a book I really looked forward to reading. I am so, so happy that I am in a better place now, I'm on medication, I'm exercising, taking better care of myself, literally touching grass. I'm so incredibly grateful that I was in the right state of mind to fully enjoy this story. And I'm glad I took my time with it and didn't rush to binge it on one day, no matter how gripping it was. I'm so incredibly lucky to have read this.
I am also entirely unprepared to read the next three books. I cannot imagine what more pain R.F. Kuang is about to inflict on me. I don't know if I'm ready but I'm starting The Dragon Republic straight away. Holy fucking shit man, I'm kinda terrified to continue this lol
Graphic: Drug abuse, Death, Violence, War, Blood, Genocide, Murder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Grief, and Racism
edie_a's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Gore, Child death, Torture, Sexual violence, and War
Moderate: Drug abuse, Animal death, and Drug use
anxiousshorebird's review
- 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
3.25
This book suffered from mismatched tone and some bad pacing. It felt like a YA magic school novel (complete with a Draco Malfoy type character) for way too long. Then by the end it was a grim dark, violent, war torn character study. It felt like an abrupt shift. Looking back, I see some merit to experiencing the MC's journey from determined teenager to hardened soldier along with her. While reading it, however, I found myself wishing her origins were told through intermittent flashbacks.
I really enjoy the world that Juang created. I love that she hasn't shied away from a DEEPLY flawed main character. Frankly, I don't even like this MC. But o sure loved reading her story once I got passed the slog of her schooling.
All in all, it's far from a 5 star read for me, but it's a very commendable debut novel. I won't hesitate to read the rest of the trilogy. I plan to read a light romance before the next Poppy War book though, because this shit got DARK.
Speaking of, please check the content warnings. Since the beginning is so much more tame than the rest, it's worth the risk of spoiling yourself a bit to make sure you know what you're getting into. I recommend skipping chapter 21 if you're someone who can take a lot, but have a limit.
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, War, Body horror, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood, Violence, Drug abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Addiction, Excrement, Animal death, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Trafficking
mollyjoy__'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: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Violence, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Body horror, Child death, Addiction, Death, Suicide, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and War
Chapter 21 of this book is especially hard to read and details recollections of extremely graphic violence towards women and sexual assault.bobaandcaffeine'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
Graphic: Colonisation, Drug use, War, Drug abuse, Genocide, and Gore
thejwq's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Child death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Child abuse, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Blood, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Gore, Murder, War, Slavery, and Torture
markseyy'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
4.0
Graphic: War, Drug abuse, Genocide, Rape, Gore, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Self harm, Addiction, Animal death, Death, and Drug use
tne_network'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
5.0
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: War, Gore, Violence, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
Minor: Murder, Racism, Infertility, Vomit, Child abuse, Self harm, and Confinement
thehannahclaire'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: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Gore, Child death, Grief, Death, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Torture, Sexual assault, War, Hate crime, Rape, Violence, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Body horror, and Addiction
Moderate: Self harm, Cursing, Vomit, and Classism
renorsomethin'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
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Violence, Drug abuse, Murder, Torture, Genocide, Sexual assault, Blood, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Gore, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Self harm, Colonisation, Infertility, Cursing, Vomit, Classism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Child death, Classism, Xenophobia, Animal death, and Death of parent