Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - The Dragon Republic

Ha! I’m back. You might be thinking “3 stars? That’s an improvement”. Yes and no. The plot interests me, especially with the historical aspect. So was I at least entertained during this book? Yes. But as for the characters… this is the first time I’ve ever rooted for a main character to die. I wish I could bring Rin to life just so I could slap her across the face. She is quite literally the worst person. The only thing she hasn’t done yet is rape someone which by my standards, does not absolve her the least bit from being objectively terrible. Like no one in this series is even remotely good? Or neutral? Or minor oh bad? Everyone is undeniably evil and then turns to the next person and says they are evil. I suppose this is life and historically accurate, but damn. I started to enjoy this book when I pretended there were no characters and I was just reading about historical events.

What it comes down to, is if you are going to successfully write a morally gray/villainous main character, you should be offering the reader perspective. I like reading those type of characters to learn from different perspectives. But there are some perspectives that truly do not need to be heard or even matter. I do not need to know nor do I have anything to learn from a serial killer other than grotesque fascination. And Rin isn’t even real so nothing of her perspective or truth can be translated to life. She truly just sucks. And I really cannot tell whether the author is doing this intentionally. I guess if this is intentional, pat on the back Kuang. Cause you truly created the worst, most despicable character I’ve ever encountered.

And *spoiler* can we just talk about how Rin disowns the South to poise as elitest trash when really the South didn’t do anything to her. Her caretaker sucked but that was about it. And then when it conveniences her to start another war, suddenly she going to fight for the South. But actually, she literally said she’s going to send tens of thousands of “bodies” just to basically get back at Nezha. Oh my god, just thinking about that again, I really hope she dies in the next book. Everyone else sucks too but she is truly just garbage. I have nothing to root for. Also, her whole thing with Altan. Weird. Just weird. So anyway, see you after the third book.

Content Warnings

jessicaludden's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark 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

5.0

“So do not shirk from war, child. Do not flinch from suffering. When you hear screaming, run toward it.”

This book had me stressed the ENTIRE time. I’m still stressed. I never knew how Rin was gonna get out of any of those situations. I still don’t, but I am sooo pumped for the next book. This was so good. The war and politics, the power struggles, and the PAIN. Rin finally realized that Altan was no hero and effectively moved on from him. R.F. Kuang did an amazing job portraying Rin’s love and disdain for Altan as she let go of him and refused to let him have anymore power over her. The way this book ended had me screaming with excitement. Rin was betrayed. Again. But this time she’s taking matters into her own hands. She’s finally not taking orders from anyone else and I am SO here for it. Overall, this series continues to live up to expectations and I cannot wait for the finale.

Content Warnings

fareehareads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I only knocked down half a star because some of my favs perished in this book, but rest assured, this is a 5 star book. This is a game of thrones level, politically complex, brutal, sprawling epic fantasy and I'm so glad I'm on this journey. Fang Runin has got to be one of the most compelling fantasy protagonists I've met in a long time. I disagree with so many of her conclusions, but I root for her cause anyway because I know what drove her there. The provinces and their complicated relationships, the difficult choices made to end the Empress' reign, all the stakes being so high and of course Rin's life is always in the middle of it all, it's beautifully done. I get her anger, I want her to burn the world, but I also feel terribly sympathetic for her. It crushes me how many times she was see as less than human (the line 'I am not a dog.' was said more than once) and how even her closest friends looked down. Even now I don't believe she has a single living ally that I trust 100% (minus Kitay, he's proven himself. kind of.) It's incredibly maddening but it furthers her cause to ultimately burn all of it to the ground and I for one can't wait to watch her do it. The next part of this review is all a spoiler.

Okay now for the pain. wowowowow the deaths were harsh and I knew they were coming but they still hurttt. Nezha STABBING her at the very end was not okay and I should have seen it coming because I didn't trust the boy for one second during the entire book, but I know Rin did and THAT is what hurts. All of these men that she either looks up to, loves, or admires always let her down so profoundly that she has no choice but to be her own support system. Makes me want to hug her.
Jinzha's death was great, super satisfying.
Qara's death I could see coming from a mile away since she got lines for the first time the whole series, but I like the little moment where she told Rin that she wasn't overpowered by Chagan she was simply in the spiritual world, that was nice. Ramsa, Suni and Baji's deaths were just unfair. They should have gotten a watery end in battle instead of on a chopping block. It also felt a bit cheap to me since it was acknowledged earlier that if the Hesperians knew that they were shamans maybe they would have been spared (tortured for sure, but with potential of a jail break). But it looks like the whole Cike plotline is being burned as a part of Rin's past. Chagan being the last among them is still annoying to me. All the annoying men in this that keep not dying sucks so much.

Overall this book is such a painful and incredible journey. I highly recommend it.

Content Warnings

natfig's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

jakepasseri's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

Even more enjoyable than the first! Enthralling and dark. The character development, twists and action were amazing

Content Warnings

More...