64.7k reviews for:

Babel

R.F. Kuang

4.34 AVERAGE

anderdew's review against another edition

4.0

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It’s more of a 4.5 to me. This is the perfect mix of the romanticism of the British Empire and Postcolonial reality. It’s dark as fuck from like halfway on but still done so so so well. Ever since I studied Postcolonial theory and coloniality I never thought it could be mixed into my historical fantasy so well :)

jillyknit's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

romem_m's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

kricks21's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Rebecca is a master class at prose, character development, and emotional intimacy. 
 
I will be thinking about Robin, Ramy, and Victor for a long time. The bond these characters share and their diversity are what make this story worth the read. The importance of this novel can not be overstated enough, especially in our current climate today. I loved this novel and the message it is telling. Kuang does a fantastic job of highlighting key diversity in the story and the reason we need diversity in our world everyday. 

My only gripe is that Kuang does hold the readers hands, but in some contexts (like this one) that is needed. 

downbytheriver's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

reina2101's review against another edition

4.75

challenging sad tense medium-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: No

elenesedai's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional inspiring 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: Complicated

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This book destroyed me. I need time to process 

sweetncssx's review against another edition

5.0

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“You have such a great fear of freedom, brother. It’s shackling you. You’ve identified so hard with the colonizer, you think any threat to them is a threat to you. When are you going to realize you can’t be one of them?”

tayyloranne's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

thejuj's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes