Reviews tagging 'War'

Babel by R.F. Kuang

855 reviews

cayliehausman's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense slow-paced
  • 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? It's complicated

5.0

A beautifully written story of revolution in the face of colonization, racism and injustice. Though set in the 1830s, it’s startlingly relevant to the politics and issues of 2024; Kuang tells the fictional history in a way that makes you take a step back and see the bigger picture of the world, and it’s people, in 2024. 

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noms01's review

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative 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? Yes

5.0


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redheadorganist's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0


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theasi's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0


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idabwells's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Probably the most impactful book I've ever read besides Jemisin and Butler.

Manages to capture the devastating scope of colonial genocide while also portraying the courage and brilliance of those around the world struggling to survive and triumph over it. 



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bidpat's review against another edition

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dark 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

3.75


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giulia_rossi's review against another edition

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dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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xxlynxx's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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

5.0

Ow… 5 stars tho

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trashbinfluencer's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

4.25


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thelibraryskeeper's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-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

5.0

Babel is easily one of the most intelligently written novels I have ever read. This is my first book Ive read by the author so I cannot speak to the Poppy War Trilogy.

I first tried to read Babel in physical format and found I was struggling and getting rather caught up in the finer details. I switched to the audiobook and was golden. Chris Lew Kum Hoi is an outstanding narrator. 

Babel is what I would call a dark academia themed book. The story is told predominantly from the viewpoint of Robin Swift. He has been orphaned and brought to London to begin learning classical languages. He is told by his guardian that he will enroll into Oxford Univeristys Royal Imstitute of Translation. This is where knowledge is power and this power is translated literally into silver bars which the British Empire uses to essentially make life easier and more pleasant.

It is at Babel that Robin begins to see the British effects of Colonialism, racism, violence, and loss of identity all at once. As he starts to see more and more of this, Robin is introduced to the Hermes Society which is in direct opposition of all that is being taught at Babel.

Kuang does a fantastic job fleshing out the characters and many themes throughout the novel and there is great plot and character development. This book is full of DEEP themes and Kuang doesn't shy away from anything.

"But that's the beauty of learning a new language. It should feel like an enormous undertaking. It ought to intimidate you. It makes you appreciate the complexity of the ones you know already"

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