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Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Murder
Minor: Homophobia
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Murder, War
Moderate: Pedophilia, Kidnapping
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual content
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence
Minor: Racism
My main appreciation for this series as a whole, which I was able to digest more—while actually reading— upon reread, is how relevant the framing of perspective is to the narrative. The characters are so compelling (not to be mistaken with likable, heroic, or defendable), yet if this were another series, we could have easily been led by any of the other ‘antagonistic’ perspectives and feel just as compelled/ conflicted/ like their actions may be justifiable. It’s entirely plausible that I could have devoured this same plot framed as the story of an antihero—and that would have been the story of one of my most despised characters (a hatred which I can admit is probably more than a little irrational, seeing as it probably could be recontextualized without changing much about the character’s qualities. In this story, though, I legitimately had to brace myself every time we switched to that perspective). Even the aggravating development of protagonists felt motivated and human in their consistencies and inconsistencies. It’s hard to entirely love* or hate any character (*WITH ONE EXCEPTION. One beloved character). There’s a recurring motif of characters regarding each other with begrudging admiration, and I think that summarizes how I felt towards characters (cough, ****, cough) even in the midst of being appalled at certain actions. Really fascinating point for me to be so consumed by in a book that’s more plot-driven than what I typically gravitate toward. Characters are what make books for me, but I don’t need likable or lovable or even agreeable characters; I need interesting characters, and this series certainly delivers.
I will now attempt* to resist the impulse to immediately dive into Jade War (*specifically not an oath).
(((Also, the fact that I not only felt compelled to try, but actually delivered on writing out my thoughts in some semblance of organization? Unprecedented.)))
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Xenophobia, Medical content
Minor: Pedophilia, Dementia, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Sexism, Kidnapping
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Terminal illness, Dementia, Gaslighting, Classism
Minor: Cursing, Mental illness
Graphic: Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Murder, War
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Murder, Injury/Injury detail