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Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Xenophobia
it was a bit slow going in the first third of the book, which I was debating on giving a 4.5, but then it PICKED UP
Graphic: Rape, Violence, War
Graphic: Violence, War
Moderate: Rape
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Racism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Graphic: Death, Rape, Violence, War
Graphic: Rape, Torture, Abortion, Murder, War
The world-building is richer and the central conflict manages to be even more of a moral quagmire than the first book. Moreover, the emotionality of the book is stronger than the first one - I was brought to tears at times. The book also ends things to set up for a great conclusion in the third book.
A couple critiques come to mind - I like the moral complexity of the book, but the main character's internal conflict seems to ebb and flow so much that I got a bit of whiplash at times. Also,
One final thought - like the first book, this book is a page-turner, but can be tough to read - Kuang does not shy away from describing the harsh realities of war, so be prepared for some pretty gruesome and harrowing descriptions.
Graphic: Rape, Violence, War
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, Vomit, War