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adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this more than its predecessor. I think “fun” is the wrong word for this book, but it was compelling, and even gripping towards the end. I have some critiques, certainly, but I’m holding my breath for the final book to see how they might be addressed …
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Rape, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
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
What I Liked
As in The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic is dark, gritty, and reminiscent of Chinese history as told through mythology. This book explores the equivalent of the Chinese Civil War (1927-1949). It was informative for me; while the series is mythological fantasy, it allows a glimpse into the culture, background, and rationale for the Chinese Civil War. It also explores the repercussions of opium addiction, territorial warfare, and the clashing of ideologies.
The Dragon Republic is an insightful exploration of (recent) Chinese history and ideology through the lens of mythical fantasy, and it works. I wish more authors wrote historical/mythical fantasy to educate their readers about real-life events, whether positive or negative. Fiction and fantasy have a way of working underneath the reader’s skin in a way that a history textbook can’t.
What I Didn’t Like
Similar to The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic is violent and gritty. One of the most disturbing scenes involves a rape and the subsequent violent murder of the rapist. Other scenes include mass murder on a scale that I, in my Western Canadian upbringing, can’t fathom because I simply can’t imagine that many people in one location, never mind going to war with one another (all Eastern readers may now laugh at me… it’s okay).
Similar to The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic is violent and gritty. One of the most disturbing scenes involves a rape and the subsequent violent murder of the rapist. Other scenes include mass murder on a scale that I, in my Western Canadian upbringing, can’t fathom because I simply can’t imagine that many people in one location, never mind going to war with one another (all Eastern readers may now laugh at me… it’s okay).
At first, I didn’t like Rin’s descent into opium addiction. It seemed desperate and futile. However, it is necessary to depict the desperation of addiction to communicate the intensity of it. Kuang does well in this. Not to worry, Rin does break free of her addiction (at least to drug use). Her vices are many; she is a deeply flawed character, which lends to a certain unlikability, mostly because she continues to make choices that lead to harm.
Major Themes
Addiction as a response to PTSD, trauma, and grief: Rin doesn’t know how to deal with the consequences of her actions, so she allows her anger to fuel her into rash actions that endanger more lives. She uses addiction to cope with her intense, out-of-control emotions… not the best tool to use, but the only one at her disposal until Vaisra pulls her out of her self-destructive behaviours. Even so, Vaisra becomes another sort of addiction as Rin desperately seeks his approval.
“But she didn’t want to be strong. Because if she were strong then she would be sober, and if she were sober she would have to consider the consequences of her actions. Then she’d have to look into the chasm.” (108)
“She craved Vaisra. She wanted his approval. Needed it. He provided her with structure, control, and direction that she hadn’t had since Altan died, and it felt so terribly good.” (171)
Colonization: It’s no secret—the Hesperians are equivalent to the Western world, especially Britain, and their thirst for conquest and colonialization is insatiable. Kunag makes no secret of her dislike for the Western colonialism of Asia, and it’s no wonder, since Britain and the other European powers effectively raped the land of resources and ripped away Chinese culture, identity, and dignity. Rape, then, is an adequate motif in the book. Religion is also closely tied with colonialism; convert the nation, and they will be docile and obedient to the ruling powers.
“We’re not equals,” Augus said. “But that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. And I don’t think the path to salvation involves treating you like you’re not people.” Augus, Rin realized, really thought that he was being kind. (320)
Democracy, imperialism, and dictatorship: The ideologies begin to run hot in this book. Ideals of democracy are thrown around and criticized. Imperial rule is contested and defended. Dictatorship isn’t yet a reality, but the reader begins to see why Nikara chooses that path as it is steeped in civil war over ideologies and ambition.
“The Nikara people aren’t ready for democracy. They’re sheep. They’re crude, uneducated fools.” (153)
“Democracy’s not going to work. Look at them… They’re cows. Fools. They’re voting for the Republic because they’re scared—I’m sure they’d vote just as quickly to join the Federation… They need someone to tell them what to do, what to think—” (305)
Writing Style
Kuang continues her direct, insightful writing style in The Dragon Republic. She weaves powerful statements and motifs into her characters’ narrative arcs in ways that do not feel forced or clichéd. Her descriptions are visceral and evocative. Rin’s internal narrative is emotionally charged and intense. The strategy and militarism are not overwhelming; they move the plot along smoothly without becoming bogged down.
Tropes
- Antihero and descent into darkness
- Magical military fantasy
- Post-traumatic growth/decline
- Found family
Others Like This
- The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
- Babel by R.F. Kuang
General Rating: Adult (18+ / TV-MA)
Spice Rating: Severe; Rape witnessed by the protagonist in ch. 28, rape discussed by characters
Violence Rating: Severe**; Brutal descriptions of war, rape descriptions, massacre, torture
Profanity Rating: Severe; 154 occurrences of f*ck, one use of c*nt
Violence Rating: Severe**; Brutal descriptions of war, rape descriptions, massacre, torture
Profanity Rating: Severe; 154 occurrences of f*ck, one use of c*nt
Reader discretion is advised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Rape, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Torture
Profanity: severe, 154 uses of f*ck, 4 uses of c*nt
Violence: severe, graphic descriptions of war violence, blood, injury, PTSD
Spice: severe, one rape scene in ch. 28
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Colonisation
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Main character’s evolution is both horrific and understandable, making this a challenging read. It’s well crafted and unique but it’s really a parade of major bummers getting worse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation
adventurous
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Abortion
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am very conflicted about this series. It was incredibly readable, fascinating and well written. And I loathed just about every character. Especially the main character. Which normally would make me put the book down. But this series has been the exception to that rule. I wanted to see what would happen, even as I fumed and raged at the idiocy of nearly everyone in the book. The saving grace for me is Kitay. And the plot really sucks you in. It is deeply disturbing though and doesn't shy away from the extreme violence of revolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma
This series doesn't shy away from the gruesomeness of source inspiration - I assume Mao's cultural revolution, rape of Nanking etc. Less deftly written it would be impossible to read without feeling quite revolted. It is really well written with a gripping plot, so the violence and the horror of war and war crimes does have purpose and is not just gratuitous.