Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit
Minor: Abortion
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:
Yes
I have no words, that ending gave me chills, and I need to pick up The Burning God ASAP.
There’s always something so satisfying about reading a main character that is undoubtedly, unapologetically, and wholeheartedly themselves. Like, there’s not even space for you to wonder if they’re a surrogate for the reader— nah, the reader gotta experience their experiences. Feel their feelings. Wince when they get hurt, feel stabbed when they get stabbed, and I fucking love that.
Even from the first book, I caught myself seeing my own frustrations/angers reflected in Rin, but after this book, that anger in me festered into a sort of admiration. I admire how strong-willed she is to stick to her path, no matter what. But, It’s also depressing to see her fall back into the mentality of allowing herself to be used and manipulated— over and over— betrayals that we as readers can see a mile away, but it still fucking stings to read when it finally gets revealed. Yet despite all this, Rin continues on her path. Destruction and War has become part of her, and that’s equal parts devastating, and revolutionary.
Major things I loved whilst reading this was how the characters were developed from the first book, and how the plot unfolded. I think its impossible to read this trilogy and not reflect on our own society— and to draw such a strong metaphor on these horrific events with so much carefully done writing and portrayal is a praise in of itself. Though the events weren’t 100% the same, the events Kuang decided to write amplified the stakes, and the risks of what was happening in Nikan, and made all the fear, sadness and happiness that we felt as readers so genuine. And honestly, some moments in this book just made me feel seen. In the noise of all the western-biased views of War and Conquest, we hear a perspective screaming to be heard.
And don’t get me started on how entranced I am with the characters of this book. Chen Kitay has to be one of my most favourite side protagonist ever. His bite, intelligence, empathy, and respect for the people around him, and his ability to react to the situations he faces is just beautiful??? I don’t know how to describe it. I also loved how Venka’s character was explored in this book, so much care was put out to this characterisation and I would be a fool to ignore it. And lastly, Nezha and Rin’s unbreakable soul-tied bond was just further established and I’m suuuuch a sucker for deep yearning masked behind this level of rage, disappointment and hatred.
++Altan haunting the narrative is a nice touch.
I probably have a lot more to say, but I honestly need to sit with this. I feel something inbetween excitement and dread? It’s like everytime something bad happens in this book you’re never rewarded with a happy moment, let alone a happy ending— it’s always followed with more pain, and even deeper suspicion. So many new enemies and possibilities are going to be explored in the next book, and I have to say It’s been awhile since I’ve read a second installation of a series and enjoyed it this much😭
There’s always something so satisfying about reading a main character that is undoubtedly, unapologetically, and wholeheartedly themselves. Like, there’s not even space for you to wonder if they’re a surrogate for the reader— nah, the reader gotta experience their experiences. Feel their feelings. Wince when they get hurt, feel stabbed when they get stabbed, and I fucking love that.
Even from the first book, I caught myself seeing my own frustrations/angers reflected in Rin, but after this book, that anger in me festered into a sort of admiration. I admire how strong-willed she is to stick to her path, no matter what. But, It’s also depressing to see her fall back into the mentality of allowing herself to be used and manipulated— over and over— betrayals that we as readers can see a mile away, but it still fucking stings to read when it finally gets revealed. Yet despite all this, Rin continues on her path. Destruction and War has become part of her, and that’s equal parts devastating, and revolutionary.
Major things I loved whilst reading this was how the characters were developed from the first book, and how the plot unfolded. I think its impossible to read this trilogy and not reflect on our own society— and to draw such a strong metaphor on these horrific events with so much carefully done writing and portrayal is a praise in of itself. Though the events weren’t 100% the same, the events Kuang decided to write amplified the stakes, and the risks of what was happening in Nikan, and made all the fear, sadness and happiness that we felt as readers so genuine. And honestly, some moments in this book just made me feel seen. In the noise of all the western-biased views of War and Conquest, we hear a perspective screaming to be heard.
And don’t get me started on how entranced I am with the characters of this book. Chen Kitay has to be one of my most favourite side protagonist ever. His bite, intelligence, empathy, and respect for the people around him, and his ability to react to the situations he faces is just beautiful??? I don’t know how to describe it. I also loved how Venka’s character was explored in this book, so much care was put out to this characterisation and I would be a fool to ignore it. And lastly, Nezha and Rin’s unbreakable soul-tied bond was just further established and I’m suuuuch a sucker for deep yearning masked behind this level of rage, disappointment and hatred.
++Altan haunting the narrative is a nice touch.
I probably have a lot more to say, but I honestly need to sit with this. I feel something inbetween excitement and dread? It’s like everytime something bad happens in this book you’re never rewarded with a happy moment, let alone a happy ending— it’s always followed with more pain, and even deeper suspicion. So many new enemies and possibilities are going to be explored in the next book, and I have to say It’s been awhile since I’ve read a second installation of a series and enjoyed it this much😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Gore, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
sad
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:
Yes
Rebecca when I catch you Rebecca 🤺
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I enjoyed this book more than the first. This is an action-packed sequel where Rin essentially faces the consequences of all her actions in book 1 for 600 pages. It is sad and harrowing - Kuang is never afraid to kill her darlings in increasingly gruesome and violent ways - but I forgot how funny some of the dialogue is, which is a sharp reminder that these characters are just kids who like to banter. The parallels with Chinese history continue and potentially become even more clear with the arrival of the Hesperian colonisers - if you know even the smallest bit about world history you will know that they are a truly sinister threat. The ending was absolutely brutal and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 3. I will say that I’ve grown pretty attached to Rin as a protagonist, but knowing how Kuang likes to treat her characters, I am very scared for the conclusion of this trilogy.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I enjoyed this book more than the first. This is an action-packed sequel where Rin essentially faces the consequences of all her actions in book 1 for 600 pages. It is sad and harrowing - Kuang is never afraid to kill her darlings in increasingly gruesome and violent ways - but I forgot how funny some of the dialogue is, which is a sharp reminder that these characters are just kids who like to banter. The parallels with Chinese history continue and potentially become even more clear with the arrival of the Hesperian colonisers - if you know even the smallest bit about world history you will know that they are a truly sinister threat. The ending was absolutely brutal and I cannot wait to get my hands on book 3. I will say that I’ve grown pretty attached to Rin as a protagonist, but knowing how Kuang likes to treat her characters, I am very scared for the conclusion of this trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
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
this was not a world of men. it was a world of gods, a time of great powers. it was the era of divinity walking in man, of wind and water and fire. and in warfare, she who held the battle asymmetry was the inevitable victor
i'm- I have no words
i said I wanted this book to destroy me and it didn't quite. but I did scream and shout a lot so I guess that counts.
this is everything that could follow the poppy war and more. and the characters!!! and the plot!!!! I've spent this entire book telling characters the methods they were using were not the right ones to get to their goal. BUT THEY PLAYED ME. THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
and then when I thought that by the end I had an idea of where it was going THEY HIT ME AGAIN. I wasn't ready (that bit did destroy me a little)
insanely realistic and with the same topics as the first one and even more. I never knew one could tap into so many so well at the same time and portray how awful they are in such a way that you feel them in you
chefs kiss. also I hate anyone who ever held power in this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, War, Classism
challenging
dark
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Blood, War
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Vomit, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Alcohol
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Suicide attempt, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
An incredibly impressive follow up to The Poppy War! I really loved how much Kuang dug into the complexities of the politics behind the Dragon Republic and its rebellion. The addition of the Hesperians and the Hinterlanders really expanded the world in a necessary and believable way, and it allowed us to get a better idea of how Rin and other Nikarans situate themselves within their world.
Certain elements felt a little rushed or underdeveloped (do we really think Rin learned how to master those wings in such a short amount of time?), but as a counterbalance we got to see certain side characters develop into much more fully-formed participants in the story. I think Rin's character benefitted from having so many other personalities to play off of—she wasn't able to stay stuck in her own beliefs for very long. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out, for good and ill, as the story continues.
I'm really excited to see how Kuang wraps up the series, and what parts of 20th century Chinese history she'll interweave into the final installment.
Certain elements felt a little rushed or underdeveloped (do we really think Rin learned how to master those wings in such a short amount of time?), but as a counterbalance we got to see certain side characters develop into much more fully-formed participants in the story. I think Rin's character benefitted from having so many other personalities to play off of—she wasn't able to stay stuck in her own beliefs for very long. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out, for good and ill, as the story continues.
I'm really excited to see how Kuang wraps up the series, and what parts of 20th century Chinese history she'll interweave into the final installment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Racism, Rape, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Abortion, Alcohol
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, I enjoy this book and this series so lich. It does not pret and the world is black and white. It sits and explores the messy gray area of morality and decisions. It explores how it seems every choice is a wrong choice. This book started off and continued with a lot of darkness. There should be trigger warnings for this book as there is some graphic descriptions of substance abuse, murder, war, and rape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry