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cheye13's review against another edition
- 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
Even more so than the previous book, the transness in this one is tangible. A number of lines were clearly written in response to current events in our world. The interweaving of the ensemble is just as masterful as the first book. Beginning this book, I was afraid that it would fall short because my favorite element of book one couldn't continue (
My options discussing this book are to break it down entirely and speak at length, or to simply say it's magnificent, and I suppose I'll settle for the latter.
(I strongly recommend checking content warnings. If you would prefer not to, keep the tone and events of book one in mind and know book two pushes a little bit further.)
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, War, Miscarriage, Self harm, Death, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Rape, Homophobia, Ableism, Suicide, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Abortion, Colonisation, Cursing, Dysphoria, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Trafficking
A number of characters rely on dissociation as a coping mechanism. Especially compared to the previous book, there is quite a bit of on-page sex. While technically on page, it is almost never graphically detailed. Additionally (and fitting for the setting), it almost always falls into the dicey consent grounds of transactional sex – e.g. a lesbian actively choosing to sleep with a certain man for money or power. There is a single rape scene, and again, while on-page, it's brief and sparsely detailed.keetham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, Homophobia, Murder, Gore, Sexism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, War, Blood, Violence, Grief, and Sexual assault
This is a book mostly about war and colonialism so, while well done and worth it in most cases, it’s not an easy readhannamy's review against another edition
- 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
So many threads woven together with an expert hand. I missed Ma’s perspective until I realised that Parker-Chan only allows the reader to see through the eyes of characters performing their gender /gender roles. There are beautifully deft hints at further depth to secondary characters, and the multilayered approach to storytelling creates a richly textured world.
The characters are so truly unique, it’s a rare talent to be able to create such immersive and separate perspectives. The way that different characters hold the weight of power and heartbreak, the relentless drive of a need to prove the worthiness of one’s life to history.
I adore that Zhu never gave up, even at the last minute. It’s so frustrating when characters buckle under the weight of the narrative to make the ‘right’ choice and leave the power behind. That wouldn’t have been right for Zhu. This book is dark, and doesn’t shy away from that.
My only complaint would be that it felt a little predictable for the ‘good’ and ‘honourable’ characters to be killed off. I know that to survive in this world you need to be ruthless, and their deaths shaped the protagonists dramatically, but the pain felt a little one dimensional through it’s predictability.
This review may not be all that comprehensible, I’ve literally just finished the book and am still reeling from its mastery. It makes me want to write essays about literature, gender, and so much more. This is a duology that should be enmeshed into the literary canon for future study.
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Abortion
maireadalice's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Self harm
spootilious's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Title: He Who Drowned the World
Review:
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Animal death, Body shaming, Death of parent, Grief, Pregnancy, Racism, Murder, Outing, Suicide, Torture, Confinement, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Gore, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Classism, Deadnaming, Violence, Vomit, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child death, Abortion, Blood, Sexual assault, Slavery, War, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Sexual content
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Self harm, Sexism, Murder, Death, War, and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia, Infertility, Child death, Miscarriage, Ableism, Pregnancy, Medical content, Rape, Infidelity, Gore, Sexual assault, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, and Slavery
Minor: Death of parent and Vomit
viktorsboy's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, Death, Torture, Grief, and War
Moderate: Infertility, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, and Miscarriage
taowlette's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Ableism, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Gore, Grief, Sexual content, Addiction, Murder, Rape, Death, Self harm, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
its_thekla's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.75
Read this duology. Mind the triggers. It's a terrible time- you'll love it.
Graphic: War, Racism, Blood, Violence, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Misogyny, and Body shaming
Moderate: Child death, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Self harm, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
adisiki's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Self harm and Rape