Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

Опиумная война by R.F. Kuang

2266 reviews

cflournoy64's review against another edition

2.0

dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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The book felt very rushed, especially in terms of character development. There were big jumps in time that glossed over a lot of backstory and potential character development, and the two halves of the book felt pretty disjointed. Plenty of reviews saying they loved it, but I thought the writing was pretty inconsistent and kinda amateur, honestly. The main character is also very unlikable (maybe intentionally to make a point but still not that great to read at the end of the day –at least for me).

Could be a good option if you like dark war stuff, you don't need someone to root for, and you don't mind extremely graphic violence (including a significant amount of sexual violence). Wasn't for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, War

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Self harm

kdepuy's review against another edition

2.5

dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use

ayeitsdaye's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Child death, Vomit

jordanamackey's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark 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

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Fang Runin.. the woman that you are. the epitome of morally grey character. It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that this book is based around actual events in history considering the atrocities that are committed. Definitely a book that you need to check trigger warnings on! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, War, Classism

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing

jjjadyn's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I don't think I even have the intelligence to describe my feelings towards this book, or maybe I'm just spaced out. The main character is the type of person to have no angel on their shoulder with no guide to peace. Part 2 of the book was slow but slightly interesting, nonetheless. I never thought I fantasty would be my highest rated book of the year, but that's just a testament to R.F Kuangs' writing and storytelling abilities. 4.75 stars (maybe?! I don't fucking know anymore)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Excrement, Suicide attempt

Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury

alowrites_sometimes's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I don't know what to say yet 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Torture, Blood, Murder

creatureofearth_345's review against another edition

2.75

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail

crypticspren's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Torture, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Genocide, Infertility, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Medical content, Classism

danicakvcs's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional informative tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death, Grief

s14's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I can already tell Rin is going to go absolutely berserk

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual harassment

Moderate: Addiction, Torture