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Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Medical content, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Classism
Minor: Confinement, Abandonment
Before I start my review, I need to issue a serious content warning: this book explores some very dark themes. Please check the trigger warnings if you’re sensitive to certain topics <3
With all that being said: OMG, the cinematic feel of the story, the vivid setting and well-developed characters made me care SO MUCH for them, especially when the action picked up and people's lives were at risk. I couldn't put it down, and when I did, I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I'm not only afraid for Rin, but also afraid of her hahahah. She is so morally grey and you never know what she does next. I LOVE IT!
It's just the perfect mix of action, memorable characters, a vividly imagined setting, political intrigue and a look at humanity at its worst. Plus, Kuang's writing is so GOOD!! I can't wait to see where this goes!
Graphic: Drug abuse, Rape, Self harm, Torture, Violence, War
Moderate: Addiction, Racism
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Colonisation
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
My main complaint is Rin. Not really her as a character, but how the author decides to handle her. I just don't find characters who are The Best at Everything all that interesting. I also found the sexism aspect of the world building to only be applied when convenient.
Overall, it's a very daring and well thought out story. The graphic violence at one point made me feel physically sick, but at no point did it feel "glorified" as some other reviews are saying. The violence felt very much like, "Hey, this is what war is like. It's extremely fucked up."
I will be continuing the series.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Genocide, Gore, Sexual violence, War
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Misogyny, Rape, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Animal death, Fatphobia, Infertility, Vomit
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Murder, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gore, Blood, War, Classism
Moderate: Rape, Sexism
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Classism
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
The last quarter of the book really surprised me because I was expecting a 'normal' fantasy school story, but holy hell that's not at all what this is about. I had to reflect for a while if I even wanted to continue the series because it's so dark and depressing but I'll give it a go and if I can't handle it, I can always stop. Great writing tho.
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War
Minor: Forced institutionalization