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Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
The biggest fault for me is that it often rides the strange, unsteady line between YA and Adult Fiction.
Ultimately, the book reads like a debut novel, but a promising one.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Genocide, Racism, Grief, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Rape, Torture
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Infertility, Rape, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Blood, Colonisation
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Colonisation, War, Classism
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Colonisation, War
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
I did enjoy it! It’s one I would recommend to people, but I did not love it. Wren (sp?) the main female character is very whiny, full of herself, & can get annoying. Really hoping she progresses throughout the trilogy!
Alton’s (sp?) ending is beautifully tragic and I hope his sacrifice makes a difference! Already Wren is struggling with it in book 2.
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Rin is such a wonderful protagonist. Young and headstrong and stubborn. She strikes such a balance between wanting to be strong yet still being so young and vulnerable and scared.
The supporting characters are well developed. Altan and Ramsa are such standouts. I love Ramsa's child-like mischief. And Altan provided a perfect foil and mentor for Rin. Jiang was also a supporting character I found very interesting, and I really enjoyed his tutelage of Rin.
The beginning of the book flows like a typical coming-of-age boarding school story with un-ending homework and petty rivalries. But the second and third parts truly pick up as the depth of the latest Poppy War is truly explored. The action throws readeds straight into bloody attacks and death starts surrounding our characters in a way that feels all to real. And if any readers have been previously familiarized with the Nanjing Massacre and Unit 732 of the Japanese Inperial Army, certain scenes are pulled straight from the history book.
Overall, R. F. Kuang explores themes of genocide, vengeance, power, and morality in a brilliant, gripping manner.
Graphic: Genocide, Gore, Violence, Colonisation, War
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Vomit, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War
Throughout the book there were some pacing and characterisation (in the middle) issues.
What hit the hardest for me
Nonetheless, there was still some humor given throughout the book. Rin is a perfect protagonist. She emotionally complicated and annoys you every few pages (at least). I ex remely dislike Altan.
I really don't know what else to say. I just feel disturbed.
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Mental illness, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Grief