Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

Опиумная война by R.F. Kuang

1145 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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: Complicated

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense slow-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: Complicated

This is one of the best fantasy books I’ve read in a long time. And while the plot felt respective sometimes it’s a 5 star for the absolute brilliant writing and how horrific it is. This book is dark. Kuang takes a no holds bar look at genocide and makes you look at it from every angel
Rin is a complicated character. She’s written so well. She’s just a girl, forced into lives she doesn’t ask for to make choices she doesn’t want. I hate what she does and at the same time I don’t blame her.
there was a few chapters I had to put the book down before reading it. That’s how you onow a book is good

And she would call the gods to do such terrible things” 

Cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Keep in mind the content warnings it’s a brutal dark book. But one I think everyone should read 

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark 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: Complicated

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adventurous dark emotional reflective 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: Complicated

fang runin you will always be my favorite 

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

You either die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain


WOW. Mind-blowing. HOW was this Kuang’s debut novel?? Rin is such a fascinating protagonist, she’s so driven and has so many wants and makes so many bad decisions because of that, and she is just unbelievably human. You’d be mad to agree with everything she does but you can’t help but root for her anyway. And Kuang doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to depictions of the horrors of war - this book is awfully gruesome at times but it’s pretty realistic (since much of the book was inspired by events that actually happened in history), even when you add in the fantasy elements. 

Also, as a final note, it’s so refreshing to read a fantasy book where there’s absolutely no romantic subplot. I need more of those please! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional informative tense fast-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

my new favourite fantasy series. masterfully written and i am in awe that someone has written it. r.f. kuang writes rin as one of the most HUMAN characters i've read. she is brave and strong and intelligent and resilient and steadfast in her beliefs, but she's also vengeful, angry, disturbed by the atrocities she sees, scared, guilty and shameful. can't say i liked her at the end, but i also can't hate her. we are so entrenched in rin and her beliefs that not even slighlty understanding her rage and need for vengeance is impossible. this book was written by a deity among people. the shamanism is such an interesting process. there is no good governing body in the book and it just perfectly shows that everything isn't black and white. also, many parts of this book, if not all of it, reflect the current geopolitical climate. the utter frustration, guilt and helplessness is so familiar. i am so excited to read the dragon republic

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

this book is not morally grey in the slightest. it’s morally black. we see rin’s background and upbringing which almost allows us to sympathize with her actions. then boom. my girl is fueled by this need for revenge. but she can’t help it. she’s just a girl, from a people of revenge seekers. so so detailed.
especially chapter 21, made me SICK.
ten out of ten read tho. 

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