Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

Опиумная война by R.F. Kuang

1146 reviews

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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adventurous dark emotional sad 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: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional sad 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: Yes

 I couldn't put this down. The world building and characters were captivating. There were some rushed elements, but I loved this novel. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad 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: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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

This was a really hard book to get through.

This is not a book one should go into blindly. It is rough, and terrible. Well written, but heartbreaking in a way I have not experienced in a book before this. 

I cannot stress it enough, read the trigger warnings before reading this, and prepare for the unfiltered horrors of war.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark mysterious 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: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

Hoo boy, this book.

Hated the first half. I don't like academy/school fiction. This book had most of the tropes (plain girl good at everything, abusive curriculum, shitty teachers, goofy guy best friend, and two gorgeous boys (a rich Malfoy and a dark stranger)—thank goodness there was no romance, etc). It was a slog and I nearly DNFd it, if not for the supposed promise of the significantly better second half...

Which. My goodness, the whiplash. 

The beginning of the second half is not for the faint of heart, from the (TW)
Rape of Nanjing
sequence to the descriptions of actual
rape to full-on genocide. 


The supposedly elite military college got
steamrolled
. and everything following the infamous
Nanjing
sequence is a corny shonen anime, right down to obnoxious super powers and "power of friendship" escapades.

It's an... okay book, but Rin is so damn unlikeable. The surrounding cast are decent at their best, but Rin is so detestable that she drags them all down with her. The ending feels like she's gonna
start a revolution or something,
but I don't see anybody
rallying behind her for any reason other than maybe fear.

I'll get to the sequel eventually. Maybe.

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