Reviews tagging 'Colonisation'

Опиумная война by R.F. Kuang

1146 reviews

wingsofareader's review against another edition

4.0

dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Excrement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Colonisation

Author R.F. Kung explains - in a note at the back of the paperback edition - that the vivid descriptions of war violence, including sexual violence against women and children, we’re taking from historical documents and personal accounts from World War II survivors. Kuang’s rating offers specific sensory imagery, alongside a listing of violence observed by the characters as a means of connecting the reader with both the profound horror and the casual brutality of wartime atrocities. These descriptions do not seem gratuitous, when taken as part of the overall level of description of character experience and visual detail throughout the novel, as well as the context of author, intent bring awareness of historic events and truths that are buying large ignored in the West. The details are, however, unflinchingly described, as are the characters emotional, mental and physical trauma responses to what they see and endure. Some readers may find detailed descriptions difficult to read or process, particularly depending on personal circumstance and experience.

adri_enne's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous challenging dark 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: Complicated

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, War

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail

laurenbaggy's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War

Moderate: Animal death, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Vomit, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Colonisation

savannah201's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Classism

Moderate: Self harm, Torture

firenza1605's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark 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

---

The last 100-150 pages are rather graphic and grim. Nearly every horrid atrocity is described over 2-3 pages. Otherwise, well-written and enjoyable story & characters.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Torture, Violence

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Rape, Terminal illness, Medical trauma, Colonisation

Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Racism, Slavery, Excrement, Vomit, Toxic friendship

lavenderluvsbooks's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail

gkgkgk's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Medical content, Classism

artmuseam's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

---

this book was definitely one of the darkest and heaviest themes i faced when reading a historical-fantasy novel. while it had a fast-paced action sequence that had me hooked throughout the story, i was more interested in the character of rin and loved the challenge set by the author to decide whether i supported rin or not. i eventually found that answer later on, but i think this book wasn’t as compelling as i expected it to be for me to want to read the rest of the series. i still appreciated the grim realities of war that rf kuang did not shy away from within this book, as it serves as a reminder to the tragedies people had to face during those times. overall i would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in east asian history and fantasy. 4/5 stars

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail

tiadreamer's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

---

I knew I was gonna like it, but I didn’t quite expect to get sucked into it THAT hard. 

It’s graphic and disturbing at times that resonate a lot esp in light of current events, but also just when it comes to existing as a girl/woman. 

The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is bc it’s the first novel and I’m holding out until I’ve read the rest. 

Anyway I read this in a single day when I should have been busy doing productive things. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, War

Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Classism

bookishbirdkid9's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Classism