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nofy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, War, Death, Rape, Child death, Gore, and Violence
teri_b's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Absolutely loved listening to the audiobook, even though I had preordered the book when it first was published in 2019.
It is a war story with gruesome moments and many interesting questions asked.
Loved it, from beginning to end.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, and Violence
stone_stupas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexism, Rape, and Child death
maira_h's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I love how this book reminded me so much of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Naruto. For ATLA, it's because of the use of elemental powers in this world. For Naruto, it's probably the whole clan hierarchy thing and the use of 'bloodline technique'. Those two pieces of pop culture are phenomenal in their own right, but this book in itself is also damn excellent.
At first, it took me a while to set a pace while reading this book, mostly because of the language used. I kept flipping back to the glossary to find out the meanings of multiple words. Kaigen/ Takayubi is heavily influenced by Japanese language and cultures. Some words I was familiar with while others I was not sure whether they were made up or what. However, after a while, everything slowly clicked into place.
The writing was probably one of the best things about this book, specifically the battle scenes. I thought Fonda Lee's battle scenes from The Green Bone Saga were incredible, but ML Wang's was downright poetic at times.
The characters are also beautifully written and so well developed. They have multiple layers to them, which I absolutely love. I love Misaki, I love Mamoru and damn it, I love Takeru too. His character development is probably my favourite. Because, despite being seen as this formidable character, he is still human.
I also really love how this book tackled motherhood and womanhood. Misaki had this internal conflict about having to choose between being a wife/ mother and being a warrior. But I loved how, in the end, she realized she could be both. I cried a bit reading about Misaki and his son, Mamoru. I want more of Mamoru, if I'm being honest.
This is going into my list of favourites now. I need more books like this— where the reading experience felt like watching a freaking anime.
Graphic: Suicide, Blood, Child death, War, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Misogyny, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Gore, and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
josiah17's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This is a a masterpiece. Truly. But also beyond heartbreaking, and incredibly brutal. This story is not for the lighthearted, but there's a beautiful message and overarching themes that make this book such a wonderful reading experience. And not to mention the action in this book and the magic system. There's a fight scene in this book that I'm going to have difficulty forgetting. I mean...just wow.
And the character work! My goodness is it good. Misaki is easily an all-time favorite protagonist. And the redemption of a character in here is done so well. Just extraordinary execution.
This books is 110% worth the read. Cannot recommend it enough.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Child death, Gore, Violence, and War
Moderate: Suicide and Rape
Minor: Miscarriage
annailles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Death, Sexism, War, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Gore, Rape, Child death, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Miscarriage
bookishfaye's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
its_gracielou's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Minor: Rape
shamciar's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, Gore, and Misogyny
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
misc_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, War, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Rape