Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Lui che annegò il mondo

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Lui che annegò il mondo by Shelley Parker-Chan

121 reviews

itsemmaofc's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved following Zhu’s storyline, but I felt like the book got really bogged down by so many POVs. Some characters honestly were not so interesting to justify a whole POV. I agree with a lot of other reviewers that I would’ve liked this more if it was split into two books and if some of the more compelling characters’ plot lines were teased out.

I also really struggled with

so many scenes depicting sexual violence or talking about sexual trauma. It didn’t always seem necessary for the plot or the characters, but I will give props to the author bc it wasn’t entirely meaningless dumping (compare to books like GoT).

I think I liked this book because of how much I liked the first book, and this is kinda riding on the coat tails. 3.75-4 stars

Content Warnings

hybridhavoc's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 51%

The constant sexual and physical abuse, and just generally had things happening to everybody, sapped from me all interest in picking it up again.

Content Warnings

helfire124's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

caidyn's review against another edition

3.75

challenging 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

I enjoyed this better than the first book and definitely was more interested in the characters. But, still, I just didn't feel super attached. I enjoyed the retelling of the Ming dynasty's creation and how it was queered.

Content Warnings

lizzisok's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

much darker than the first one, but i enjoyed seeing Zhu reflect more on their choices and how it changed them throughout the book. i really enjoyed this sequel.

Content Warnings

dreamer626's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging 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 wanted to punch a couple of characters.

Content Warnings

casserole_cg's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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

jes312's review against another edition

3.5

challenging dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I loved the first book, but had a harder time with the second installment (partially because this is much darker--see content warnings). There are more POV in this book, which I wasn't as invested in from the first book, and because of that, I felt like it bogged the story down. I loved that

Zhu and Ouyang teamed up

and I wanted more from Ma's perspective, especially given how instrumental her story is in the last part of the book.

I know this is a duology, but I kind of wish there was a third, so we could see if

Zhu lives up to expectations as Emperor. Was all the sacrifice worth it?

Not knowing anything about the Ming Empire, I was left wanting more and the story feels unfinished.

Content Warnings

ginabelle's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark 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

I could not stop thinking about this book. I really took my time with it as I LOVED the first one and knew it would get complex to wrap up all the leftover plot lines. This book is absolutely NOT for everyone, but the political intrigue, the questions of identity and ambition, and the world building was definitely for me. I’m so thrilled with how this series wrapped up and while my only complaint is those last 5 pages seemed to feel a tad rushed, this duology feels like the most epic fantasy from an extremely talented writer. I don’t know how they keep this all in their head, but I’m so grateful they shared their stories with the world. Check content warnings for sure, but if you like Game of Thrones, Mulan, and (dare I say) Avatar the Last Airbender, look into this one. I love it!

Content Warnings

laguerrelewis's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

I kind of wish this book was split into two, and this series was fleshed out into a full trilogy. The pacing meant that a lot of major developments and plot resolutions ended up feeling anticlimactic, and I would’ve loved more time living in the second act of this story. There is a lot to love here, especially if you enjoyed its predecessor, but I was a bit disappointed in how this story ended.

Content Warnings

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