You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
_justjess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Cannibalism, Abortion, and Alcohol
adn_v's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Racism, Violence, Colonisation, War, and Classism
greciamj1958's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Sexual harassment, War, and Classism
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
btrz7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Blood, Islamophobia, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Moderate: Rape and Religious bigotry
Minor: Abortion
chaptertraveller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I started this a few days ago with the expectation of it taking at least a week or two to finish due to it's length and complexity, but I just finished it in my third sitting by reading 440 pages straight to the end because I didn't want to put it down (and also I was blessed with a day free of any and all responsibilities but still).
I did read the first 50 or so pages a few months ago and dnf'd it because I found it incredible hard to read at the time as I wasn't in the mood for how dark it was. But I picked it back up and found that although that first bit was genuinely hard to read due to the sheer intensity of heavy themes, particularly
I am the opposite of a history buff, and in particular I am woefully uneducated on history outside of North America and Europe (thanks capitalistic white-centered education) so my knowledge of 20th century China is essentially non-existent. Due to that, there is a huge element of this book that I don't feel I can truly speak on, but I do want to mention that the perspective used and the way that historical elements are woven into this fantasy setting, and the unapologeticness in talking about the realities of war, class relations, race relations, geo-politics, and many other topics that are shied away from is incredibly commendable and I thank her for it because honestly, I probably wouldn't know a lot of this if it wasn't set out to me in this way as a starting point.
Overall, this book is simply an absolutely incredible adult fantasy and if you're interested in getting into something dark, gritty, and wholly complex from plot to characters to religion and other ever-unanswered questions, I highly recommend The Dragon Republic and I for one, cannot wait to read The Burning God to see where this story ends up.
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
jessicaludden'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 book had me stressed the ENTIRE time. I’m still stressed. I never knew how Rin was gonna get out of any of those situations. I still don’t, but I am sooo pumped for the next book. This was so good. The war and politics, the power struggles, and the PAIN. Rin finally realized that Altan was no hero and effectively moved on from him. R.F. Kuang did an amazing job portraying Rin’s love and disdain for Altan as she let go of him and refused to let him have anymore power over her. The way this book ended had me screaming with excitement. Rin was betrayed. Again. But this time she’s taking matters into her own hands. She’s finally not taking orders from anyone else and I am SO here for it. Overall, this series continues to live up to expectations and I cannot wait for the finale.
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Classism
Minor: Miscarriage
lizziaha's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Vomit, and Alcohol
brianneh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Violence, Blood, Grief, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
meliflowers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Kuang does not spare details when describing horrific events and actions. It was really hard to get through the graphic writings about the substance use abuse and PTSD. But once I did, the story rapidly moved along.
The trauma and pain of the characters aren't used as a prop for the story but are actually explored as consequences of war. Through the story, we explore the consequences of war to the mind and to the civilisation, how people with low socio economic status/ racial appearances are always exploited and sacrificed for the seemingly greater good and the role colonialism plays within war.
I could go on an endless rant to talk about all the aspects of the story which Kuang has clearly constructed carefully and thoughtfully. Some parts of the story did feel redundant (I assume it's meant to be a basis for the next book) and repetitive, however.
Regardless, it was still a really enjoyable book and although I want to start reading the next one immediately, for my own well-being I decided to wait it out a bit...
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Vomit, Abortion, Murder, War, and Classism
Moderate: Classism
It's a heavy book that describes the consequences of war graphically. I do believe it's a great and insightful read but do be warned of the topics aforementioned.