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bookishbeagle's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. Oh. My. Gosh. This book! Kitay has my heart.
sm_readsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.
With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic.
But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.
Rating 4/5
I had no words to describe the first book in this trilogy, and I am still shocked into silence with the second book. This is a brilliant sequel from front to back- so go read the first book, The Poppy Wars, right now!
I love complex characters in books, and I was so intrigued at how this novel basically stripped the main characters down and the reader got to see all aspects of their backstories, their motivations, and their worst faults and greatest strengths.
This book trilogy is relentless and ruthless, and so morally grey, it is insane.
The one thing that prevents me from giving this novel a 5 stars is the length. I personally prefer more shorter, fast paced books, so mostly a fault just for me. This novel was 672 pages, and took me way too long to read that some parts I skimmed or was just simply bored.
Nevertheless, i am glad I pulled through and finished it, and I am ecstatic to read the third and final book in this trilogy.
With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic.
But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.
Rating 4/5
I had no words to describe the first book in this trilogy, and I am still shocked into silence with the second book. This is a brilliant sequel from front to back- so go read the first book, The Poppy Wars, right now!
I love complex characters in books, and I was so intrigued at how this novel basically stripped the main characters down and the reader got to see all aspects of their backstories, their motivations, and their worst faults and greatest strengths.
This book trilogy is relentless and ruthless, and so morally grey, it is insane.
The one thing that prevents me from giving this novel a 5 stars is the length. I personally prefer more shorter, fast paced books, so mostly a fault just for me. This novel was 672 pages, and took me way too long to read that some parts I skimmed or was just simply bored.
Nevertheless, i am glad I pulled through and finished it, and I am ecstatic to read the third and final book in this trilogy.
hedenborg's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
sparksinthevoid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
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
4.25
flawlessbooks's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was such an interesting turn from the first. I really like geopolitics in fantasy. But I do think in the middle it got a little tiring because Kuang’s writing style doesn’t often paint a picture as much as it tells you. But the last half really picked up and gave in more to the internal battles of each character.
What I really like about the series is that the books are uncompromising in their brutality and realism. A lot of fantasy books about colonization imagine worlds where the colonizers are beat and it’s over - but because this is almost historical fiction, it recognizes that imperialism morphs to fit a new era.
I’ll say just like the first, take care of yourself when you read. If the media you consume impacts you mentally a lot like it does me then be careful and get outside and try to separate yourself. I’m definitely more anxious in general while reading these books which is a testament to Kuang’s impact on the reader.
What I really like about the series is that the books are uncompromising in their brutality and realism. A lot of fantasy books about colonization imagine worlds where the colonizers are beat and it’s over - but because this is almost historical fiction, it recognizes that imperialism morphs to fit a new era.
I’ll say just like the first, take care of yourself when you read. If the media you consume impacts you mentally a lot like it does me then be careful and get outside and try to separate yourself. I’m definitely more anxious in general while reading these books which is a testament to Kuang’s impact on the reader.
timpark's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
krishni_gomez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75