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In comparison, to the first book, the sequel is definitely heavier in tone; I would also say that the fantasy elements figure more prominently. Having read the first book is vital to reading this one.
Content warnings: War, violence, murder, blood, injury detail, ableism, internalized homophobia, sexism/misogyny, death of a child, drowning, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, torture, rape (several instances, in one case described in some detail on-page), animal cruelty & death. This book is not easy reading. It is not the most graphic by any means, but violence is absolutely pervasive throughout and the author's skill means that the content is deeply impactful.
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death
This is a 5-star read, no question. If I were Shelley Parker-Chan, I would feel so proud to have created such a dynamic work of art.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Chronic illness, Pregnancy
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, War
Moderate: Xenophobia
This book. This freaking book.
Shelley Parker-Chan masterfully mixes the queer experience with the historic backdrop in SWBTS, and this continues in new wonderful and tragic ways in the sequel. It is stunning in its prose and pacing, and so well researched. The settings are vivid, from the smells to the backdrops of pirate ships. It spits in the face of gender, and gender roles, and challanges mysgony in every breath. I was angry, I was distraught, and I was heartbroken, but it was also so strangely beautiful and hopeful, in spite of all the darkness. This is a book about power, ambition, desire, and what you would do to seize your fate.
The character arc of each of these characters is astronomical, particularly in our main protagonist, Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu has done nothing but survive for her entire life, but in HE, we begin to see her learn the costs of her will, her pursuit of greatness. We see Zhu learn about herself, own herself and her body, and learn to accept and give love to those she cares for. We see her learn and grow, and when we finally see her wants come to fruition, it feels so right.
Ouyang is a character I have EXTREMELY complicated feelings about. General Ouyang leads a tragic life from start to finish. Ouyang's desires juxtaposed against Zhu's reveal several similarities, but I think Ouyang is Zhu if she never learned to see outside of herself. The way these two characters balance against each other? Magic. Ouyang's entire arc just hurt, hurt in a way that made me want to hug my friends closer.
Baoxiang is a can of worms that I was not expecting from this book. His melodrama and flair and just sheer toxicity were like a bomb going off. It hurt to watch, but it hurt more to look away. Baoxiang was the quiet one, the one no one saw coming. His quiet ascent was bone chilling, but his bitter-sweet downfall brought forth Zhu's merciful side beautifully. I found myself relating to him one sentence, wanting to hug him in another, and then being horrified the next.
And that ENDING. Perfect. No notes.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deadnaming
Graphic: Death, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War
Title: He Who Drowned the World
Review:
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Gore, Homophobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent
Read this duology. Mind the triggers. It's a terrible time- you'll love it.
Graphic: Body shaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Blood
Moderate: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Abortion
Minor: Ableism
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Confinement, Homophobia, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Transphobia, Dysphoria
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Slavery, Excrement, Death of parent