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A review by holasoyflavia
Babel by R.F. Kuang
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I wanted to like Babel so badly but why was it the most boring book?!?!?!
this has nothing to do with the writing which was incredible & took so much research in history and languages to create. but it felt like I was reading a school textbook instead of a fiction novel. I had to fight to not fall asleep & could have skipped most of it because I was being taught about languages & history that didn't even matter to the plot!!!
speaking of a plot... it lacks. they go to a school, colonizers are bad, "magic", sacrifice. that is it. they tell you how it will end within the first 5 chapters of the book so there isn't even a big surprise. not to mention that the big plot twist of the book was so obvious that it would be rude of me to even call it a twist. there was so much potential, but instead it was a steady-paced bore.
also, Robin hates himself which just makes me dislike him & trying to fake interest in a character you don't like & doesn't even want to be involved in the plot is much worse than hating a character for making dumb choices.
i am just... disappointed.
<i> there magic system is barely a plot point until the 60% through the book & is the most boring magic system I've ever heard of</i>
this has nothing to do with the writing which was incredible & took so much research in history and languages to create. but it felt like I was reading a school textbook instead of a fiction novel. I had to fight to not fall asleep & could have skipped most of it because I was being taught about languages & history that didn't even matter to the plot!!!
speaking of a plot... it lacks. they go to a school, colonizers are bad, "magic", sacrifice. that is it. they tell you how it will end within the first 5 chapters of the book so there isn't even a big surprise. not to mention that the big plot twist of the book was so obvious that it would be rude of me to even call it a twist. there was so much potential, but instead it was a steady-paced bore.
also, Robin hates himself which just makes me dislike him & trying to fake interest in a character you don't like & doesn't even want to be involved in the plot is much worse than hating a character for making dumb choices.
i am just... disappointed.
<i> there magic system is barely a plot point until the 60% through the book & is the most boring magic system I've ever heard of</i>