A review by vcriveros
Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

Amazing world building and plot, with great insight and reflections on colonisation and history. The first half of the book is a bit slow - although it aims to round the characters and their relations, it drags a bit around the academic period. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Xenophobia, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Slavery, Blood, Islamophobia, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Infidelity and Vomit