A review by nervousbell
To Gaze Upon Wicked Gods by Molly X. Chang

tense medium-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

1.0

This book's reception was highly anticipated, especially among circles following authors like Xiran Jay Zhao, WithCindy, and ReadsWithRachel, who extensively discussed the Cait Corrían controversy. My eagerness to support authors facing backlash led me to follow Molly X. Chang on Twitter, where I observed the racist backlash she faced regarding her book. Given my East Asian background, I was particularly motivated to support an emerging Asian author like Molly X. Chang. Therefore, my one-star rating is born out of disappointment rather than animosity.

Despite my hopes for an enjoyable experience, this book sadly fell short, and the criticisms labeling it a "colonizer romance" were regrettably accurate.

The marketing and introduction significantly contributed to my disappointment. The author's choice to reference Unit 731 and familial tragedy, as sources of inspiration for the book, contributed to my disappointment. Particularly regarding the trivialization of colonization in favor of a poorly executed romance, felt exploitative. It's disheartening to see such serious historical events used as mere set dressing.

While I stand firmly against racism and harassment, I struggled to comprehend why Chang chose to reference Unit 731 in a narrative about oppression and oppressors. This choice felt inconsistent with the book's initial anti-colonial stance and lacked the necessary responsibility such a reference demands.

Furthermore, the portrayal of racial trauma as extending beyond personal experiences to affect entire communities made this book's portrayal deeply unsettling.

The protagonist's internal conflict regarding oppression while simultaneously engaging romantically with the oppressor felt contradictory. Ruying's character lacked depth, leading to muddled motives, and the attempt at introducing moral ambiguity didn't resonate well.

The world-building felt superficial, and the magic system remained under-explored. Ruying’s resorting to a gun despite the existence of magic felt disconnected from the narrative. Chang's focus on romance overshadowed the anti-colonial narrative, disappointing on both fronts.

Ultimately, the romance lacked depth, leaving the colonizer's character undeveloped. I questioned the book's purpose, feeling that it could have been a more cohesive story without the fantasy elements and mention of Unit 731. A narrative without the oppressor-oppressed dynamic might have allowed for a more focused exploration of other themes, enriching the storytelling experience without requiring a detailed critique of colonization. Honestly, the only way I could see this storyline being saved is if she had the intention of murdering him and his family the whole time. But that would require her to have dignity, moral values, and common sense. Such a twist could have added a layer of complexity and moral ambiguity, forcing readers to confront deeper questions about power dynamics and personal motivations within the narrative.