A review by lilmor
Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

 lives up to every ounce of the hype; kuang has a gift for lending profound sincerity to a story that could easily feel forced or contrived.  this book is a slog for those of us who hate the british but if you can get past the suffocating (however necessary) anglicism of the first few chapters you will be rewarded hundredfold 😍👯

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Classism

Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and War