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xelasrecords's reviews
301 reviews
Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by isthisselfcare
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
The Drowning Faith by R.F. Kuang
Nezha’s worst nightmare came true.....
This 15 page pdf made me feel more things than the whole series from Rin’s POV ever did. He loves her but he has a duty to his country and please his father but he loves her so he gladly takes the pain she gives him. He's so Draco coded.
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
She’s the only divine thing he’s ever believed in. The only creature in this vast, cruel land who could kill him. And sometimes, in his loveliest dreams, he imagines she does.
Nezha’s worst nightmare came true.....
This 15 page pdf made me feel more things than the whole series from Rin’s POV ever did. He loves her but he has a duty to his country and please his father but he loves her so he gladly takes the pain she gives him. He's so Draco coded.
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
After all of the rage-yapping in my notes about Rin's unfair treatment towards Nezha, I don't have much else to say. If their connection were stronger, if Rin were more sympathetic, if they weren't children fighting multiple wars—
Yeah.
One thing for sure, Rin is hurtling down the path of Mao Zedong and she will twist every rationale there is to justify herself.
(4 stars because the war politics are like those historical dramas with old, long-bearded politicians arguing around the table. I always fast forward those scenes.)
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Rage and grief were so different. Rage gave her the power to burn down countries. Grief only exhausted her.
After all of the rage-yapping in my notes about Rin's unfair treatment towards Nezha, I don't have much else to say. If their connection were stronger, if Rin were more sympathetic, if they weren't children fighting multiple wars—
Yeah.
One thing for sure, Rin is hurtling down the path of Mao Zedong and she will twist every rationale there is to justify herself.
(4 stars because the war politics are like those historical dramas with old, long-bearded politicians arguing around the table. I always fast forward those scenes.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Gore, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Rape
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
I went into this knowing that this is inspired by the second Sino-Japanese war and Rin is by Mao Zedong, so I was curious to see how she would go from a countryside girl who wants to protect herself and her country to a controversial figure with one of the highest death tolls in modern history. And I was not disappointed. This book was such a page-turner that the grotesque war crimes did not deter me from reading while eating and R.F. Kuang is good at writing memorable characters too. With only one scene of Rin interacting with Nezha, Venka, Niang, and Kitay separately, I could already remember all of their personalities.
A minor gripe I have is the way Speer is depicted. The way the narrative lumps a whole race into violent, primitive beasts incapable of being negotiated with feels racist. There's also a scene where a character thinks they understand another Speerly inside out simply because they're Speerlies. The generalisation doesn't sit right with me.
My spoiler-free summary for each part of the book:
Part 1: Military academia instead of getting married! Feat. student rivalry with the most beautiful guy in class, served with a side of shamanism.
Part 2: Mugen brings war to Nikan. Battles and found family and supernatural abilities. Actually it drags a bit in some parts, but who cares when Nezha exists? Not me.
Part 3: Mmm she the devil, she a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel.
The amount of gore and expletives they allow in YA though. I was amazed.
❗SPOILERS❗
That scene where Nezha swooped in to save Rin? I SCREAMED. Love the trope of being so obsessed with your enemy that you end up knowing their every move. I never thought there'd be a sliver of romance here, but the moment Rin decided to burn herself with the Phoenix, I knew she has probably sealed any future romantic developments with Nezha.
I like how Rin's corruption arc was handled. The Phoenix had told her that it wasn't her destiny, contrary to her belief. She'd made every single choice that led her to this state. Before Altan died, she'd thought he should've been locked up in Chuluu Korikh, but she actually became worse than him. Kitay was there in the last chapters as the sound of reason, the juxtaposition of good and evil. Rin might have done a terrible thing, but it was hard to justify it when it was for her own bloodlust and vengeance, not love for anyone, not even her people/country. Those were all her excuse to avoid remorse. Now, she's about to wage a war against the Empress, so I guess the Chinese civil war adjacent will start in the next book.
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible.
Was she now a goddess or a monster?
Perhaps neither. Perhaps both.
I went into this knowing that this is inspired by the second Sino-Japanese war and Rin is by Mao Zedong, so I was curious to see how she would go from a countryside girl who wants to protect herself and her country to a controversial figure with one of the highest death tolls in modern history. And I was not disappointed. This book was such a page-turner that the grotesque war crimes did not deter me from reading while eating and R.F. Kuang is good at writing memorable characters too. With only one scene of Rin interacting with Nezha, Venka, Niang, and Kitay separately, I could already remember all of their personalities.
A minor gripe I have is the way Speer is depicted. The way the narrative lumps a whole race into violent, primitive beasts incapable of being negotiated with feels racist. There's also a scene where a character thinks they understand another Speerly inside out simply because they're Speerlies. The generalisation doesn't sit right with me.
My spoiler-free summary for each part of the book:
Part 1: Military academia instead of getting married! Feat. student rivalry with the most beautiful guy in class, served with a side of shamanism.
Part 2: Mugen brings war to Nikan. Battles and found family and supernatural abilities. Actually it drags a bit in some parts, but who cares when Nezha exists? Not me.
Part 3: Mmm she the devil, she a bad lil' bitch, she a rebel.
The amount of gore and expletives they allow in YA though. I was amazed.
❗SPOILERS❗
I like how Rin's corruption arc was handled. The Phoenix had told her that it wasn't her destiny, contrary to her belief. She'd made every single choice that led her to this state. Before Altan died, she'd thought he should've been locked up in Chuluu Korikh, but she actually became worse than him. Kitay was there in the last chapters as the sound of reason, the juxtaposition of good and evil. Rin might have done a terrible thing, but it was hard to justify it when it was for her own bloodlust and vengeance, not love for anyone, not even her people/country. Those were all her excuse to avoid remorse. Now, she's about to wage a war against the Empress, so I guess the Chinese civil war adjacent will start in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and War
Do Not Go Gentle by SenLinYu
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
FAILSAFE by Hypothetically
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
Uncoffined by lady_of_clunn
Appropriately dark and atmospheric for a Voldermort wins AU where he's dead but the Death Eaters are still free to roam. It has dubious consent between Draco and Hermione due to her being in disguise as Jeanne, but I like the accuracy of their characterisation. She's clever and tactical and Draco's heart is still beating for the ~good~, even if his actions may be questionable.
dark
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
He had chosen life back then, but with that choice, he had also lost it to the darkness.
Appropriately dark and atmospheric for a Voldermort wins AU where he's dead but the Death Eaters are still free to roam. It has dubious consent between Draco and Hermione due to her being in disguise as Jeanne, but I like the accuracy of their characterisation. She's clever and tactical and Draco's heart is still beating for the ~good~, even if his actions may be questionable.
Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong
The hunt for the Huntsman goes on, with Rosalind as the most desperate for his safety and as the bait for his capture.
It's your standard wartime adventure romance story with much less of an emotional bite that I'd been looking forward to. The plot runs a little too long and the twists got predictable. Some of the romantic interactions sound romantic as an idea, but the execution fell flat. Alisa remains my favourite cheery, slippery agent.
❗SPOILER❗
I know the length of the scenes with Roma, Juliette, Marshall, and Benedikt were just right for their cameos here, but I WANT MOREEEEE.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
“Maybe I am afraid,” she whispered. “How do I live with myself if there ever comes a day you get hurt because of me?”
“You accept it,” he replied simply. “Because that’s what it means to be alive. That’s what it means to fight for something—to love something. The country is good enough for us to die for. Why wouldn’t you be?”
The hunt for the Huntsman goes on, with Rosalind as the most desperate for his safety and as the bait for his capture.
It's your standard wartime adventure romance story with much less of an emotional bite that I'd been looking forward to. The plot runs a little too long and the twists got predictable. Some of the romantic interactions sound romantic as an idea, but the execution fell flat. Alisa remains my favourite cheery, slippery agent.
❗SPOILER❗
Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong
I'm most angry at Chloe Gong herself for talking about this novella without a spoiler warning on her IG story when it came out last year so I had to unfollow her and live with the knowledge that I know what this book is about.
A Foul Thing is cute and enlightening plot-wise though!! My scarred heart from These Violent Delights duology is healed, and I like how it ties in with the scientific experiments in Foul Lady Fortune. I'm so excited for everyone to finally meet! (This Foul Murder is honestly unnecessary but it's a necessary fluff and fun so I'm not complaining.)
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"Are you all right?"
He cupped her chin in concern. "You're the one with the bruised face, and you are asking me?"
"I know this hurts you more than it hurts me." She scrunched her nose in jest, then immediately winced when it pulled her muscles.
"Don't be a comedian. I really do have phantom physical pain watching you."
I'm most angry at Chloe Gong herself for talking about this novella without a spoiler warning on her IG story when it came out last year so I had to unfollow her and live with the knowledge that I know what this book is about.
A Foul Thing is cute and enlightening plot-wise though!! My scarred heart from These Violent Delights duology is healed, and I like how it ties in with the scientific experiments in Foul Lady Fortune. I'm so excited for everyone to finally meet! (This Foul Murder is honestly unnecessary but it's a necessary fluff and fun so I'm not complaining.)