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deannareadsandsleeps's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Genocide, Racism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
annmeyer's review against another edition
- 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
m. l. wang uses fantasy, specifically through a corrupt magic system in an urban setting, to explore colonization and the tools used to establish and uphold it, including misogyny (especially in terms of limiting educational access, reproductive control, and the weaponization of white femininity), racism, fascism, classism, environmental destruction, religious extremism, and so on.
i think that in many ways this novel speaks to the real world we live in, particularly in terms of the violent oppression of indigenous peoples (such as in the case of Palestinians, now and ongoing for nearly a century), which is partly what makes it so impactful. it also poignantly explores the power of protests and how the machinations of society often feed on flesh and blood — as well as the mixed reactions of "common civilians" to those harsh realities. i also think there's something to be said about the role that violent uprisings and (the cycle of) martyrdom play in creating hope for change for future generations in this book.
[anyways, i'm always in favor of a guillotine renaissance]
i highlighted so many passages and took so many notes while reading, so i'm saving some that stuck out here:
- After all, the true nature of Blight fit with everything he already knew of Tiran: that the city was a monster built by takers for takers. ... Somewhere in his time playing mage’s assistant, he had forgotten what he was: not a citizen of this city, just flesh that it fed on.
- The path to God wasn’t laid for women like her. It was laid on their backs.
- “That’s your idea of a nice day out with your mother? Plotting the destruction of a government?” “Why? You have a more fun idea?”
- "Hell, if more men were like you, I might not be so…” “So what?” “Vehemently opposed to them.”
- But the Kwen didn’t stop coming. Why should they? Their ancestral land was ravaged, their kin Blighted, their future stolen. What did they have to lose? And who in the wide world could tell them to stand down?
- “I didn’t want the innocent people of Tiran to suffer. But that collapse out there”—she gestured to the rising sounds of chaos from beyond the gates—“That was the inevitable fate of a rotten city built on lies.”
- Each gear turned tidily into its neighbor in a soul-grinding system designed to sustain the men who had named the pieces and made them so: damsel, devil, servant, wife.
- “It’s what she wants,” Carra said softly but with certainty beyond her years. “You understand that, right? She wants to die sticking it to those men.” “How do you know?” “Trust me, Uncle. It’s a girl thing.”
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual violence and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Infertility
pretty graphic portrayals of death immediately in the first chaptersarahbooger's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism
kinnisha's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
kestrellady's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, and Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt
odunayo_y's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
filipateodoro's review against another edition
- 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
You can expect an original take on magic, an original setting, and a compelling story dealing with themes of sexism, classism and racism.
The book isn't preachy in how it delivers its the messages, but that means that it is absolutely unrelenting in showing them to you. M. L. Wang doesn't hold back, so expect to be uncomfortable at times, even with characters you might sympathize with. They exist in and are shaped by this deeply flawed world, whether we as readers like it or not.
Again, without spoiling anything, the main plot twist made me put the book down to collect myself. I also thought the ending was superb, and was impressed that the author had the guts to take the story that far.
This is the best fantasy standalone I've read so far. I honestly think everyone would benefit from reading this book. In today's world, we could all use the self-reflection that this story forces on the reader.
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment
roseleebooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The characters in this book are incredibly well written. From the beginning Sciona and Thomil are real people, with depth to their characterizations that is incredible. The reader can understand their points of view, can recognize the danger of Sciona's ego and the anger in Thomil's silence and still empathize with them. Their different views on morality and what makes a person "good" were so well written. I'm still thinking about one of their verbal debates.
The pacing of the story is tense and quick but never feels rushed. The way it unfolds makes sense but I was also unable to directly predict what was going to happen. And the ending is impossible to stop thinking about, even now over a day after finishing it.
This is my favorite book of the year so far.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Miscarriage
mmiamuse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Cannibalism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
ambar1337's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Genocide, Hate crime, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder