this is heavy. it is pain. but it is exquisite.

I'm not usually a fan of political intrigue, but R.F. Kuang's writing is so immersive, she had me genuinely giving a shit about war tactics (something I usually just skim over). Her writing feels so approachable, in a way that makes reading about war painful yet addictive. The fantasy element unfolds slowly and effortlessly, complementing the pacing and character development perfectly. Rin is going to be one of my absolute favorite FMC's because of how easily I can empathize with her despite her ruthlessness.

This is a dark and heavy story, made even more chilling by the authors' note at the back which indicates the elements in this story are "pulled directly from history books" about the Rape of Nanjing, Unit 731, The Opium Wars, WWII in China. Although this is very much a work of fiction, this has inspired me to look further into a part of history I am completely naïve to. I've linked a source I've found to be a good starting point.