Reviews with content warning for Blood - Wojna makowa

Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Wojna makowa by R.F. Kuang

1225 reviews

anxiousshorebird's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-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

3.25

This book was difficult. I found myself rolling my eyes and struggling to continue through the first half. At one point I resigned myself to reading purely out of curiosity, rather than enjoyment. Normally I would DNF a book loke that, but I've seen trusted reviewers praise this book and I was curious about the mysteries slowly being uncovered. Then about half way through I couldn't stop reading.

This book suffered from mismatched tone and some bad pacing. It felt like a YA magic school novel (complete with a Draco Malfoy type character) for way too long. Then by the end it was a grim dark, violent, war torn character study. It felt like an abrupt shift. Looking back, I see some merit to experiencing the MC's journey from determined teenager to hardened soldier along with her. While reading it, however, I found myself wishing her origins were told through intermittent flashbacks.

I really enjoy the world that Juang created. I love that she hasn't shied away from a DEEPLY flawed main character. Frankly, I don't even like this MC. But o sure loved reading her story once I got passed the slog of her schooling.

All in all, it's far from a 5 star read for me, but it's a very commendable debut novel. I won't hesitate to read the rest of the trilogy. I plan to read a light romance before the next Poppy War book though, because this shit got DARK.

Speaking of, please check the content warnings. Since the beginning is so much more tame than the rest, it's worth the risk of spoiling yourself a bit to make sure you know what you're getting into. I recommend skipping chapter 21 if you're someone who can take a lot, but have a limit.

Content Warnings

thejwq's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

benji_dw's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

Amazing debut novel. Almost historical fiction in a grimdark world N.K. Jemisin could have written. Know the content warnings before reading though.

Content Warnings

kashna83's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

Es difícil describir este libro porque como ya pasaba con Babel, es como leer varios libros en uno. En general, me ha gustado... le pongo 4 estrellas bien puestas... Pero tiene PEROS...

La ambientación es una China medieval ficticia, aunque hay eventos históricos basados en hechos reales. Hay algo de fantasía, pero es arriesgado ponerle esta etiqueta. Pongamos que tiene... rasgos fantásticos, o más bien, mitológicos.
La protagonista es Rin, una campesina huérfana que su sueño es entrar en la academia militar de Sinegard, para labrarse un futuro que no sea ser esposa o prostituta. Es fuerte, valiente y tenaz. Aunque también le mueve la venganza. Ese es un rasgo que no me suele gustar demasiado en los personajes, pero en este libro no me ha costado entender sus motivaciones como me pasa en otras novelas.
Si tuviésemos que poner una etiqueta, además de la "fantástica" sería "bélica". Hay mucha guerra, y guerra de verdad: no batallas. Guerra. Guardias eternas y solitarias, enemigos sin rostro, miedo, crueldad, y en algunos momentos, una violencia brutal.

Me ha gustado:
- La parte de Dark Academy, muy entretenida.
- Los personajes que aparecen y lo que representa cada uno de ellos.
- Como escribe Rebecca Kuang. Simple y contundente.
- Toda la crítica y reflexión sobre temas muy actuales como: la brutalidad de la guerra, la justicia, la venganza, el uso de las drogas, el colonialismo, el genocidio... No te deja indiferente.

No me ha gustado tanto:
-La parte bélica se me hace un poco larga en algunos momentos.
-Mis altísimas expectativas. El otro libro que leí de la autora es Babel, y me voló la cabeza. Y pensaba que este me gustaría más... y no. Me ha gustado, un poco menos. Pensaba que tendría más reflexión, más posicionamiento ideológico, y lo tiene... pero comparado con Babel, se queda corta.

Aun así es muy buena novela y cuando pueda leeré la 2a parte!

Content Warnings

thehannahclaire's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad 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

4.75

Please read about the Nanjing Massacre/ the Rape of Nanjing before reading this book. I’m so glad this book introduced me to a portion of history I was not taught, even though it is gruesome. Nevertheless, this book has one chapter that included the most horrific scenes I’ve ever read or heard of. It’s not just about checking trigger warnings because this book isn’t just triggering— it’s traumatic.

Content Warnings