Reviews

Babel by R.F. Kuang

mcavenue0333's review against another edition

dark informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

snabb1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Wow. Beautifully written. My first book by this author and I am anxious to read another. The way she understands the complexities and layers of relationships. She portrays the beauty and the flaws of each so vividly. It's absolutely fascinating.  Not to mention the deep dive into colonialism, racism and greed and the way it infiltrates and affects everything.  Brilliant brilliant book!!

holasoyflavia's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

I wanted to like Babel so badly but why was it the most boring book?!?!?! 

this has nothing to do with the writing which was incredible & took so much research in history and languages to create. but it felt like I was reading a school textbook instead of a fiction novel. I had to fight to not fall asleep & could have skipped most of it because I was being taught about languages & history that didn't even matter to the plot!!! 

speaking of a plot... it lacks. they go to a school, colonizers are bad, "magic", sacrifice. that is it. they tell you how it will end within the first 5 chapters of the book so there isn't even a big surprise. not to mention that the big plot twist of the book was so obvious that it would be rude of me to even call it a twist. there was so much potential, but instead it was a steady-paced bore. 

also, Robin hates himself which just makes me dislike him & trying to fake interest in a character you don't like & doesn't even want to be involved in the plot is much worse than hating a character for making dumb choices. 

i am just... disappointed. 



<i> there magic system is barely a plot point until the 60% through the book & is the most boring magic system I've ever heard of</i>

tayelstrom's review against another edition

3.5

The writing is stunning. 
I enjoyed the first half of the book heaps more than the second half. I loved the academia of the first half, it was so incredibly interesting and fully had me captivated.
The second half, not so much. 

bkmckown's review against another edition

3.0

The first half of the book felt like a history lesson. It wasn’t an easy read, too many side notes and too scholarly for my taste. There was a LOT of character and world building. The second half of the book, the story really took off and captured my interest a little better but I wish it would’ve been shorter and started off with the action. 

tuani_fani's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative fast-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

5.0

xparisn's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

katemdixon's review against another edition

3.0

This was pretty good— by the middle I was captivated by the story and found myself picking it up often because it was enjoyable to read. I would say though the characters lack development, which was a big turnoff for me. The writing style was slightly stale sometimes especially in the beginning. However it had a very compelling plot and driving idea — I enjoyed that part of the book the most. Downsides: underdeveloped character writing (show, don’t tell  how people come to be friends) and too verbose occasionally with unnecessary anecdotes, although I do realize I may not be the best audience for this type of book anymore.

adamvanwinden's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

tomasevf101's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0