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A review by diannaherondale
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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
What can I say about this book? Start to end 10/10. Im crying but it was incredible.
Every character became their strongest selves in this book, for better or for worse. I love how R. F Kuang wrote the relationships between each of them. Kitay and Rin is probably my favorite.
Kitay is such a patient and forgiving entity, but even he has some limits to what he can take from her and he tells her when he thinks that Rin is doing too much (most of the time), something that Rin dessperately needs for balance. They dont seem the kind of people that could work toguether, but somehow it does, and its beautiful. One of the most heartwarming moments were whenever Rin admitted, even if only to herself, how much she loves Kitay, something she didnt even do with Niand it gave the story another emotional layer.
That being said, neighter Rin nor Kitay were unaltered by the consequences of what happened and is happening in the war. Rin, I expected that because anger and vengeance have always being in her nature, but Kitays portrayal of his trauma still haunts me.
Nezhas and Rin relationship also surprised me for good this time around. Their rival dynamic is still present but you can tell that what they went toguether has change them for the better and now they understand each other to another level. Now, I dont want to get into too much spoilers but I have to say...
It caught me off guard the way in which their relationship fractures by the end. I was genuinely so angry at Nezha that I almost throw my Kindle!! I never thought that he was gonna be capable of betraying Rin like that, not even out of loyalty to his father. The things that he exposed her too were some of the most traumatic things that she has experienced and he KNEW it since the beggining, so yeah
...it made me really emtional.
I really appreciate how Rebecca made Rin WORK for what she wanted. She didnt became overpowered and competent out of the blue. People didnt take herseriously and, I hate to say it, but they had a reason. Of course, racism and misogyny were some of those reasons, and those were as enraging to me as they were to Rin, but they were also a little corrrect when they argue that she was unreliable, something that risk a lot of people.
She is impulsive and proud, weirdly in this book, co-dependent. I didnt expected to see her being so... subdued? knowing what we know about it but it made sense. She didnt feel in control of her own body and emotions, so Vaisra was the perfect vessel to put her expectations in. Someone who is charming and smart and knows how to be a leader. It honestly creeped me out how close they were becoming, I was SCARED of where their relationship seemed to be going.
Overall I thought that it was a huge improvement over the first book. It had a more consistent tone and rithm, stronger character developement, an expansion of the lore, higher stakes and a better understanding of Rin as a protagonist.
Every character became their strongest selves in this book, for better or for worse. I love how R. F Kuang wrote the relationships between each of them. Kitay and Rin is probably my favorite.
Kitay is such a patient and forgiving entity, but even he has some limits to what he can take from her and he tells her when he thinks that Rin is doing too much (most of the time), something that Rin dessperately needs for balance. They dont seem the kind of people that could work toguether, but somehow it does, and its beautiful. One of the most heartwarming moments were whenever Rin admitted, even if only to herself, how much she loves Kitay, something she didnt even do with Niand it gave the story another emotional layer.
That being said, neighter Rin nor Kitay were unaltered by the consequences of what happened and is happening in the war. Rin, I expected that because anger and vengeance have always being in her nature, but Kitays portrayal of his trauma still haunts me.
Nezhas and Rin relationship also surprised me for good this time around. Their rival dynamic is still present but you can tell that what they went toguether has change them for the better and now they understand each other to another level. Now, I dont want to get into too much spoilers but I have to say...
...it made me really emtional.
I really appreciate how Rebecca made Rin WORK for what she wanted. She didnt became overpowered and competent out of the blue. People didnt take herseriously and, I hate to say it, but they had a reason. Of course, racism and misogyny were some of those reasons, and those were as enraging to me as they were to Rin, but they were also a little corrrect when they argue that she was unreliable, something that risk a lot of people.
She is impulsive and proud, weirdly in this book, co-dependent. I didnt expected to see her being so... subdued? knowing what we know about it but it made sense. She didnt feel in control of her own body and emotions, so Vaisra was the perfect vessel to put her expectations in. Someone who is charming and smart and knows how to be a leader. It honestly creeped me out how close they were becoming, I was SCARED of where their relationship seemed to be going.
Overall I thought that it was a huge improvement over the first book. It had a more consistent tone and rithm, stronger character developement, an expansion of the lore, higher stakes and a better understanding of Rin as a protagonist.