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A review by shellballenger
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
5.0
Type of read: Commuter Read
What made me pick it up: I was absolutely gutted by 'The Poppy Wars' and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series. It was originally recommended by a close friend.
Overall rating: Kuang has a way with storytelling that pulls you in, rips you apart, puts you back together, and leaves you crumpled but wanting more. In 'The Dragon Republic,' Rin continues her journey of finding who she is, how she fits into a war-driven world, and how she's supposed to control soldiers in her command when she can't even control her own power. I love the growth and almost coming to terms mentality that happens with some of the characters and the overall storyline progression. I also really enjoyed seeing the evolution and closure we got with some of the minor characters from 'The Poppy Wars.' While Rin is definitely the focus, we get more of a feel for those she fights alongside and against. I'm incredibly excited to finish the series.
Aside from the story, having finished two books now from Kuang, I have to say the way they write is absolutely amazing. Their ability to know when to be eloquent and when to be rough. The word choice, scene setting, and multiple emotions woven throughout are not something you come across in every book. Kuang's writing not only makes me excited to read, it makes me hopeful for the future of storytelling.
Reader's Note: I'm just going to carry over my trigger/content warnings from 'The Poppy War,' 'The Dragon Republic' includes themes and storylines revolving around self-harm, mental, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, drug use, and war. There are graphic depictions of rape, death/dying, and torture. Specific to 'The Dragon Republic' there are also detailed scenes of animal sacrifice.
Audio Book Notes: One of my biggest complaints with 'The Dragon Republic' has nothing to do with the actual book, more the narration of the book, which I absolutely hate saying because I feel like Emily Woo Zeller does an absolutely outstanding job narrating. However, there are certain words or names that are said COMPLETELY differently from 'The Poppy War' and it's so confusing to me because from what I can tell, the audio versions I'm listening to were both narrated by Woo Zeller. It just takes you out of the book a bit.
What made me pick it up: I was absolutely gutted by 'The Poppy Wars' and couldn't wait to get my hands on the next installment in the series. It was originally recommended by a close friend.
Overall rating: Kuang has a way with storytelling that pulls you in, rips you apart, puts you back together, and leaves you crumpled but wanting more. In 'The Dragon Republic,' Rin continues her journey of finding who she is, how she fits into a war-driven world, and how she's supposed to control soldiers in her command when she can't even control her own power. I love the growth and almost coming to terms mentality that happens with some of the characters and the overall storyline progression. I also really enjoyed seeing the evolution and closure we got with some of the minor characters from 'The Poppy Wars.' While Rin is definitely the focus, we get more of a feel for those she fights alongside and against. I'm incredibly excited to finish the series.
Aside from the story, having finished two books now from Kuang, I have to say the way they write is absolutely amazing. Their ability to know when to be eloquent and when to be rough. The word choice, scene setting, and multiple emotions woven throughout are not something you come across in every book. Kuang's writing not only makes me excited to read, it makes me hopeful for the future of storytelling.
Reader's Note: I'm just going to carry over my trigger/content warnings from 'The Poppy War,' 'The Dragon Republic' includes themes and storylines revolving around self-harm, mental, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, drug use, and war. There are graphic depictions of rape, death/dying, and torture. Specific to 'The Dragon Republic' there are also detailed scenes of animal sacrifice.
Audio Book Notes: One of my biggest complaints with 'The Dragon Republic' has nothing to do with the actual book, more the narration of the book, which I absolutely hate saying because I feel like Emily Woo Zeller does an absolutely outstanding job narrating. However, there are certain words or names that are said COMPLETELY differently from 'The Poppy War' and it's so confusing to me because from what I can tell, the audio versions I'm listening to were both narrated by Woo Zeller. It just takes you out of the book a bit.