This book was fantastic. If you have any interest in language as a concept, I highly recommend you read this. I loved the magic system and all of the creative ways that it could be applied. The critiques on academia and colonization were fantastic and thought-provoking. R.F. Kuang doesn't pull any punches. No one is safe. I was crying by the end. I know it wasn't perfect but I can't help but give it 5 stars. I could feel how much love and time was put into this book and I respect it so much.