The Dragon Republic: A Book Review
Every book lover has a different litmus test for their level of love for a book. Did you cry? Did you fling it across the room in a disgusted rage like I did that one time with Breaking Dawn? Did you buy a copy for all your friends against their will? Did you refuse to shut the hell up about the book to everyone you met who likes to read? Me? I have done all of the above, but nothing tells me I’m obsessed with a book more then getting a sore back because I haven’t moved in so long. The Dragon Republic not only gave me a sore back, but at one point I forced myself to get up to use the bathroom and my back actually spasmed in agony. So what I’m saying is, this book is so awesome it temporarily crippled me.
Spoilers ahead!
Where last we left off, I was shipping Rin with every dude in a twelve mile radius even though I hate romance because R.F. Kuang is a f’ing genius and I want to read the next book in this series and lose the ability to walk without a hunch again immediately.
Rin has decided to be my queen some more
and prance about doing extremely morally questionable things and I know we discussed this, but thank goodness for finally giving me another well written book series where the main female character is morally bankrupt yet root-able, my very favorite literary trope! Almost always our morally compromised characters in novels are male, and the poor long suffering love interest stays steadfast by their murderous side, and I love when we get the opposite. Even better, I love when the long suffering love interest is *not* staying steadfast by the murderous lead’s side, and instead has a personality and will of their own.
Rin is caught between her desire for revenge and her doubts about who is truly good and evil. Who is using Rin for their own purpose? And she is okay with being used? The complexity of Rin’s allies and our villains is another aspect that sets this series apart. We think we know who the bad guys are…but do we? We know who Rin should kiss…or should she? Kiss Nezha before he stabs you cough Is Rin just another puppet on a string, or can she break away from her master’s tune?
Like The Poppy War, this book is dark as hell, and I say this as a compliment but also a warning to those who aren’t a fan of violence in their novels and bleak themes.
Otherwise, find your comfiest place to recline (You’re going to need it) and join me in not moving for half the day while you enjoy The Dragon Republic.
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