I absolutely adore the premise of this book. The blend of fantastical silver-working and language was fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed the deep dives into etymology.

This was my second novel by Kuang after The Poppy War, and once again, her writing is stunning. That said, I do find her stories a bit too bleak, dark, and heavy.

Kuang doesn’t shy away from sharp academic and political critique, particularly around colonialism, cultural exploitation, and racism. I’d definitely recommend checking content warnings before diving in.

If you need a happy ending to feel satisfied, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re open to complex, layered storytelling that leans into discomfort, I highly recommend it. 

Oh, and I listened to the audiobook version 🎧 I would highly recommend it! Hearing the original languages spoken added so much to the experience, and the narrators did a fantastic job.