Based on my engagement with the story, this book is god tier, I couldn’t put it down. But there were some elements that were all over the place and didn’t quite live up to my expectations, I wish we’d have more time with the setting and war and let things simmer and go deeper but alas.

The book felt like an adult book trying to discuss heavy topics of war, sacrifice, genocide, classism, propaganda, addiction, brutality in many ways over, but somehow seemed to be held back by a YA shell that led to themes not being worked out as far as they could be, perhaps due to Rin’s emotional intelligence being that of a potato.

The horrifying historical war events R.F. Kuang used as inspiration were written extremely well though, and truly illustrated how horrible humanity can be to one another if vilified through nationalism and inhumane propaganda.

The book is truly split into three parts, each with a vastly different pace which felt jarring. I cared much more for the cast of students at Sinegard then I ever did with the Cike, and perked up whenever we got to meet them during the sieges in the story. 

Character wise, Altan was someone I grew to hate, Kitay is precious and Nezha was truly the enemies to lovers boytoy, but I appreciated that a rivalry of pure hatred drove them to become each others betters, but had them ending up as equals. Curious to see how they’ll continue to grow.

I do appreciate that Rin as a character commits 200% to any goal she’s set, repercussions be damned. And id like to see the concequences of her actions in the next book. For now it seems she’s become the very thing she hated before, and the nationalist propaganda machine of Ninkan has worked into her quite well. Looking forward to that battle in the future for her.