raindropsinreverie's Reviews (617)

I have a LOT of emotions about this book and my brain is not properly functioning at the moment. This review is going to be all over the place and will probably not mention a majority of things. But, my word, did I love this book! And to think this is a debut!

This book goes from dark to horribly dark and brutal. It is definitely not for younger readers or people who don't like graphic descriptions of war, among other things.

trigger warnings:
- mistreatment of orphan
- colourism
- self harm (burning skin to improve concentration and focus)
- W A R
- bullying (both physical and emotional)
- graphic details of torture and rape
- graphic details of corpses
- infanticide
- murder
- human experimentation
- chemical warfare
- mutilation
- torture
- drug addiction and withdrawal
- W A R

I don't know how you did it, Ms Kuang, but I hate and love the main characters so much. At the same time. They do horrible things, they are irritating and exasperating, but still, sort of lovable. I am still not sure where I stand with regard to the protagonist, Rin. Do I like her? Do I despise her? I loved her in the first part but in parts two and three, she just became so whiny and so unlike her former self. I am not sure she had a single discussion where she was not arguing or being disrespectful. I hope she undergoes some character development in the next book.

Can we take a moment to appreciate the honest transformation of Nezha from a bully to a friend? The scene where Rin and Nezha are fighting with their backs to each other has my whole heart.

Also this book has no romance! I mean, yes, attraction is hinted at. But it doesn't develop. And I love that! It's wartime. Romance should be the last thing on the minds of these characters.

The side characters. I just loved each and every one of them. All the Cike soilders, oof. So well-written and so complex. And Kitay! That boy needs to be protected at all costs! The absolute best friend anyone could ever ask for. Now Altan. Just like Rin, I don't know whether I truly love him. He did hit her and was incredibly rude to her. But he's so lovable. AH I don't know. But that scene made me cry so hard. The fact that Chagnan did not feel it gives me some hope. So I'll keep my fingers crossed for a miracle in The Dragon Republic.

All in all, if you love fantasy and are not put off by that long list of trigger/content warnings, do give this book a try. You might not like it, you might even end up hating it, but it is one of the most popular fantasy by an author of colour at the moment. Don't miss out.

I loved this book so so much! I thought I knew what I was getting into, because I read Daisy Jones and The Six a couple months earlier. But oh boy, did this book surpass my expectations. I now understand why people who had read this book were underwhelmed by Daisy Jones. I love both these books so much and I love Taylor Jenkins Reid so much.

I'll post a proper review soon, once I stop being such a crying mess. But until then, EVERYBODY READ THIS BOOK

OMG what a cute book! I was gasping and awwing throughout! Where do I find me a Rishi Patel? Or even Ashish? Please and thank you

3.5 stars, but I’m comfortable rounding up for the feels this gave me!

I was not over the cuteness of When Dimple Met Rishi and needed more of the Patel brothers in my life, so I devoured this book in less than a day. And AHH SO CUTE!!!! Sweetie I love you so much! Ashish what a cute lil baby :))) Also, Celia who?
I liked Sweetie and Ashish more than I liked Dimple and Rishi. Sandhaya Menon, I am a fan. I need to read the rest of your books right now!

P.S. How do I stop daydreaming about having a boyfriend like Ashish? Please help.

Read this for The Reading Rush. It is the perfect book for a readathon because once you start reading it, you don't want to stop. It is sweet and fun. Although the story is predictable and nothing out of the ordinary, it is still a lot fun to read. Loved every second of the four hours I spent reading it :)

I read The Henna Wars and The Henna artist a few months ago, and now this - I really want to master the art of mehendi now!