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A review by unlikelyplaces
Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I have to be honest, I don't really understand all the hype around this book. I thought it was fine... The concept was really interesting and I love historical fantasy but for some reason it just fell a little flat for me.
As I said, the concept and the magic system were so interesting and for me that was the strongest aspect of this. I loved the setting and the general atmosphere.
I also really liked the way that R.F. Kuang used footnotes throughout to elaborate on things. It felt fitting for a book about academics and provided some really interesting additions. I thought that was very clever.
However, I didn't really connect with the characters that much so when big emotional things started happening I found that I didn't really care. The prose felt extremely modern at times which felt a bit out of place.
I thought that the themes and messaging in this were really important and it was such an interesting way to explore them. However, I found the way that the themes were delivered to be a bit heavy-handed at times
Finally, I thought that when we reached what should have been the big climax it felt like what should have been a big exciting moment suddenly ground to a halt and there were a few chapters near the end that felt like such a drag which was disappointing.
So yeah I feel mixed about this. It has so much potential for me to love it but just didn't quite connect the way I was hoping.
As I said, the concept and the magic system were so interesting and for me that was the strongest aspect of this. I loved the setting and the general atmosphere.
I also really liked the way that R.F. Kuang used footnotes throughout to elaborate on things. It felt fitting for a book about academics and provided some really interesting additions. I thought that was very clever.
However, I didn't really connect with the characters that much so when big emotional things started happening I found that I didn't really care. The prose felt extremely modern at times which felt a bit out of place.
I thought that the themes and messaging in this were really important and it was such an interesting way to explore them. However, I found the way that the themes were delivered to be a bit heavy-handed at times
Finally, I thought that when we reached what should have been the big climax it felt like what should have been a big exciting moment suddenly ground to a halt and there were a few chapters near the end that felt like such a drag which was disappointing.
So yeah I feel mixed about this. It has so much potential for me to love it but just didn't quite connect the way I was hoping.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexism and Suicide
Minor: Drug abuse