3 Stars
Pros: Suni, always the quiet one, proves to be gentle and reassuring to Rin during a difficult time/Nezha's Father Vaisra smacks some sense into Rin, which she desperately needed and I'm glad he did it. Though at the same time, I don't know if the Dragon Warlord can be trusted.
Cons: Rin at the beginning is whiney/impulsive/violent, her temper tantrums are obnoxious/It's all about vengeance, everyone's out for vengeance, vengeance this and vengeance that, it gets old/The end, though surprising, felt rushed, like Kuang was trying to jam in as much shocking moments as she could while in my opinion, some parts of the book could have been a little less drawn out.
Full Review:
It's only been a few months after the horrific and costly events at the end of The Poppy War. Rin, now Commander of the Cike, is working with Moag, the Pirate Queen of a small settlement called Ankhiluun. Moag's main occupation is running the largest smuggling operation in Nikara, mainly of opium and she's promised Rin that if she assassinates certain people for her, then she'll help her go after the Empress, Daji. She, of course, double crosses Rin but Rin and the Cike are saved by the Dragon Warlord, Vaisra, and his son, Nezha, who to Rin's amazement, is still alive.
Vaisra has a plan and vision for the future. He's intent on uniting the provinces of Nikara and creating a Republic. He believes that democracy can bring an end to all the bloodshed. Rin, desperate for someone to tell her what to do, never having been very good at figuring out her own life, follows his lead. She, along with Kitay, Venka, Nezha and others, campaign against the Northern provinces of Nikara in an attempt to gain more numbers, convince people to join their Republic and put an end to Daji's oppressive tyranny. A race from the West, called the Hesperians, come to observe Vaisra's campaign and their decision whether to aid or retreat, could be the turning point. As Vaisra's victories grow less, and things become more dire, Rin begins to think she might be on the wrong side.
All the while, her access to the Phoenix has been blocked. Daji, the Vipress, of the Trifecta, the three legendary Shamans, (the Dragon Emperor, the Vipress and the Gatekeeper (Rin's old Master at Sinegard, Jiang)) put a block in her mind. But with the help of the Ketreyids, people from the Northern part of the Country, where Qara and Chahang are from, she's able to rid herself of the block and with the help of Kitay, gain access to the powers of the Phoenix again.
Of course, while all this is happening, the strangeness of Nezha's miraculous ability to heal is discovered. Also, there's the troubling fact that Feylen, possessed by the God of the Wind, is alive and well and free from the Chuhlu Korrikh. He is out there, unpredictable fighting on the side of the Empress.. It all comes to a head, friends become enemies, enemies become friends, so much happens in such quick succession that it all seems a bit rushed. But that's the whole point, Rin's entire worldview has to be crushed and ruined in order for her to rise up out of the ashes, like the Phoenix she can call.
Though still dark, this novel didn't have that same, gut wrenching, jaw dropping horror of its predecessor. And though Rin is still young, nineteen at the most, her tantrums and violent outbursts can grate on the nerves. It was a shocking ending and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't eager to start The Burning God to see how it all ends.
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