this book is everything I hoped it would be.

when I first read senlinyu I knew I loved their writing. manacled was a hard and emotional read. I gave it a 4 because of the handmaids tale vibes that were just too much for me. but this was different.

I really enjoyed the changes. it did take a bit to get over comparing and looking for the old story in this one. I enjoyed the new magical system and thought it was very well thought out with new backstory. it did take a bit for me to get into part one because we dont get backstory until part two.

this is emotional - I teared up multiple times. it is so layered. I will be thinking about the commentary on society, people, relationships, and politics for some time. I'm looking forward to listening to the audiobook and reading anything they write in the future.

I'm not sure I will read more of the series. this was interesting enough to finish but not for me. I am not sure if rin is meant to be morally grey or disliked. I had a hard time liking really anyone but kitay. this randomly had a lot of animal cruelty which my bad for not looking at content warnings. also i know its a book about war but the action was a bit too gruesome for me.

again all this is personal and maybe i would have been better off picking a differemt book. i read this for the hype. good book just not for me. I would read more of her stuff.

this was hard to read because it reads like a research paper or legal document at times. the audiobook helped me get through.

this was very thought provoking. I think her capabilities approach is a good one. I would say I 90% agree with what she said.

I think her writing style had my flipping flipping opinions a lot. we often agreed but her way of getting to the point would have me unsure where she was going at times.

I'm a vegan and animal right activist and while it was interesting I'm not sure who this book would be for based on its writing style. it seemed like it should have been a thesis somewhere.

this is heavy book. I knew it would be but sheesh. while it was raw it also felt like too much. too sad and too traumatic. its not to say that these things dont happen but I guess I just personally didnt need to read it.

this was not for me. I guessed the entire story within the first 50 pages. the main plot was interesting but all the subplot and tropes were too distracting and sick. it had one of my least favorite tropes teased in the book which likely happens later on in the trilogy - and while I won't spoil it its just unnecessary. as is a lot of this book.

won't be reading the rest of the series but maybe I'll watch the show. it was an easy read and I did learn some new words.

this was fine. a few ai really enjoyed. pretty repetitive. writing style wasn't as enjoyable as others to me

I really enjoyed this. the first few chapters I was annoyed by the main character and her self narration. but it quickly picked up and it was really enjoyable. predictable, comforting, emotional. while I didn't cry this is the closest I've come while reading in a few years.