Bridget’s Reviews > He Who Drowned the World > Status Update

Bro this book is just about sadomasochism. Like, seriously. It's just S&M smut. It's gooner bait for people who like toxic yaoi. I'm very, um... bored.

I've been reflecting on this series more between books. It makes me sad to say it, but I think "queer" books written by non-women will always prioritize and provide emotional interiority to their male characters that their female and non binary characters are not permitted. Baoxiang, Esen and Ouyang are made sympathetic and vulnerable; Ma and Chongba cruel and cold girlbosses with no softness. I'm sad.