Babel

2 stars

I was really excited to dive into Babel, especially since I loved The Poppy War so much, but unfortunately, this one didn’t land for me. The worldbuilding was detailed and had some interesting ideas, and I could tell a lot of thought went into creating the setting and its conflicts. But I just couldn’t connect with the characters at all. Their choices and struggles didn’t pull me in, and I found myself feeling distant from the story no matter what was happening.

The pacing didn’t help either - it felt uneven at times, and I struggled to stay invested. There were moments where I thought the story could pick up or give me something to latch onto emotionally, but for me, it never really did. That made the book feel more like a chore to get through rather than an engaging read.

That said, I still love The Poppy War! That series completely captured me with its characters, high stakes, and intense storytelling, so I know this author can deliver. Babel just wasn’t the right fit for me personally.