Genre
Historical Fiction/Fantasy
Setting and Context
China during the mid 20th century
Narrator and Point of View
Kuang's novel is told from a third-person narrator.
Tone and Mood
The novel is violent, somber, reflective, and measured.
Protagonist and Antagonist
Rin (Protagonist) vs. the Mugen Federation (Antagonists)
Major Conflict
Rin and the rest of the student's fight to vanquish the Mugen Federation, who are attacking their school, and ultimately, to wipe them off the map as a major player in the sphere of Chinese power.
Climax
When Rin finds the Phoenix temple and destroys it (and the Mugenese homeland along with it).
Foreshadowing
Rin becoming a heroin addict is foreshadowed by her foster parents being opium dealers.
Understatement
Rin's sheer intelligence is understated early on in the novel as she navigates her difficult circumstances.
Allusions
There are allusions to Chinese history (particularly history related to the opium wars), as well as other fantasy works and warfare.
Imagery
Throughout the novel, Kuang utilizes violent, oftentimes bloody and grotesque, imagery to underscore the depravity of the situation Rin and nearly every Chinese person found themselves in during the 20th century.
Paradox
Rin is not a full-grown adult, yet is given the responsibilities of a full-grown adult.
Parallelism
Rin's path towards becoming a student at the college is paralleled by many other students, including Altan.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
Shoushudao is used to refer to a doctor.
Personification
Opium is personified and given human characteristics throughout the novel.
