The Poppy War by R F Kuang

The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)

by R.F. Kuang

Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018

'The best fantasy debut of 2018' WIRED

A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China's twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.

When Rin aced the Keju - the test to find the most talented students in the Empire - it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn't believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin's guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.

But surprises aren't always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power - an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive - and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away...

Reviewed by Jordon on

5 of 5 stars

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Wow. The Poppy War has left me speechless. This story was absolutely amazing. I don't think I expected it to be as heavy or as dark as it was, it surprised me, but it made me love this book even more.

I couldn't put this book down, I read as much as I could every night before falling asleep. It was the kind of book you stayed up really late into the night because you wanted to know what happened next, it just kept going, there wasn't a moment where the story lulled. Yet it was also the kind of book where you slowly started to hate the world. But wow. I cannot stop thinking about this story.

I really enjoyed how Rin just kept trying and just kept fighting. No matter the dis-advantages she faced because of racism. It was brutal, and it was heartbreaking, so then it was satisfying getting to see her shove it all in those horrible peoples faces.

Did anyone else really just not like Rin by the end of this book? I've never experienced that before in a book, but the more I read, the more I really started to dis-like Rin. Except I also wanted to keep reading, my dis-like of her did not stop me liking this book. Which is rare. I feel like there is still time for Rin to redeem herself in the next books.

I will probably leave this a while before I pick the next book up, simply because this story was a lot to take in and my brain needs a break. But I ultimately loved this book and recommend everyone to read it.

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Reading updates

  • 24 July, 2021: Started reading
  • 24 July, 2021: on page 0 out of 544 0%
  • 25 July, 2021: 15% done 15%
    Why did it take me so long to start reading this book?! I can’t put it down!
  • 27 July, 2021: 100% done 100%
    Wow...
  • 26 July, 2021: Finished reading
  • 30 July, 2021: Reviewed