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Title: The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Length: Trilogy
Rating: 5/5
One of my favourite book series is "The Poppy War" by R.F. Kuang. It's a historical fantasy set in a world inspired by China during the Second Sino-Japanese War in the mid-20th century.
—Please check the trigger warnings before you read this series; it's not a light one—
“War doesn't determine who's right. War determines who remains.” -R.F. Kuang, The Poppy War
Summary
The story follows Rin, who takes the Keju—a national test to identify the most talented students. To everyone's surprise, Rin aces it, earning herself a spot at Sinegard, one of the most elite military schools in Nikan.
However, life at Sinegard isn't easy for a dark-skinned girl from the south. After clashing with other students, Rin discovers a lethal, burning power within herself. Together with a seemingly insane teacher, she starts to explore her talents. But when suddenly war breaks out, she faces a crucial question: Does she have the strength to control this power, or will it consume her?
“I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both.” -R.F. Kuang, The Poppy War
Thoughts
This book captivated me from the first sentence. Thanks to the marvellous worldbuilding, you're quickly drawn into the story. Having just finished the last book in the series, I can say that the Rin who first went to Sinegard feels like a lifetime ago.
This series will make you scream, cry, and then cry some more. Kuang does a marvellous job of showing the dark side and desperation of war. The book is raw, with characters simply trying to survive. That's what makes this series so powerful. Kuang isn't afraid to write about the ugly aspects of war, and she does so beautifully. Want to read more about my thoughts about Kuangs other books? Go to my fall recs.
“I don't need your pity. I need you to kill them for me. You have to kill them for me," Venka hissed. "Swear it. Swear on your blood that you will burn them.” -R.F. Kuang, The Poppy War
My Rating
I can't justify any rating other than five stars. The writing is beautiful, the plot is shocking and strong, and the characters have stolen my heart. This series is like a toxic relationship—you love it even as it keeps breaking your heart, and you can't stop coming back for more. But long story short it’s a massive 5-star and it definitely was a midnight read for me! Click here to add The Poppy War to your amazon wishlist.
The story is incredibly dark, so checking the content warnings is strongly advised. For instance, after reading one particularly intense scene, I had to set the book aside for a while.
For this series, I've created a book journal page! Please note that there are spoilers in the text. If you like to read more about the Poppy War, I've also mentioned this series in a blog post about 5 Books with strong Character Development!
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