The Poppy War is a brutal story. Like absolutely horrendous, so much so that Chapter 21 is actually quite scarring. However, this gruesome tale is loosely based on actual historical events. This means that while you read the grotesque events, you know that this happened to real people, and that thought is harrowing.

Rin is easily one of the most unlikable protagonists I've ever read, with very few redemptive qualities. She starts out kinda nice and forgivable, but the intense descent into madness, filled with racism, war trauma, and actual torture, make all of her actions (however unforgivable) justifiable. So much so, that when she pulls an Eren Jaeger, that of mass genocide, her actions never felt unbelievable.

Overall, I didn't like reading most of this book, it was not a good time. But I feel like that was the point, and I would be remiss to not give R.F. Kuang the credit she deserves.

This is a book I probably never read again, but will think about it a lot.