Scan barcode
A review by gabberjaws
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Full disclosure, I tried to read this book twice before this, and gave up fairly early because I wasn't in the mood for it. I didn't dislike the book by any means - just knew I wasn't in the right headspace to finish it yet. So I put it down each time, with the promise to come back to it when I was ready.
I’m glad I waited.
The Poppy War was a phenomenal read. This book is an examination of power, the horrors of war, and vengeance. It asks the question “What happens if the hero doesn’t do the noble thing. What if the hero chooses to do exactly what was done onto them” and it follows it through to the grim end.
Rin was a beautifully complex, layered character. I like her, but I am not rooting for her to succeed in her personal goals, and I think R. F Kuang is remarkably talented for being able to make me feel this way about a character. I've seen unlikable characters that I can root for, and I've enjoyed them for it. A likeable, sympathetic character who I don't want to succeed? That's hard to do, but she did it so well.
In this exceedingly grim, extremely traumatic world, Rin never feels like a hardened adult. She comes across as exactly what she is; a nineteen year old girl, a child, really, who's been through immense suffering and is understandably consumed by her thirst for vengeance and assured of her own power.
Ultimately, I think the only thing that didn't really work for me was how different quickly the tone of the book changed between the first half and the second half. Felt a little whiplashy, tbh. And I'm not sure if I understood Rin's feelings for Altan. Seeking kinship, yeah, that I get. Being in love with him? Eh.
But I digress. I think this was a truly great book, and though I'll take some time to read the rest of this trilogy, I will definitely be reading the rest. If you're able to stomach the contents and themes of this one, I think everyone interested in fantasy that has something to say should give this a go. But really folks, please don’t ignore the content warnings on this one; this book is very heavily based on the Massacre of Nanjing, and it does not sugarcoat the atrocities committed.
-----------
9/02/2023
Not me with my whole head empty and not realizing this was based on the Nanjing Massacre UNTIL I WAS 70% OF THE WAY IN.
I’m glad I waited.
The Poppy War was a phenomenal read. This book is an examination of power, the horrors of war, and vengeance. It asks the question “What happens if the hero doesn’t do the noble thing. What if the hero chooses to do exactly what was done onto them” and it follows it through to the grim end.
Rin was a beautifully complex, layered character. I like her, but I am not rooting for her to succeed in her personal goals, and I think R. F Kuang is remarkably talented for being able to make me feel this way about a character. I've seen unlikable characters that I can root for, and I've enjoyed them for it. A likeable, sympathetic character who I don't want to succeed? That's hard to do, but she did it so well.
In this exceedingly grim, extremely traumatic world, Rin never feels like a hardened adult. She comes across as exactly what she is; a nineteen year old girl, a child, really, who's been through immense suffering and is understandably consumed by her thirst for vengeance and assured of her own power.
Ultimately, I think the only thing that didn't really work for me was how different quickly the tone of the book changed between the first half and the second half. Felt a little whiplashy, tbh. And I'm not sure if I understood Rin's feelings for Altan. Seeking kinship, yeah, that I get. Being in love with him? Eh.
But I digress. I think this was a truly great book, and though I'll take some time to read the rest of this trilogy, I will definitely be reading the rest. If you're able to stomach the contents and themes of this one, I think everyone interested in fantasy that has something to say should give this a go. But really folks, please don’t ignore the content warnings on this one; this book is very heavily based on the Massacre of Nanjing, and it does not sugarcoat the atrocities committed.
-----------
9/02/2023
Not me with my whole head empty and not realizing this was based on the Nanjing Massacre UNTIL I WAS 70% OF THE WAY IN.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Rape, Self harm, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death