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A review by constancenorene
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
5.0
REBECCA KUANG WHEN I GET YOU!!! WHEN I GET YOU REBECCA KUANG!!!
The Poppy War is absolutely brutal. It doesn’t hold back, even for a second. Based on China’s twentieth century with a fantasy twist of magic and drug elements inspired by the Opium Wars, R.F. Kuang has spun a brilliant, chilling story. Although I felt that the first half did drag on a bit, it was important to establish the military history and Rin’s challenges she faced to get where she was when the real fighting began.
We follow Fang Runin, an orphan from the Second Poppy War. Desperate to escape the arranged marriage her foster parents and the village matchmaker have made for her, she throws herself into her studies, determined to pass the military exam and get into Singegard. The prestigious military academy is her only ticket out, and she’s determined not to let her chance slip from her grip.
Her first year at the Academy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be- she makes more enemies than friends, gets banned from combat class, and feels more alone than ever. However, while preparing to pursue a career in strategy, the lore master finds that she has a promising path in Shamanism, and he takes her under his wing.
But only 3 years into her term, another war breaks out, with the Federation of Mugen charging the Academy. Rin and her classmates are forced to grow up too soon, and when a burst of power leaves her unable to join the regular military ranks, she finds herself forced to join the Cike, an elite assassination team composed of other Shamans. The horrors of war are closer than Rin thinks, and her powers are more fragile than she could ever imagine….
I can’t believe it took me so long to read this trilogy! I’m excited to dive into the other two books!
The Poppy War is absolutely brutal. It doesn’t hold back, even for a second. Based on China’s twentieth century with a fantasy twist of magic and drug elements inspired by the Opium Wars, R.F. Kuang has spun a brilliant, chilling story. Although I felt that the first half did drag on a bit, it was important to establish the military history and Rin’s challenges she faced to get where she was when the real fighting began.
We follow Fang Runin, an orphan from the Second Poppy War. Desperate to escape the arranged marriage her foster parents and the village matchmaker have made for her, she throws herself into her studies, determined to pass the military exam and get into Singegard. The prestigious military academy is her only ticket out, and she’s determined not to let her chance slip from her grip.
Her first year at the Academy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be- she makes more enemies than friends, gets banned from combat class, and feels more alone than ever. However, while preparing to pursue a career in strategy, the lore master finds that she has a promising path in Shamanism, and he takes her under his wing.
But only 3 years into her term, another war breaks out, with the Federation of Mugen charging the Academy. Rin and her classmates are forced to grow up too soon, and when a burst of power leaves her unable to join the regular military ranks, she finds herself forced to join the Cike, an elite assassination team composed of other Shamans. The horrors of war are closer than Rin thinks, and her powers are more fragile than she could ever imagine….
I can’t believe it took me so long to read this trilogy! I’m excited to dive into the other two books!