Reviews tagging 'Gore'

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

1383 reviews

lindseyhall44's review

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dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I genuinely think that this might be one of the greatest fantasy novels I have ever read. R.F. Kuang is an incredible talent, and both her academic background and love of reading show in every page. It is a difficult read, but a rewarding one, and I am excited (and very afraid) to get my hands on the next installment. 

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readwithsophsx's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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raptor_cat's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25


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manicake's review against another edition

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4.0

This went in much more complex and dark twists and turns then I expected when I first picked it up. Getting through it certainly was a journey, but I’m glad I stuck it out!

I truly loved part one, and thought it would set the tone for the rest of the story. Boy, was I wrong. I really struggled with part two, both because it was confusing to me but also because I had to take a moment to grieve what I thought the book was gonna be like. And it was really dark and have parallels to real life atrocities that truly twist my stomach and keep me up at night. Everything tied in splendidly in part three and even though I thought this series wasn’t for me I’ll continue reading it. 

I’m beyond impressed that this was the authors debut novel published before her 22nd birthday! The complex world building and magic system, knowledge of warfare, drugs and trauma - and the writing style. Absolutely gobsmacked!

I recommend everyone who is affected by triggers to look them up before embarking on this journey of a book, and to stick it out if it should feel rough!

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danisaur's review

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my second time through and I still absolutely love this book. There is so much that challenges my worldview while also shaping the same worldview. I agree with some aspects and disagree with others. There are times that I forget just how young the characters are, but it makes it that much more impactful. The book has a lot of challenging scenes. It is based on Chinese history and some parts of it make me question my own Japanese heritage. It feels so far removed from myself and yet so obviously tears at the fabric of the societies that it affected. I am glad books like this exist and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

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aishaslittlelife's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Definitely check trigger warnings before reading this book.

The first 100 or so pages are slow paced but then after that it gets fast faced really fast until the end. 

Absolutely broke me into a thousand tiny hurting bits. Altan is my favourite nobody understands him like I do. 

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graffitithesky's review

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adventurous challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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fantasynarwhal's review

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adventurous dark sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


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misszoehatter's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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amelia_d's review

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

4.0


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