Reviews

The Poppy War - Perang Opium by R.F. Kuang

katerybs's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

4.75

apetranoff's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

Very well done, dark, complex fantasy. The characters are fascinating, but not necessarily likable but you can see why they make the choices they do. Looking forward to reading the next one. Made me want to learn more Chinese history.

bassgirl456's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

3.75

auraaleksandra's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

yarra's review against another edition

5.0

4.5

rschwartzbard's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

hsowad's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.5

elle_g's review against another edition

1.0

I don't understand how this book had such high ratings - the main character was childish & irritating & made the worst decisions, the secondary characters & antagonists were one dimensional and largely used as props (i.e., bringing back a female character for the sole purpose of graphically describing brutal SA), the actual storytelling and pacing were messy, the story sometimes contradicted itself within a page or two. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Body horror, Child death, Death, and War

stellarla's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I overall liked the book (and especially Jiang).

There's some things that didn't make sence to me regarding Rin, but first of all, I didn't like Altan. That out of the way, I didn't see the moment where Rin connects with her origins, so to me it feels like she is fighting for something she doesn't truly believe in.

leah_shufelt's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Dude I was so into this