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cedence's review against another edition
5.0
However, I want to take a paragraph to say that this is an adult(?) high fantasy inspired by 20th century Chinese history. The main character is 14years old when the book begins, but the story lasts for several years and turns closer to an adult grim dark fantasy halfway. Genocide(s), racism and justice are themes on the forefront of this book. Chapter 21 will put it full-blown on the page in great detail. It's grusome. I suggest skipping that chapter if descriptions of unthinkable violence and cruelty against people of all ages (and animals) is not on your budget for the day. Please, use the TWs. There are a lot going on in this book.
The main character is not easily likeable as her sense of injustice fuels her need for power. And the price of power may be distrastous.
A must-read for anyone who enjoys high fantasy, military fantasy, Chinese-inspired fantasy, and just spellbinding storytelling. I recommend going in as blind as you can so every twist takes you by surprise.
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Bullying, Genocide, Infertility, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Self harm, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
smurphiavelli's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Infertility, Slavery, Torture, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Grief
jsmulan96's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
wyabook234's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Genocide, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Torture, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse and Infertility
katnivera's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Minor: Infertility, Slavery, and Torture
emmak2121's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Infertility, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
wylanslcve's review against another edition
- 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
having read kuang's other work (i.e. babel and yellowface, both of which I thought were brilliant), my expectations for the poppy war were tremendously high. however, nothing could have ever prepared me for how brutal this book ended up being. it's genuinely one of the most horrifying and brutal books - if not the most horrifying and brutal book - I've ever read, and one that will surely stay with me for the foreseeable future. luckily I buddy-read this with a friend, because I need to talk about this book with someone otherwise I'll combust.
it's no secret that kuang's depiction of war between nikan and mugen is heavily inspired by the japanese invasion of china in the 1930s, with specifically the rape of nanjing and unit 731 being significant influences. (chapter 21, which is based off of real accounts of the nanjing massacre, is by far the most brutal depiction of genocide I've ever read - even after reading a chapter summary and skimming most of the chapter, I had to take a break from the book because of how horrific it was. believe me, if you think you'll be okay reading it, you won't be.) although these parts of the book are heartbreaking and gut-wrenching to say the least, I was even more horrified reading this knowing that the atrocities kuang depicts in this book have been experienced by real people.
despite its occasional issues with pacing and characterisation (namely of some of the minor characters, even though I still loved them - I thought the characters of rin and altan were superbly written, and admittedly I have a soft spot for kitay), this is such an extraordinary debut that is certainly not for the faint of heart. everything from the magic system, to the intricacies of this high-fantasy world kuang managed to create, to rin's astounding and meticulously-crafted character arc... this is definitely a book I'll continue to think about for a while.
please check the trigger warnings before you read this. it can get very intense and brutal, and as I've said it is not for the faint of heart. don't be afraid to take it slow with this one because it can get very extreme very quickly.
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
star_witch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Genocide, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Gore
Minor: Bullying, Infertility, and Misogyny
cordeliant's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility, Racism, and Fire/Fire injury
annablanna's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis