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anxiousshorebird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book suffered from mismatched tone and some bad pacing. It felt like a YA magic school novel (complete with a Draco Malfoy type character) for way too long. Then by the end it was a grim dark, violent, war torn character study. It felt like an abrupt shift. Looking back, I see some merit to experiencing the MC's journey from determined teenager to hardened soldier along with her. While reading it, however, I found myself wishing her origins were told through intermittent flashbacks.
I really enjoy the world that Juang created. I love that she hasn't shied away from a DEEPLY flawed main character. Frankly, I don't even like this MC. But o sure loved reading her story once I got passed the slog of her schooling.
All in all, it's far from a 5 star read for me, but it's a very commendable debut novel. I won't hesitate to read the rest of the trilogy. I plan to read a light romance before the next Poppy War book though, because this shit got DARK.
Speaking of, please check the content warnings. Since the beginning is so much more tame than the rest, it's worth the risk of spoiling yourself a bit to make sure you know what you're getting into. I recommend skipping chapter 21 if you're someone who can take a lot, but have a limit.
Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, War, Body horror, Death, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Blood, Violence, Drug abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Medical trauma, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Addiction, Excrement, Animal death, Infertility, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Trafficking
markseyy'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: War, Drug abuse, Genocide, Rape, Gore, Murder, Violence, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Self harm, Addiction, Animal death, Death, and Drug use
ldod'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
4.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Genocide, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Murder, Xenophobia, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Child abuse, War, Torture, Sexual violence, Racism, Sexual harassment, Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Colonisation, Death, Violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, and Drug abuse
thehannahclaire'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: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Gore, Child death, Grief, Death, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Torture, Sexual assault, War, Hate crime, Rape, Violence, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Body horror, and Addiction
Moderate: Self harm, Cursing, Vomit, and Classism
renorsomethin'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, Violence, Drug abuse, Murder, Torture, Genocide, Sexual assault, Blood, Physical abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Gore, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Self harm, Colonisation, Infertility, Cursing, Vomit, Classism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Child death, Classism, Xenophobia, Animal death, and Death of parent
beanformation'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Drug use, Cursing, Blood, Sexual content, Murder, Sexual violence, Slavery, Genocide, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Death, Trafficking, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Cannibalism, and Body horror
arguhlincozzi'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Child death, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Blood, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Body horror, Classism, Racism, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Torture, Violence, War, Gore, Body shaming, Child abuse, Grief, Murder, Rape, and Emotional abuse
annjulia'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
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Violence, Murder, Racism, Rape, Animal death, Blood, War, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Addiction, Drug use, and Genocide
kiahsbooks'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: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Addiction, War, Violence, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual violence, and Genocide
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
princessrory'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Colonisation, Rape, War, Sexual assault, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Animal death, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual violence, Torture, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Violence, Addiction, Drug use, Genocide, and Grief
Moderate: Sexism, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Misogyny, Racism, Child abuse, Classism, and Medical content
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, Excrement, and Infertility