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Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Colonisation, War, Classism
That being said, I enjoyed the challenge that this story offers. I feel that the first half really offered what most fantasy books provide, a character with flaws who has to slowly stumble into who they are while defying the limitations that were placed on them. Rin is a likeable character with very little impulse control and a lot of learning to do. What she learns, as implied by the title, is the pain of war. And the story constantly begs the question: what is the true price of violence?
There is a LOT of violence in the second half, bordering on overwhelming at times. I would definitely argue that one should have content awareness of gore and sexual assault because when it came up I was not expecting it. Through the pain, some parts of the human condition are truly highlighted, both the ugly and the fragile beauties.
Overall, I really enjoyed the ambiguity of right and wrong in high stakes situations. I like the critiques of varying kinds of power and the prices for them. The story took twists I wasn't expecting, and I'm curious where the next book will go.
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, War
Moderate: Genocide, Gore, Sexual assault, Grief
Going into this book I had quite high expectations based on all the praise R. F. Kuang has received for this series, and I must say the praise is well deserved and my expectations were exceeded. Kuang has crafted a near perfect start to a series with The Poppy War. The plot, structure and pacing made the story flow smoothly and I couldn’t put this book down.
Her characters are complex and flawed which made them all the more relatable and real. I found myself captivated by not only the main character Rin, but all of the others she interacts with throughout her journey.
It is obvious an extensive amount of research was conducted while writing this book. The themes and messages woven throughout the entire story are so powerful and it is impossible to ignore how this fantasy world so perfectly mirrors our own, both past and present. Kuang did not shy away from the very real, dark and gut wrenching realities of war. This is a book that will stick with me for a long time.
While I 100% recommend this book, I highly suggest anyone considering reading it look into any and all trigger warnings.
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical trauma, Abandonment, War
Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Sexual assault, Violence, Colonisation, War
Graphic: Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Rape, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, War
Moderate: Addiction
Graphic: Drug use, Genocide, Rape, Fire/Fire injury, War
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Death, Infertility, Blood, Grief
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Torture
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia, War
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail