A review by faniladm
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

God, this is chaos. Very brutal, explicit, and destructive. 

Fang Runin (Rin), a unexpected student who enrolled Military Academy—located in Sinegard, the capital of Nikan—that she didn't belong because in history there's no students who from outskirts like Rin. She bullied. But Rin is not a girl who would be shut up upon it, she fight back in order to belong. 
Several years ahead war broken between Nikan and Federation, it is involved the students, included Rin. Along the war secret revealed about who Rin really are, and they afraid, scare, of her. Not why. But who are they, you should ask. 

The Poppy War is written by R. F. Kuang who is asian and studies Chinese history—yup, there's history in it—Opium War. I called The Poppy War as historical fantasy. The Poppy War draws how war are fucked up, terrible, inhumane, and insanity. More you get into the story, more it get worse and worse. How Rin desperated about the war, she saw something that she didn't believe that war is like hell, truly hell. Very chaotic and destructive. A lot of innocent people involved. 

I don't know why I enjoyed this book but I like it, totally captivating. The world building. The characters development. The fantasy. And the shamanism. All are fantastic. Even if it took me long time to finish because The Poppy War—thick book with long chapter—really intimidated me. 

What a dark fantasy! This is such a masterpiece, someone managed to combine history and fantasy to be in one, in The Poppy War. Kuang really great author for this. 

The Poppy War is not appropriated for young readers because has dark, explicit, and gruesome scenes of warfare and the aftermath. I wouldn't recommend for readers who under fifteen. 

Last but not least, kalo kalian udah punya KTP dan masih ragu buat baca The Poppy War. Well, I will sit for you and talk to you why you have to read The Poppy War. Let's convince you to put this dark fantasy to your next TBR. 

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