A review by euclids_5th
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional fast-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

5.0

Holy. Fucking. Shit. I have not read a book that has made my heart pound like this in a very, very long time. I recommend going in blind, and then re-reading after you do some historical research. And for the love of God, READ THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. It’s graphic. It’s sickening. And it is incredible.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, Addiction, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Colonisation, Confinement, Mental illness, Classism, Emotional abuse, Violence, Vomit, Xenophobia, Blood, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Genocide, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and War