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

challenging dark informative tense slow-paced
  • 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

4.0

This starts off as bog standard epic fantasy. I think I compared Part 1 to reading Brandon Sanderson. This part is almost half the novel and we get some nice worldbuilding and a cruisy pace.

Part 2 was more complex, as it explores wartime, but was I felt still pretty standard fare. It was in this part I realised this novel is was a WW2 retelling from the perspective of China.

Part 3 examines the worst parts of the WW2 conflict, and you'll need a strong stomach. The author doesn't exaggerate - she is unflinchingly accurate in her depiction of fictional Nanking. 

This book examines the futility of war, how it corrupts, and the impacts of colonisation and racism. However it's not for the faint of heart - genocide, torture and medical experimentation are all depicted.

I wouldn't say I enjoyed the book, I don't think I can given the content. I can say RF Kuang is a good writer and this is an excellent debut novel.

Edit to add: part 3 of this book fucked me up for a few days afterwards. I ended up going on a sweet, frothy reading binge to recover.
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