A review by thebookworm777
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book will have you on the edge of your seat, speed reading to find out what happens next.

Kuang beautifully blends historical events of the Sino-Japenese war (1937-45) with fantasy and lore in a way that pushes readers to question their own perceptions of this part of history and forces readers into a head-on confrontation with difficult concepts, such as, what actions are moral during war? The Poppy War features a strong underdog character who you can't help but root for and hurt alongside as she navigates a multitude of seemingly insurmountable challenges. This is a good read for anyone who enjoys L.A Meyer and Tamora Pierce and is looking for more mature content. 

Note, this book does not shy away from the atrocities of war, cw: graphic violence, sexual assault, racism, addiction, torture, ptsd
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