christineplum 's review for:

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

4.0

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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after rereading, I docked it a star because while the world building is stunning and interesting, there are things in Rin’s progression that feel less sincere and more like they’re needed for the plot. I’ve read other works by Kuang at this point, and she definitely tightens some of the weaknesses that come out in this book. (you know, her DEBUT novel lol.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail