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A review by cluttered_mind
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
A good story that's poorly executed. The author rushed through the set up to get to the exciting parts. Which made those parts of the book fall flat.
I wish there were more time spent on build up, so that there is actual pay off in the end. As it is, it just feels like things happened. And that's that. Usually the story falls into telling-not showing.
It also feels more like the author tried to hold a lesson on the real life history that inspired this, and less like a work of fiction.
I don't think there is a single character I actually care about. None of them get the time they need to grow on you. They're just there.there wasn't a single character death that feels in any way meaningful
It's a decent book for such a young author, but there should have been spent more time fleshing it out.
I wish there were more time spent on build up, so that there is actual pay off in the end. As it is, it just feels like things happened. And that's that. Usually the story falls into telling-not showing.
It also feels more like the author tried to hold a lesson on the real life history that inspired this, and less like a work of fiction.
I don't think there is a single character I actually care about. None of them get the time they need to grow on you. They're just there.
It's a decent book for such a young author, but there should have been spent more time fleshing it out.