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A review by iwasalilacsky
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
5.0 STARS (BUT DOES ONE EVEN RATE THIS?!)
Thoughts:
*adding to my will: BURY ME WITH THIS BOOK TO READ IN THE AFTERLIFE*
No clue why I am writing this review after just finishing. I am still reeling, but must get my thoughts out as I speed dial my therapist. Forgive me if none of this is intelligible.
I feel hollow. I feel changed. How does one even begin to dissect this? I want to summarize this story, however I feel as though my words cannot uphold how truly astonishing this book is and will not add to what R.F. Kuang has summarized (as well as many other lovely reviewers).
I took my time in reading this to really savor it. It was like tea for my soul that didn’t get over steeped no matter how long I took. Although towards the end, I needed and valued the time and breathers as there was so much going on.
Holy sh*t!! EVERY CHARACTER IS SO WELL WRITTEN AND DO NOT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THIS PLOT! You are not supposed to like everyone or agree with even your favorite character’s choices. Everyone is problematic. Nothing is glorified or the right decision. This book was a stab in the heart that I’d ask for again, but not any time soon because I am dealing with what it just did to me.
I might be the last to jump on the bandwagon for this series, but if I’m not then stop everything you are doing and go get this book! I hope everyone has the pleasure to. However, do read the trigger warnings please! This story is not for the faint of heart with situations of war that had actually transpired and is taken from history. RF Kuang does not hold back.
War is a remarkably terrifying thing, and even when it’s over… is it ever over? No one is lying when they say this book is dark. It is twisted. It is raw. It is emotional. It is gripping. I felt sick at many moments. I absolutely cried multiple times and sometimes forgot how to cry with how much is going on.
I cannot even begin to tell anyone how excited I am to continue this series! I googled that this might get a tv series and as amazing as that is, please take care of this story. Do it right!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Anyone who is looking for a story to take you down a morally grey road. AND TO BASICALLY ANYONE AND EVERYONE!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
Paperback. This thing is underlined, written all over, and sticky tabbed. Hopefully no one I know will need to borrow it from me.
How did I discover this:
It is everywhere I look. Goodreads. Barnes & Noble. My local book stores. Booktok.
Pace:
Medium
Cover thoughts:
OUTSTANDING!
POV:
Rin
Quotes:
’Who controlled whom? Was it the solider who had called the god, or the god in the body of the solider?’
Great danger is always associated with great power. The difference between the great and the mediocre is that the great are willing to take that risk.
There is a price. This is always a price.
Chaos does not discriminate.
War doesn't determine who's right. War determines who remains.
Revenge will only bring you pain.
Triggers *SPOILERS*:
Genocide, Violence, Rape, War, Death, Murder, Gore, Drugs, Addiction, Torture, Sexual Violence, Self-Harm, Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts, Racism, Xenophobia, Colonization, Colorism, Bullying, Abuse, Animal Cruelty, Animal Death, Medical Trauma, Ableism, Infertility, Swearing, Sexism, Misogyny, Trafficking, etc.
Thoughts:
*adding to my will: BURY ME WITH THIS BOOK TO READ IN THE AFTERLIFE*
No clue why I am writing this review after just finishing. I am still reeling, but must get my thoughts out as I speed dial my therapist. Forgive me if none of this is intelligible.
I feel hollow. I feel changed. How does one even begin to dissect this? I want to summarize this story, however I feel as though my words cannot uphold how truly astonishing this book is and will not add to what R.F. Kuang has summarized (as well as many other lovely reviewers).
I took my time in reading this to really savor it. It was like tea for my soul that didn’t get over steeped no matter how long I took. Although towards the end, I needed and valued the time and breathers as there was so much going on.
Holy sh*t!! EVERY CHARACTER IS SO WELL WRITTEN AND DO NOT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THIS PLOT! You are not supposed to like everyone or agree with even your favorite character’s choices. Everyone is problematic. Nothing is glorified or the right decision. This book was a stab in the heart that I’d ask for again, but not any time soon because I am dealing with what it just did to me.
I might be the last to jump on the bandwagon for this series, but if I’m not then stop everything you are doing and go get this book! I hope everyone has the pleasure to. However, do read the trigger warnings please! This story is not for the faint of heart with situations of war that had actually transpired and is taken from history. RF Kuang does not hold back.
War is a remarkably terrifying thing, and even when it’s over… is it ever over? No one is lying when they say this book is dark. It is twisted. It is raw. It is emotional. It is gripping. I felt sick at many moments. I absolutely cried multiple times and sometimes forgot how to cry with how much is going on.
I cannot even begin to tell anyone how excited I am to continue this series! I googled that this might get a tv series and as amazing as that is, please take care of this story. Do it right!
Would I recommend this and to who:
Anyone who is looking for a story to take you down a morally grey road. AND TO BASICALLY ANYONE AND EVERYONE!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
Paperback. This thing is underlined, written all over, and sticky tabbed. Hopefully no one I know will need to borrow it from me.
How did I discover this:
It is everywhere I look. Goodreads. Barnes & Noble. My local book stores. Booktok.
Pace:
Medium
Cover thoughts:
OUTSTANDING!
POV:
Rin
Quotes:
’Who controlled whom? Was it the solider who had called the god, or the god in the body of the solider?’
Great danger is always associated with great power. The difference between the great and the mediocre is that the great are willing to take that risk.
There is a price. This is always a price.
Chaos does not discriminate.
War doesn't determine who's right. War determines who remains.
Revenge will only bring you pain.
Triggers *SPOILERS*:
Genocide, Violence, Rape, War, Death, Murder, Gore, Drugs, Addiction, Torture, Sexual Violence, Self-Harm, Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts, Racism, Xenophobia, Colonization, Colorism, Bullying, Abuse, Animal Cruelty, Animal Death, Medical Trauma, Ableism, Infertility, Swearing, Sexism, Misogyny, Trafficking, etc.