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A review by silvia_gio
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
5.0
R.F. Kuang’s The Poppy War, a fantasy novel inspired by the darkest chapters of China’s twentieth century, tells the story of small-town war orphan Fang Runin (aka Rin). With no money, autonomy, or power of her own, she sees only one escape–the Keju: a staggeringly difficult standardized test that permits a brilliant few Nikarans to attend national boarding schools. The Poppy War is half fantasy boarding school novel, half war story, in any case I don't feel like calling it grimdark, unlike many others.
Rin herself is an exceedingly gripping protagonist, described with a raw intensity and brutal determination that are very compelling to read. On the other hand the characters in generalcan't genuinely surprise me for better or worse. Mostly they are stereotyped characters, which recall the protagonists already seen in an infinity of anime and manga and fantasy.
I found The Poppy War’s worldbuilding to be top-notch. Inspired by a mixture of 20th-century and Song Dynasty China, the setting in the academy of Sinegard and the larger empire of Nikan was well-developed.
On the topic of the book’s darker elements. The events of the novel itself are based partially on the Second Sino-Japanese War and include fictionalized versions of recognizable atrocities like the Rape of Nanjing. Unlike what many think, who were shocked by the brutality of many of the episodes narrated in the second and third part of the book I found these elements aren’t present for the sole purpose of upsetting the reader–they say something about the bleaker parts of human nature.
That said, The Poppy War is still an enjoyable, compelling read with great action, emotional impact, and an awesome magic system. The story combines the many of the best bits of magical schooling, wuxia, and gritty war stories into an exceptional novel. I would give this book a well-earned 5/5 stars.
Rin herself is an exceedingly gripping protagonist, described with a raw intensity and brutal determination that are very compelling to read. On the other hand the characters in generalcan't genuinely surprise me for better or worse. Mostly they are stereotyped characters, which recall the protagonists already seen in an infinity of anime and manga and fantasy.
I found The Poppy War’s worldbuilding to be top-notch. Inspired by a mixture of 20th-century and Song Dynasty China, the setting in the academy of Sinegard and the larger empire of Nikan was well-developed.
On the topic of the book’s darker elements. The events of the novel itself are based partially on the Second Sino-Japanese War and include fictionalized versions of recognizable atrocities like the Rape of Nanjing. Unlike what many think, who were shocked by the brutality of many of the episodes narrated in the second and third part of the book I found these elements aren’t present for the sole purpose of upsetting the reader–they say something about the bleaker parts of human nature.
That said, The Poppy War is still an enjoyable, compelling read with great action, emotional impact, and an awesome magic system. The story combines the many of the best bits of magical schooling, wuxia, and gritty war stories into an exceptional novel. I would give this book a well-earned 5/5 stars.