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

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

5.0

After having finished the entire series, I think I'm finally ready to review The Poppy War. As the first installment in this trilogy's fantastical alternative retelling of the Second Sino-Japanese War and the development of the PRC, this book pushes the conventions of both historical and speculative fiction to grueling ends. Rin's story (meant to mirror the life of Mao Zedong) and character development is complex and moving in ways I did not expect. Kuang created a cast of characters that constantly challenges readers to see beyond strict binaries of heroism and villainy in favor of moral and emotional complexity. Her understanding of the importance of cultural legacies, trauma, and colonialism in (re)writing a war narrative makes The Poppy War amazingly intense and very very human -- even in the midst of a fiery god.

Despite a largely teenage cast of characters, this is definitely not YA fantasy and trigger warnings for violence, abuse, murder, assault, blood, gore, etc. should definitely be considered before giving this book (and series) a go. Highly recommend the amazing audiobook version, but I am now dying to get my hands on physical copies of the whole series. 
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