A review by ha1yan
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was brutal. At its core, it's a story about war and colonization and includes many gruesome details of the atrocities that come with them. Please keep in mind that the warfare in this books is heavily influenced by the Japanese colonization of China during World War II/pre WWII-- I was caught off guard by the parallels. I found Rin to be an interesting character as she truly gets to channel and unleash her rage.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Excrement and Vomit