A review by haley49
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

It is my opinion that this book was absolutely brilliant. It was a saga from beginning to end and there is still two books to come. It was probably the most brutal book I’ve ever read, but a great study of humanity and morality delivered in a developed historical-fantasy package. It was unusual for me in that it had no romance and relied entirely upon your caring for the world as seen through the main character’s eyes. On the plus side, without romance, platonic and familial-like relationships get their chance to shine in a way that I feel is often lacking in literature. Definitely check the trigger warnings and only read this as allowed by your mental health. There is a lot of gorey descriptions, especially those relating to war. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, War, Colonisation, Death, Medical content, Addiction, Blood, Cursing, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Genocide, Grief, and Infertility

Moderate: Classism, Confinement, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Xenophobia, Miscarriage, Racism, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, Trafficking, Animal death, and Bullying

Minor: Suicide attempt, Excrement, and Religious bigotry