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

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

- well written characters
- captivating plot but with one hole
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Qara could have sent her birds to scout out Golyn Niis rather than having the Cike travel there themselves. this plot hole exists likely because Rin seeing the cruel massacure was a pivotal turning point for her character

- excellent world building
- meticulous fictitious history
- reminded me of shadow & bone, similar heroine trope, but executed miles better here
- pacing was jarring, felt like the book suddenly skipped ahead
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Rin went from being a tenacious young woman to annoying to vengeful. I did not enjoy her nuisance arc and I don't think it did much for her character

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who I thought Altan was as a character changed dramatically throughout the novel, perhaps on purpose, to follow Rin's perspective? his character seemed to be unstable

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genocide avenging genocide is a fitting ending and is regrettably emulative of our world
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