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

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.75

This book went from 1 - 100 simultaneously so gradually and so quickly. I truly had no idea what this book was about going into it and I feel truly changed upon finishing it. A hauntingly, brutal and beautifully written story. This book is such a journey and asks truly difficult questions in the prelude to the end, what is an acceptable sacrifice in the face of war, in the face of total annihilation, how far is too far, what is justice...what is justifiable...and how can you come back from the choices you make with the circumstances presented to you? 

The allusions to true history are so well integrated into the themes of this fictional story, I recommend everyone read the author's note in the back, which references the nonfiction books/scenes/references woven into this story. I truly wept when I read Kuang's words in that section as I reflected upon those moments in the book, it added a new layer to what I had only suspected from my limited memory/knowledge as I read the book.
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