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A review by maecave15
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
**I highly recommend reading the review by Nenia Campbell on Goodreads.
This is a Chinese culture inspired dark fantasy, with sections inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking/Nanjing (neither of which I am familiar with). Honestly, it was dark and violent but boring at many times.
The side characters were interesting enough, but the MC Rin was power hungry and didn't listen to anyone's advice. She was childish and annoying. I don't feel anything for her at all. I would much rather read about her step brother Kesegi, who has horrible parents and is abandoned by Rin (she never once contacts him even though she claims to have loved him and play a major role in raising him).
The world building was pretty cool, and the plot was unique to me.The powers being attained through gods is a magic system I always enjoy.
The middle section of the book lagged so much though that I almost gave up on it. I'm glad I picked it back up and finished it but I won't be continuing the series.
Trigger warning for chapter 21, it has VERY gruesome acts of violence. I can handle it but honestly with how horrifying this chapter is, the book should have a blatant warning for it. Apparently this is the section that is heavily based on the Rape of Nanjing/Nanking. Iris Chang authored a book, with explicit detail and pictures, about this dark time in history. (I have not read it, I am referencing it as another reviewer did so we know the point of chapter 21).
I enjoyed this novel enough to finish it but I won't be picking up the next book in the trilogy.
This is a Chinese culture inspired dark fantasy, with sections inspired by the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Rape of Nanking/Nanjing (neither of which I am familiar with). Honestly, it was dark and violent but boring at many times.
The side characters were interesting enough, but the MC Rin was power hungry and didn't listen to anyone's advice. She was childish and annoying. I don't feel anything for her at all. I would much rather read about her step brother Kesegi, who has horrible parents and is abandoned by Rin (she never once contacts him even though she claims to have loved him and play a major role in raising him).
The world building was pretty cool, and the plot was unique to me.The powers being attained through gods is a magic system I always enjoy.
The middle section of the book lagged so much though that I almost gave up on it. I'm glad I picked it back up and finished it but I won't be continuing the series.
Trigger warning for chapter 21, it has VERY gruesome acts of violence. I can handle it but honestly with how horrifying this chapter is, the book should have a blatant warning for it. Apparently this is the section that is heavily based on the Rape of Nanjing/Nanking. Iris Chang authored a book, with explicit detail and pictures, about this dark time in history. (I have not read it, I am referencing it as another reviewer did so we know the point of chapter 21).
I enjoyed this novel enough to finish it but I won't be picking up the next book in the trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Abortion, Body horror, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Blood, Rape, Sexual violence, and Torture
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Violence, War, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, Abandonment, Forced institutionalization, and Toxic friendship