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

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I nearly dnf'd it, because it seemed like SUCH a generic, boring YA magical girl school story. People told me it would get better later on, so I kept on reading, and it did. It got really good at times. But I think by that time, the book had already lost me and I couldn't really get into it again. I liked the characters, the mythology, the whole world building and that it's steeped in real-world history, it just seemed ... long. But then again, some plot points that seemed important were handled so quickly. I guess I'm trying to say ... the pacing and built of the story arc felt off for me.