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A review by stephanieridiculous
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
2022 review after re-read:
Trigger warnings for drugs abuse, child abuse, rape, gore, war, death, genocide, torture, etc.
I'm leaving this at 5 stars, although if I had read it anew today it might have gotten 4 instead. The first 300 pages are a delight to read - young girl ships off to school to find purpose for the first time in her life. It was fun to learn about the world as Rin did, and root for her as she overcame somewhat typical challenges that face young people coming into their own.
This takes a sharp turn in tone in part three, as war is wont to do. I think there's a balance to strike between communicating the horrors of whatever is going on in a story, and Kuang goes hard. I don't think the length and breadth of detail regarding the Federations massacre of Golyn Niis was necessary, and it's genuinely traumatizing reading it.
I had forgotten that about where Rin lands at the end of the book, morally. I listened for the first read, and I think the narration detracted a little bit from the severity of the change in Rin (this isn't a fault, it just hit different reading printed words vs hearing a soothing voice speak them) and I think after this re-read I am less likely to recommend the series. It's dark, y'all. Hella dark. And while Kuang's writing is really good, I'm not sure it's worth the turmoil/weight/second hand trauma the book is likely to inflict.
Trigger warnings for drugs abuse, child abuse, rape, gore, war, death, genocide, torture, etc.
I'm leaving this at 5 stars, although if I had read it anew today it might have gotten 4 instead. The first 300 pages are a delight to read - young girl ships off to school to find purpose for the first time in her life. It was fun to learn about the world as Rin did, and root for her as she overcame somewhat typical challenges that face young people coming into their own.
This takes a sharp turn in tone in part three, as war is wont to do. I think there's a balance to strike between communicating the horrors of whatever is going on in a story, and Kuang goes hard. I don't think the length and breadth of detail regarding the Federations massacre of Golyn Niis was necessary, and it's genuinely traumatizing reading it.
I had forgotten that about where Rin lands at the end of the book, morally. I listened for the first read, and I think the narration detracted a little bit from the severity of the change in Rin (this isn't a fault, it just hit different reading printed words vs hearing a soothing voice speak them) and I think after this re-read I am less likely to recommend the series. It's dark, y'all. Hella dark. And while Kuang's writing is really good, I'm not sure it's worth the turmoil/weight/second hand trauma the book is likely to inflict.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism