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

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

1.5

There are two books here. The first half is framed as a simple but decently fun heroes journey story complete with the classic magic school tropes. The second half is an abrupt shift into an insultingly simplified and very blatant retelling of the second sino-japanese war which cheapens actual historical tragedies and ham-fistedly uses them to advance a meandering plot. The only really good thing I can say about this book is that its far better than its sequels.
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