Review by wynnter - The Poppy War

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wynnter 's review for:

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

4.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I’m going to be adding to this review a lot. This book was fantastic but sooo long. Part 1 was so good. It was painful and hopeful and anxiety inducing and then it only really accelerated from there. Part two was probably my least favorite. Book two was a hard and disturbing read filled with unthinkable atrocities and loss and sadness. Part 3 felt like a new beginning and then another set back. All in all I wish I didn’t only listen to the audiobook because I don’t know how to spell anyone’s names 😭 but wow I love Rin as a main character. She is so damn brave and intelligent and flawed and works so hard. I loved Jung too and Kitay. I was surprised by a certain character’s redemption arc but pleasantly and don’t believe he’s actually dead.

This book almost felt too long. There was too much going on. But since it’s broken up into different parts it’s forgiven. Part 1 is like 1 speed and then it feels like it gets exponentially more intense from there out. I couldn’t stop listening. I didn’t want to stop listening. I don’t think I can wait for my Libby hold on book 2.

This isn’t a series you read for feel good enjoyment. It’s dark and appalling and full of a lot of death. But the story building is fantastic

Content Warnings