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

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

this is not a book to read if you want to be happy. this is a book to read if you want to set your bar for future fantasy novels so high that it may never be surpassed again. i can't put into words the complexity, power, and sheer brilliance of this story. i just know that nothing i can read next will ever be quite like it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, War, Classism

Moderate: Infertility, Colonisation

Minor: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit