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A review by johnathanwet
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is almost definitely the grimmest and most brutal book I’ve ever read. Coming close to Berserk in its latter half.
One thing I notice is missing from most of the epic fantasy I read is a real honesty about war. Books can be so focused on the honour of a righteous war that they skip over the small people, skip over the badness that soldiers inflict. Or soften it at least. The Poppy War does not do this, in this we don’t even see battle very often, it’s all about the cruelty inflicted upon each other in between these battles. The litany of war crimes, the chemical warfare especially cemented this as a better take on war than most.
I have been reading the stormlight archives at the same time and I think these two series are the epitome of that difference. Kaladin experiences extraordinary brutality working on the frontlines of his army, and it was important to realise the disgusting tactic that is using ‘bridge men’ to be sent out to die. But Sanderson never captures how brutal it should be, as effectively as Kuang captures the razing of Golyn niis.
One thing I notice is missing from most of the epic fantasy I read is a real honesty about war. Books can be so focused on the honour of a righteous war that they skip over the small people, skip over the badness that soldiers inflict. Or soften it at least. The Poppy War does not do this, in this we don’t even see battle very often, it’s all about the cruelty inflicted upon each other in between these battles. The litany of war crimes, the chemical warfare especially cemented this as a better take on war than most.
I have been reading the stormlight archives at the same time and I think these two series are the epitome of that difference. Kaladin experiences extraordinary brutality working on the frontlines of his army, and it was important to realise the disgusting tactic that is using ‘bridge men’ to be sent out to die. But Sanderson never captures how brutal it should be, as effectively as Kuang captures the razing of Golyn niis.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual assault, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Slavery, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug abuse