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A review by coralinejones
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think I have a slight bias against this book because I read Babel first. I really love Babel. It became my new favorite book before I had even finished it. And I had assumed that the writing in Poppy War would be as articulate and academic as that one.
I absolutely assumed R.F Kuang's writing style was just of that and nothing else because of my first impression with her. Although, I do know that Poppy War was her debut, and her first series, and she said it was like knocking the training wheels off for other projects. So I'm not mad at her for improving her writing style beyond Poppy War #1.
This book, at first, read like a YA school fantasy. I enjoyed the very beginning, but couldn't really stand any of the scenes when Rin was in school. Later, the book got as dark as I assumed it would and ended up really liking it.
I admittedly enjoyed the latter half of the novel more than the beginning, even though I really enjoyed the very start of the book. I want to read the second and third installments of the series, but I probably won't do it anytime soon.
I absolutely assumed R.F Kuang's writing style was just of that and nothing else because of my first impression with her. Although, I do know that Poppy War was her debut, and her first series, and she said it was like knocking the training wheels off for other projects. So I'm not mad at her for improving her writing style beyond Poppy War #1.
This book, at first, read like a YA school fantasy. I enjoyed the very beginning, but couldn't really stand any of the scenes when Rin was in school. Later, the book got as dark as I assumed it would and ended up really liking it.
I admittedly enjoyed the latter half of the novel more than the beginning, even though I really enjoyed the very start of the book. I want to read the second and third installments of the series, but I probably won't do it anytime soon.