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

5.0

I didn't get the chance a review when I finished this book in July bc it's a 10/10 read that left me absolutely speechless (and I'm still reeling over how good this novel is). The God Tier novel is packed with complex characters, a very strong premise, an excellent worldbuilding, and a very even pacing. It's also clear that the author manage to faithfully incorporate influences of her culture in the worlduilding (and it all feels very authentic and very real to me). Also!!! The sublime female character and her complex and nuanced friendships & alliances!!! The build-up towards the reckoning is absolutely epiphany inducing and leaves me eager to read the sequel as well as the excrutiating wait for the final installment (which is a first of such for me).

In a nutshell: A wonderfully written alternative universe fantasy novel with both a lot of depth and page-turning elements.

5/5