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A review by voypel
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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
4.75
If you read this review before you read the book:
Pay attention to the content warnings. This book is very explicit in some tropes.
The chapters:Chapter 21: All the warnings below apply heavily in this one.
Pay attention to the content warnings. This book is very explicit in some tropes.
The chapters:
Summary:
The Poppy War is, in my opinion, one of the best fantasy epos debuts of the last few years. People who like fantasy concepts with a dark reality behind and grand strategy elements will love this book.
Yes, it’s dark, horrible and sometimes downright depressing, but this instills realism, high stakes and emotion into this book, something I personally have missed in recent times.
I docked .25 stars for the really heavy content this book carries, I believe a similar effect could have been created without this level of explicitness. However, I concede the point the author tries to make, applaud her even for integrating it seamlessly into the story, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
In times when genocide and extremist politics become socially acceptable again, this book narrates a clear warning.
Storytelling & Characters:
I have seldomly read such a compelling plot in a fantasy debut. The main character steadily evolves throughout the story, taking you with her through her darkest times. Even the „explicit scenes“ are integrated so well, that it doesn’t feel like splatter or gore but more like the horrible reality of an Auschwitz documentary. The plot is heavily driven by all the different actors in such a realistic, even historically accurate way, that it resonates heavily after.
Pacing:
It’s great, I read this in two days, couldn’t really lay it aside.
Tldr:
Great book. Honestly, one of the best ones I’ve read in the last few years. Big recommendation.
Short Note:
I have read many reviews that criticise the war/post-war scenes as completely needless. I understand that to some degree, but you probably didn’t grasp the clear political and humanitarian statement 🤷♀️. A documentary about concentration camps or modern day China genocidal activities without some explicitness is a euphemism of reality.
The Poppy War is, in my opinion, one of the best fantasy epos debuts of the last few years. People who like fantasy concepts with a dark reality behind and grand strategy elements will love this book.
Yes, it’s dark, horrible and sometimes downright depressing, but this instills realism, high stakes and emotion into this book, something I personally have missed in recent times.
I docked .25 stars for the really heavy content this book carries, I believe a similar effect could have been created without this level of explicitness. However, I concede the point the author tries to make, applaud her even for integrating it seamlessly into the story, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea.
In times when genocide and extremist politics become socially acceptable again, this book narrates a clear warning.
Storytelling & Characters:
I have seldomly read such a compelling plot in a fantasy debut. The main character steadily evolves throughout the story, taking you with her through her darkest times. Even the „explicit scenes“ are integrated so well, that it doesn’t feel like splatter or gore but more like the horrible reality of an Auschwitz documentary. The plot is heavily driven by all the different actors in such a realistic, even historically accurate way, that it resonates heavily after.
Pacing:
It’s great, I read this in two days, couldn’t really lay it aside.
Tldr:
Great book. Honestly, one of the best ones I’ve read in the last few years. Big recommendation.
Short Note:
I have read many reviews that criticise the war/post-war scenes as completely needless. I understand that to some degree, but you probably didn’t grasp the clear political and humanitarian statement 🤷♀️. A documentary about concentration camps or modern day China genocidal activities without some explicitness is a euphemism of reality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Addiction, Child death, Torture, War, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Death, Genocide, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Violence