Review by gnasteb0i - The Poppy War

gnasteb0i 's review for:

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

5.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This book is a tragic cautionary tale about revenge. Rin is consistently faced with brutal choices she must make for her survival in a country in constant war. Those choices ultimately lead her to the one decision she has been warned about since the beginning of her teachings under her Master. I was not expecting this book to be as visceral and descriptive as it was. Kuangs use of imagery and the depiction of war made this book incredibly depressing at times. When humanity is committed to making enemies out of each other in the name of empire who's lives matter and what binds countrymen together? Ultimately I am grateful for this book and hope to find some peace in the following installments (although if I learned anything from the first book it does not look likely).

Content Warnings