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A review by cryptofauna
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
woah. such a strong story.
the characterization and the setting are amazing especially but just everything about this is so so good. so well written with an amazing plot that had such a good mix of expected and unexpected. kept me absolutely hooked the whole time
i didn’t know Kuang’s whole thing was the opium wars (obviously this one but babel too) but i love how in depth the thoughts and research are on this time in history. by focusing on it they get such nuanced takes which then can be applied to the fantasy elements . the historical blends so well with the magic system too
will def be reading the sequels
the characterization and the setting are amazing especially but just everything about this is so so good. so well written with an amazing plot that had such a good mix of expected and unexpected. kept me absolutely hooked the whole time
i didn’t know Kuang’s whole thing was the opium wars (obviously this one but babel too) but i love how in depth the thoughts and research are on this time in history. by focusing on it they get such nuanced takes which then can be applied to the fantasy elements . the historical blends so well with the magic system too
will def be reading the sequels
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, War, Addiction, Blood, Drug abuse, Colonisation, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual assault