A review by mhh1102
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-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

4.5

An absolutely beautiful, positively brutal read. This author does not hold back from describing the pain and horrors of war and creates a dynamic, compelling, morally complex character. A fantastic story. It was a bit long and definitely could be overwhelming for some readers, but it's incredibly well-done

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, War, Classism

Minor: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, War

Assault is never experienced by the main character but is described vividly. Descriptions of violence are meant to be brutal.