clover_b 's review for:

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

3.5

dark slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

---

It started off very intriguing but just dragged so much in the second half. It felt simultaneously like nothing and too much was happening, and that it all was happening too slowly and yet rushing by. Ive heard this is the worst book in the series, though. I really hope they delve more into the ideas of ones enemies being inhuman, i was so relieved when Chagan or Kitay finally questioned that line of reasoning at the end. Having read her other work, i think it would be strange of Kuang to have such a straightforward villain like that, but i dont think that this book thoroughly made it clear that Mugen is not literally just evil.