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A review by meliflowers
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Despite it being nearly a year since I've read this, I still remember this book clearly.
The first two parts trick you into thinking this is a fun and exciting young adult fantasy book but once the third part start you are body-slammed into a graphic retelling of war and its cruel and unbearable harvest.
Painfully detailed, and almost unbearably so, R.F. Kuang writes about what it means to be an unwanted 'chosen one'. The protagonist is tasked with an insurmountable task and doesn't know how to go on about it. Meanwhile, she still has to cope with racism, misogyny and abuse.
I know that it doesn't really sound appealing but the writing, the characterisation and the setting are written so incredibly well.
I also appreciate how the author subtly shows how victims of violence inevitably birth more victims.
Definitely a big recommendation if you like fantasy and can stomach explicitly written horrors.
The first two parts trick you into thinking this is a fun and exciting young adult fantasy book but once the third part start you are body-slammed into a graphic retelling of war and its cruel and unbearable harvest.
Painfully detailed, and almost unbearably so, R.F. Kuang writes about what it means to be an unwanted 'chosen one'. The protagonist is tasked with an insurmountable task and doesn't know how to go on about it. Meanwhile, she still has to cope with racism, misogyny and abuse.
I know that it doesn't really sound appealing but the writing, the characterisation and the setting are written so incredibly well.
I also appreciate how the author subtly shows how victims of violence inevitably birth more victims.
Definitely a big recommendation if you like fantasy and can stomach explicitly written horrors.