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A review by katstine
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
dark
tense
fast-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
I'm so torn on what to rate this book. The writing is incredible and fantastically intricate. The world building is very clear and well developed. It is undeniably a *great* book.
However...
There are scenes in this that are *incredibly* graphic and not for the faint of heart... and I might be faint of heart. Especially when I thought about the fact that the atrocities committed by the enemy in this are likely based on what the Japanese army did in WWII (I literally went to the WWII Museum in New Orleans the day after I started this book, so it was fresh in my mind). The writing of those scenes is absolutely effective... but to the point where I had trouble sleeping. So... check your trigger warnings and maybe skip chapter 21 if you have a weak stomach like me.
Also I feel like Rin is a really difficult character to like or root for. Every time she is faced with a decision, it seems like she chooses the wrong option. She somewhat acknowledges this about herself in the end, but... not really? But I do feel like it leaves room for some serious character development throughout the next two books. So that isn't necessarily a complaint because it doesn't seem like the author is necessarily advocating for the choices Rin makes. But it does make the reading experience a little frustrating.
Despite all that, this is truly a fantastic book with an vastly complex world, fascinating characters and a plethora of intriguing ethical dilemmas. I will probably not be able to stop thinking about it for a long time and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
However...
There are scenes in this that are *incredibly* graphic and not for the faint of heart... and I might be faint of heart. Especially when I thought about the fact that the atrocities committed by the enemy in this are likely based on what the Japanese army did in WWII (I literally went to the WWII Museum in New Orleans the day after I started this book, so it was fresh in my mind). The writing of those scenes is absolutely effective... but to the point where I had trouble sleeping. So... check your trigger warnings and maybe skip chapter 21 if you have a weak stomach like me.
Also I feel like Rin is a really difficult character to like or root for. Every time she is faced with a decision, it seems like she chooses the wrong option. She somewhat acknowledges this about herself in the end, but... not really? But I do feel like it leaves room for some serious character development throughout the next two books. So that isn't necessarily a complaint because it doesn't seem like the author is necessarily advocating for the choices Rin makes. But it does make the reading experience a little frustrating.
Despite all that, this is truly a fantastic book with an vastly complex world, fascinating characters and a plethora of intriguing ethical dilemmas. I will probably not be able to stop thinking about it for a long time and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War