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chloeanderson 's review for:
The Poppy War
by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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
Such an impactful book, I was hooked and it made me think about and explore history I was previously unaware of.
Only reason didn’t get 5 was pacing was a bit off at time, sometimes switches from scenes felt sudden and the scene with Venka I felt was too graphic for what I felt the author was trying to achieve. I am not a writer but I question if there was another way that we could hear Venka and the other women’s stories, I want to hear them they are important but as a survivor it was very triggering and something very quick and unexpected. I question if there was another way to highlight these women’s stories is all.
Only reason didn’t get 5 was pacing was a bit off at time, sometimes switches from scenes felt sudden and the scene with Venka I felt was too graphic for what I felt the author was trying to achieve. I am not a writer but I question if there was another way that we could hear Venka and the other women’s stories, I want to hear them they are important but as a survivor it was very triggering and something very quick and unexpected. I question if there was another way to highlight these women’s stories is all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Self harm, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail