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A review by chloeanderson
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
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: Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, War, Xenophobia, and Genocide
Moderate: Murder, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Colonisation, Self harm, and Drug use