A review by zoeferry
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

5.0

I love The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. Kuang has an incredible talent for blending history, mythology, and fantasy into an utterly gripping story inspired by 20th-century China. The story follows Rin, a war orphan who discovers she has a shamanic power that could change the war's course. Kuang masterfully captures the brutality of war, the complexities of power, and Rin's intense struggle to navigate these daunting challenges.

Deeply rooted in China's rich history, Kuang introduces a mythological framework and magic system that is both terrifying and endlessly captivating. While not shying away from the horrors of war, her writing manages to instill a sense of resilience and hope that keeps you engrossed.

The ending leaves the reader anticipating what happens next, and I can't wait to delve into the rest of the trilogy to see what happens.