The Poppy War

A Novel

De: R. F. Kuang

Narrado por: Emily Woo Zeller

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s 20th century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N. K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

When Rin aced the Keju - the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies - it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the South is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power - an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive - and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away....

Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity...and that it may already be too late.

R.F. Kuang studies modern Chinese history. She has a BA from Georgetown University and is currently a graduate student in the United Kingdom on a Marshall Scholarship. The Poppy War is her debut novel.

©2018 Rebecca Kuang (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Spectacular

One of the best performances and stories I've heard in a long time. The protagonist was frustrating at times but it was an accurate portrayal of a person of her age, flaws and all. I like that she isnt a perfect character but she isn't overly annoying that you get sick of her either. All of the other characters are multi-faceted and well rounded. Overall, great story.
Only critique: The descriptors of the land/layout/history sometimes were overly dense, bogged the flow down, and added little to the story in a few spots.
The narrator was amazing (except when she was embodying a character's yelling voice).
Im so happy this series was recommended to me. I hope the second and third books keep the momentum of this one.

Good characters & writing, dark story and bad end

I'll start with the best part. the narrator, who performed well. She was pleasant to listen to, voiced the characters distinctly, spoke at a good pace, and enunciated well. The worst part, for me, was the story itself. I don't like dark and depressing stories as a whole, most of the characters I liked were killed or turned dark, and one character I didn't like became likable and was then tossed aside. Even worse, the end of the book was completely unsatisfying - a quick wrap-up by deus ex machina and a separate, unexpected, unexplained turn-around. In other words, let's take some interesting characters, torture them until they break, bring the whole world to the edge of destruction, and then hand-wave a miraculous victory. I liked several of the characters enough to keep reading, hope that the author would turn things around in the end, but I was mistaken. The name of the book is not what the book is about, the picture on the cover is not one of the main characters, and the core of book seems to be about the "dark demons" inside of us (hate, revenge, fear, etc.).

A must read for dark fantasy and Grimdark fans

A novel of war, vengeance, magic, gods. a great Grimdark fantasy book. It’s a book that is super dark. Goes for show you what war is based off, hate. Takes place in an alternative China and alternative Japan. A magic system based on psychedelics is super awesome. A fantasy book that takes place in places like Asian is super refreshing and well needed. Rin is a girl with not a person in the world. She comes into magic that places her with the gods. A must read for fantasy fans. Emily woo Zeller did such a stellar job. Looking forward to hearing her do more books!

Can't Wait For Book 2

I have read very little fantasy fiction but you have inspired a new reader of this genre. I really enjoyed the richness of your style and never felt their was filler... everything had meaning!

Amazingly intense!

I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! Especially at part three!

Amazing, Enraptured in suffering

While it was an amazing work of writing I've never read a book so terrifyingly accurate on the depths of human hatred, suffering, and disregard for life. It felt like it might go on forever and it continues to obviously but 10/10 would read again.

Dislike Narrator

ThoughI finished this book, I did not love it. I very much dislike to the narrator. It was hard for me to separate the book from the narrator so I’m not sure I would’ve liked it better we’re not for her

Not a fan of mass murder

The book starts with the story of an orphan girl triumphing over incredible odds to find a better life for herself. That was great. Then it introduces a neat magic system, one that I haven't seen before and that has a tasty aspect of risk-reward; use too much power, and you eventually go insane. That's a good hook and it works well. And then...there's the war stuff. And, while the imagery is great, the main character falls deeper and deeper into spiral of anger and revenge, and by the end of the book I was just so sick of the main character and everyone who was her friend that I'm pretty sure I'm not going to continue the series. I'd honestly recommend reading this book up until the first big battle, and then dropping it, because it's only downhill from there.

Gripping and arresting

Wow. Wow wow WOW. What a read. Gripping and arresting and horrifying all at once. Be forewarned, there are some grizzly details about war, genocide, and an off page rape that I nearly had to fast forward past. All of this forces the reader to reconcile the actions of the protagonist with the horrors that drove her there. The narration is outstanding and perfectly fits the story.

Unique story and execution

I loved the Poppy War from the first few sentences. Rin's journey was an eye opening, fun ride to experience. a devastating life to witness and a conflicted ending. Characters, plot and writing are all very tight... until the end. That's where it faltered slightly. Kuang does a masterful job telling her story, she just has a Kerri Strug moment at the end.