The Poppy War

A Novel

An AudioFile Magazine Best Audiobook of 2018! Read by Audiofile Golden Voice Narrator, Emily Woo Zeller

A Library Journal, Paste Magazine, and ENTROPYBest Books of 2018 pick!

Washington Post "5 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel of 2018" pick!

A Bustle "30 Best Fiction Books of 2018" pick!

“I have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt that [Kuang’s] name will be up there with the likes of Robin Hobb and N.K. Jemisin.” -- Booknest

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth 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.

Difficult protagonist

I struggled to finish this one. I think the biggest struggle for me was that I never really liked the main protagonist.

Great World building but Unlikeable Protagonist

Fantastic narrator, great worldbuilding, very unlikeable protagonist overall. I had high hopes for this book. The world it built was just absolutely amazing and different from what I usually read, with an interesting political situation to boot. However, as I read on I couldn't help but strongly dislike the protagonist. The main character has few qualities or redeeming moments that make me want to root for her. It seems that everything that would make her likeable come from external sources: a ridiculously evil invader (complete with forty minutes of what amounts to tragedy porn in a whole chapter dedicated to it), and a few unlikeable peers.

I kept waiting for something to like in the main character. I can appreciate a good redemption arc, a good turn around, but it just never really came.

It was okay.

The first part of the book was great. As it moved on, some of the descriptions turned out to be long winded. There is a chapter that describes the genocide of a city that was more than a little bit disturbing.

OMG! ❤❤❤❤

This was amazing! I couldn't put it down. yes there were things that wouldn't sit right with my stomach but this book blew me away!

flame on

great story and great characters enjoyed watching rin struggle at each step. ive heard a great quote that sums up her journey: "much good work is lost for lack of a little more"