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

Bright Star Burns Quick

I heard about this book through a Reddit post a few months ago, and to my delight it was available when a recent cross country drive came up. I fell into the world immediately. From the get go, Rin’s drive and ambition had me following along. For every one of her achievements, the stakes grew. From street to to school, to war and all its atrocities, Rin’s experience is certainly a harrowing one.

Now, I applaud miss Kuang’s debut. The world vivid and pulses with a real brutality. She paints action scenes so fluidly, and her sensory input is fantastic. The first two parts were unrelentingly gripping.

As the book continued, there came a shift from Rin’s internal struggle from more of what she did to more of what she thought. The philosophical quandaries began to dominate the pages, and the pace of the story started to trudge. Not to say that I don’t like understanding a characters thoughts, but it felt like they began to loop in redundancy. I think a large part of that is due to Rin’s obsession with Altan, and who through and through felt like the weakest character. Anything focused on him and his rage or hatred just slogged. And the heavy focus on him towards the end of the book really arrested the momentum going into the war.

All in all, I really enjoyed most of the book. The blips that irked me were not enough to keep me from finishing it. I appreciate the fact that miss Kuang pulled zero punches with her historical references, and I look forward to future books.

why doesn't this book have a trigger warnings

so much to unpack with what I just read. So upu know  this has lots of need to know spoilers! #1 Why doesn't The Poppy War by R.F Kuang have trigger warnings for rape!!! This is the new It book everyone is talking about. And no one is talking about the SEXUAL ASSAULT
In chapter 21 or 22 I think it is horriblely graphic. #2  I am so ok with war books, I am so ok with magic and I'm  great with mixing them together... buttt this book did not mix well In my opinion. There was a more a focus on the gruesomeness of War It was just so focused on how awful war is and how awful drugs Than to really give give us an understanding of the powers in this world. The magic was to watered down with drugs to make any true understanding to why people are fighting for it.

Wow that was a lot

A a a a a. A a. A an any cat rat rep deep k

average fantasy

the none eropean setting help it feel very refreshing, Felt like the middle slogg a bit to much. the academy part could have been better fleshed out didnt feel like you get much of chance to know many of the side characters introduced during academy times of the story. the story also suffers from white room syndrome where often there would be barely any description beside knowing there was a table in the room kind of thing or get no description at all even if characters changed rooms or farther locations. action scenes were often very vague but that enjoyment is just readers preference I guess. There was good job with food description and the storys good length to listen to while traveling.

Wow what a book

The Poppy War had so much lore and history to dig into. It was a great listen and would listen again.
However I give it four stars because I think I needed more time with Rin at school. I really wanted to see her flourish more there.
The war aspects of this book were absolutely brutal and at times hard to hear. I would advise those listening to look into trigger warnings for chapter 21.

Obsessed; Worth the read.

I love this is book. I love this realistic hate and seeking of retribution. The main characters thought process is so refreshing and fuel that she uses to push her forward is so valid. Emotional Rollercoaster but worth the personal trauma. 100/10

Addictive dark epic fantasy

Wow! What a read. Refreshing and heart-wrenching, forces you to face some difficult commentary on power, violence, and addiction. I love me a fantasy romance, but it’s been nice to follow a powerful female protagonist that doesn’t revolve around a love interest. So happy I can dive right into book 2

Wonderful debut! Congratulations!

Very nice debut novel. the sequel will be very interesting. good character history, but could use more history about the twins. looking forward to the next book.

fun but cluttered

seems like the desire to bring in a historical context and allusion was a limiting factor. the book dances through multiple plot lines whereas it should've settled and dived deeper into one of them

it's all in the details

I really enjoyed the attention to detail that the author put in to the novel. I'm only new to fantasy so to me this is a good transition I'm used to reading non fiction. very enjoyable and I can't wait to tackle the next two in the trilogy.