From the Bookshelf of Ranters and Reviewers…

The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)

R.F. Kuang

Start date: March 1, 2021

Finish date: March 31, 2021

Discussion: BOTM

Why we're reading this: March Diverse BOTM
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November 2021 Series BOTM Suggestions
By Sofia , duckish things · 9 posts · 19 views

last updated Oct 21, 2021 11:56PM

October 2021 Continuation BOTM: The Wicked King
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last updated Oct 21, 2021 11:55PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 09, 2021 krista ☽✧ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-reads, morally-grey-books

“War doesn't determine who's right. War determines who remains.....

Lett me tell you something about this book called the Poppy War aka the emotional destroyer of your soul , and let me tell you this its true pain. And then people are telling you the sequels are even worse , nice. I will welcome the pain as and old friend. Because i am an emotional mess. I am just a mess after this book and emotional drained but this book is so good. ITS A MASTERPIECE.
If you love morally greyness and like a r ...more

205 likes · Like · see review

Jan 03, 2021 Lia Carstairs rated it really liked it

Shelves: adult, fantasy, all-time-fav, fav-fmc, asian-mythology, diverse-fmc

"Warfare was about absolutes. Us or them. Victory or defeat. There was no middle way. There was no mercy. No surrender."

I-I've never been so terrified to continue a series as I am now.

help

“If you hold the fate of the country in your hands, if you have accepted your obligation to your people, then your life ceases to be your own.”

I am in love with this book. These characters. Ohmygod who knew the beginning of this book could be so vastly different from the end???

I lit ...more

158 likes · Like · see review

Feb 04, 2021 chaity rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2021

It's hard to come to terms with the fact that I managed to come out of this book alive.

But here I am (after a few hours of silent screaming). Also I'm scared (you are evil, R.F Kuang but I love you) and am not sure where to start (excuse all the nervous noises) .

This book promises very little but gives you a quite a lot and leaves you in desperate want to catch your breath. I both felt relieved and experienced a great deal grief after finishing this book. It was thrilling,disturbing, captivatin ...more

62 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2021 Annie rated it really liked it

Shelves: made-for-me, 5-diverse, good-endings, age-adult, has-slow-pacing, 2-political-intrigue, 3-royalty, good-premise, rating-four-stars, its-original

“You humans always think you’re destined for things, for tragedy or for greatness. Destiny is a myth. Destiny is the only myth. The gods choose nothing. You chose.”
4 Stars // 89%
Inspired by the backdrop of China's Century of humiliation, The Poppy War is a military epic in the style of a traditional Chinese Wuxia story, locking two thinly veiled fantasy versions of China and Japan (Nikan and Mugen) against each other in a bloody, wretched fight for territory. And as Mugen advances on the Ni ...more

41 likes · Like · see review

Jan 27, 2021 Nella ☾ of Bookland rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy-paranormal

The beginning 60% of this book was quite slow and plagued with massive amounts of show don’t tell. The magic system was hazy and I struggled to relate to the characters. Then the last 40% came out of nowhere and struck me with such intense action and pain my head is still reeling.

I’m traumatized and exhausted and devastasted. 😫

And somehow ready to endure it all over again for The Dragon Republic. ...more

32 likes · Like · see review

Jun 03, 2021 dorian ♕ ♕ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: covers-worthy-of-an-oscar, enemies-to-lovers-gold-mine

i cried.

24 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2021 Fray rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2021, favorites-2021

I’m in so much pain right now

20 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2021 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: current-faves, i-am-obsessed

The power that R.F Kuang holds over me right now is thoroughly concerning. I am in pieces over her DEBUT novel and I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner. How was it possible that before I had even gotten halfway through I already knew that this would be one of my favorite fantasy series I’ve read so far! The characters, the world building, the historical element, the shamans and gods!!, the harsh realities of a war-stricken country and the morally gray actions these characters would fa ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Dec 19, 2020 Kelsea Janae Hamm rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series-and-trilogys-read-2020-2021, end-of-2020-reads

After Months And Maybe Years Of Deciding To Read This Book, I Have Finally Read The Poppy War And Loved It !!!!

This Book Is The First In A Trilogy And Surprizenly I Did Not Expect To Love It As Much As I Did And That Goes To Tell You That Yes I Will Be Finishing The Trilogy And I Cannot Wait To Jump Into The 2nd Book Of This Beautiful And Just Great Trilogy

2 likes · Like · see review

Nov 05, 2020 Fal rated it it was amazing

I picked this book up after a friend mentioned it in passing. They said it may be something I would be interested in because it's fantasy and its war commentary. Wow, this book exceeded every expectation. First, I just want to say that there are many triggering topics within this novel and so, as a disclaimer, I will include those here.

TW: addiction, drugs, murder, genocide, infanticide, mutilation, rape, violence, war, racism

I hope I am not missing anything, but if I am, I apologize and will ch I picked this book up after a friend mentioned it in passing. They said it may be something I would be interested in because it's fantasy and its war commentary. Wow, this book exceeded every expectation. First, I just want to say that there are many triggering topics within this novel and so, as a disclaimer, I will include those here.

TW: addiction, drugs, murder, genocide, infanticide, mutilation, rape, violence, war, racism

I hope I am not missing anything, but if I am, I apologize and will change it once I'm made aware.

The book follows Runin (called Rin) who leaves her rural town through pure grit to study at the great military school Sinegard. She studies there, cultivating her knowledge in topics such as war strategy, while also realizing her own power through shamanism. Then, war breaks out in her country. From there, the story tells the horrors of war as we follow Rin and her crew through an external battle against Mugen and an internal battle over what they're willing to do for power, freedom, and their country.

I think Kuang is a very clear and effective writer. Her writing feels very grounded, even as she writes a world that is confusing and nuanced. I was expecting to have to drudge through fight scenes, as my knowledge on martial arts and war strategy is pretty limited, but I never felt lost in Kuang's writing.

Furthermore, the pacing in this novel felt perfect. I never felt like I was being info dumped. Every scene felt essential to the plot and the growth of the characters. And every plot point (even if unresolved--this is a trilogy, after all), felt like it was properly rewarded. After DNFing three books in a row because of this issue, I can't emphasize how much I appreciated Kuang's diligence in this aspect.

Lastly, Kuang's ability to craft complex characters is great. She does not make rooting for Rin easy. Instead, she paints a picture so frustratingly dark, unfair, and full of vengeance, you have no choice but to just go along for the ride. And boy, was it heartbreaking.

I really, really enjoyed this book and am about to binge the second one. ...more

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Dec 24, 2020 Anne rated it really liked it

Shelves: favourites

Basically i have a lot of feelings but all i can say is that though everyone *almost everyone* dies near the end and kitay, the best person ever has left the crew angrily, the book was a gem to read and to discover. in it's pages i found a deep, delved world inspired by ancient chinese and drug wars. Overall, immensely satisfied i picked it up. ...more

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