The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)

by R.F. Kuang

And now the unrealized futures of millions were scorched out of existence, like a sky full of stars suddenly darkened.

Damn

It took her a while to realize that she might be out at sea.

I think nezha has her

They were Cike robes.

Oh god i just want nezha to be alive

Ramsa knocked her hand aside and wrapped his skinny arms around her in a tight embrace.

Then your friend had the idea to sail to the island, and that’s where we stumbled upon you.

You were lying on a sheet of glass, Rin. Sand all around you, and you were on a sheet of clear crystal. It was something like a story. A fairy tale.”

“And I was right,” said Kitay. “I’ve never been so glad to be right.” He rushed forward and hugged Rin tightly. “You didn’t give up on me at Golyn Niis. I couldn’t give up on you.”

“They were monsters!” Rin shrieked. “They were not human!”

“Have you ever considered,” he said slowly, “that that was exactly what they thought of us?”

Facts

“I don’t know what happened to you in that temple,” he said. “But you are not Fang Runin.”

Rin could not separate her thoughts from the Phoenix’s desire. She could resist it, in which case she thought she’d go mad. Or she could embrace it and love it.

I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both.

“No, Altan named his successor before we left for Golyn Niis.” Rin jerked her head up. That was news. “Who?” Chaghan looked like he couldn’t believe she had asked. “It’s you,” he said, as if it were obvious.

“I’m going to find and kill everyone responsible,” said Rin. “You cannot stop me.” Chaghan laughed a dry, cutting laugh. “Oh, I’m not going to stop you.” He held out his hand.

They were allies, now, bound by the mutual atrocities they had committed.

The gods could affect the universe only through humans like her.