The Poppy War series by R.F King - Reading from 'The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1)' from September 1st 2019

[Dannii]

@Ashleigh (view spoiler)[I believe the events were inspired by The Rape of Nanjing, which was a mass killing of Chinese citizens by the Japanese Army. I may be wrong, though. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Dannii wrote: "@Ashleigh [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I've just looked this up, because I was thinking this had to be inspired by something, and yeah it was. It's even more horrific when you realise it work place in our real world, but that's war unfortunately (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

21% (view spoiler)[ It was a little difficult to get back into since I’d forgotten a lot of the names and plot of book 1, but now I’m into it, I remembered why I love this series so much! I like the action already so far and the character development. Sunni is a new favourite already! I just hope Vaisra won’t betray Rin-I think he’s a brilliant and vivid character, but I’m suspicious of him. Definitely rooting for a little romance with Nezha though. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ashleigh wrote: "Dannii wrote: "@Ashleigh [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[This part of the book was horrific. I agree that it made it even more so to find a real world equivalent. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

✨Skye✨ wrote: "
21% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I love Suni too. He is a lovable giant! Also keeping my fingers crossed for a little, slow burn romance to blossom. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Second quarter of The Dragon Republic - (view spoiler)[This has such a different vibe to the first book, but I am still loving it just as much. The focus is heavily on war and the politics surrounding this. Rin has been bartered for reinforcements and is now subjected to being studied for an hour each week. This gives her flashbacks to the last time she was someone's test subject and I just feel so horrifically sorry for her! I do enjoy the discussions about religion and other culture that these newcomers bring though.

Poisoning the waters was a stroke of genius but I was so shocked that it was Niang's doing. I never entertained the thought that they'd be fighting their school friends. Another layer to the sadness!

Poor Kitay is breaking my heart. His sweet innocence is gone and although he is on speaking terms with Rin again, their bond has been fractured. He was the one to kill Niang and you could see the horror of this deed growing inside him, as well as how he is becoming ever more distanced from the boy he once was. I don't see how all these characters can survive the war, yet alone win it and emerge the other side with their mentality intact. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

Dannii and Skye - I plan to read The Dragon Republic but I forgot to make sure a copy was available before I finished The Poppy War.. oops. So I'm just waiting on my library copy coming though.

[Lesa]

@ashleigh let me know when you get The Dragon Republic. I was supposed to had started but Stephen King book came available for me at the library so decided to finish this first.

[Dannii]

No worries, guys :) I'm loving this one and have a busy weekend so hoping to fly through the rest today and tomorrow, but I'll catch up with your updates whenever you get to it :)

[Ashleigh]

MY HOLD HAS COME THROUGH!

Will be starting soon :)

[Lesa]

Ashleigh wrote: "MY HOLD HAS COME THROUGH!

Will be starting soon :)"

Ok.... Ill start soon too. Trying to get more into Stephen King book but blah... Need some fantasy.

[Ashleigh]

I've been doing a mix of Stephen King and fantasy the past couple of days haha

[Dannii]

Lol! I'm also starting a Stephen King alongside this!

[Dannii]

Third quarter of The Dragon Republic - (view spoiler)[I can't believe Nezah is a shaman! I did not see that coming. I adore how excited Kitay was to solve the mystery surrounding the underwater explosions, after this revelation. He is so awkward but equally so adorable!

This isn't an unenjoyable read, but the war and political focus make it a far more dense and slow paced one. This is very much a book of two halves, however. The first dwelt upon the troops attempting to gain their country back and infiltrate the ground of their former friends and now enemies. The second is more about Rin's personal struggle. This seems to have abated for a while, now she has bonded with Kitay.

He allows her spirit to roam without fear of the phoenix overwhelming her. He can summon the phoenix and she can call the fire. The previous scene to this, where she banished Altan from her mind was quite an emotional one. I always harboured a thought that he might not have died. I'm still holding out hope for his return, as I'm sure we have yet to hear of his body being found. (hide spoiler)]

[Lesa]

Dang... I still havent started The Dragon Republic or Datkdawn its like I am not ready for them to end.

[Dannii]

Lesa wrote: "Dang... I still havent started The Dragon Republic or Datkdawn its like I am not ready for them to end."

I feel you! Darkdawn is my most anticipated release of the year but I've not even started my series reread. I'm too nervous for it!

[Dannii]

Fourth quarter of The Dragon Republic - (view spoiler)[Whilst I've enjoyed this entire book, my enjoyment was a little less so than for the book one. Events were constantly occurring but I think I had a slight issue that the stakes were low and so there was little tension behind them, for the reader. There was a consistent enemy to battle, but the enemy felt very distanced and most of the fight was spent reaching them across land and sea.

The last quarter brought them closer to the enemy, though. All the earlier tension rose from the moment Rin gained her wings. Kitay is a genius and this was such a cool invention to read about in action! Her battle with Feylin in the skies was intense and I may have screamed out loud when Nezah kissed her after her descent, even if it was only to provide her with air whilst underwater.

All of my desire to see them pair up evaporated when Nezah betrayed Rin. I did not see this coming and felt like a sad parent with how disappointed in him I became. Rin and Kitay's mode of communication was excruciating but ingenious! I worry what his betrayal will make her character become like in book three! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

11% - (view spoiler)[Nezha's alive? Of course he's alive. I knew he would be. Is it bad that I was kinda warming up to their friendship in the first book before he was 'killed'. I really thought something would develop between them, maybe it will this time.

Also, I'm reading this on my Kindle and I've got popular highlights turned on. Can someone tell me why 13 people highlighted the phrase '"I mean if that ship were a person, I would fuck that ship", said Baji.' Just what the fuck?!? Hahahah
(hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ashleigh wrote: "

11% - Nezha's alive? Of course he's alive. I knew he would be. Is it bad that I was kinda warming up to their friendship in the first book before he was 'k..."

(view spoiler)[I totally cheered when I found out he was alive! And I would also totally highlight that quote, phahaha! (hide spoiler)]

[Ashleigh]

@Dannii (view spoiler)[It's such a ludicrous quote, that I laughed when I read it before realising it was underlined hahaha. Love a good opium trip! (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Ashleigh wrote: "@Dannii [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[There were a few moments like that throughout. I think it really helped to liven what was otherwise a political and combat dense book (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

50% (view spoiler)[ Okay, these Hesperians need to stop. The way they're treating Rin is disgusting. Jinzha also seems to be going mad, he'll be their downfall. I'm still waiting for Rin's fire to come back and for the Cike to reunite. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

77% (view spoiler)[ Okay, the Dragon's republic is basically dead! I really hope Vaisra doesn't die. I'm really glad that Rin got her fire back, and I'm interested to see where this bond with Kitay takes them. (hide spoiler)]

[✨Skye✨]

Done (view spoiler)[ WHAAAAAAT?! I'm so sad, Ramsa and Suni and Baji were some of my absolute faves and Nezha is trash now >:( I feel like Su Daji will turn up again in book 3, and I really hope Rin gets all the revenge on Vaisra and the Hesperians. (hide spoiler)]