Average Bufph Rating: 3.7 / 5.0
R. F. Kuang
2018-05-01
One of Time Magazine’s 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time
“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
From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel and Yellowface, the brilliantly imaginative debut of R.F. Kuang: an 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.
Diving into 'The Poppy War' was like opening a Pandora's box of emotions and ethical quandaries. Kuang's depiction of a world at war, with magic woven into the fabric of society, had me hooked from the first page. The protagonist's journey is a gritty, heart-wrenching exploration of ambition, power, and the cost of war. It's a stark contrast to the more fantastical elements of some of my usual reads, grounding the narrative in a realm of harsh realities that made me ponder long after I turned the last page. The blend of traditional and modern conflict themes was both refreshing and challenging.
Kuang's fantasy novel is a gripping tale that draws parallels to the Opium Wars, set in a world where magic and militarism collide. The narrative is both a critique of imperialism and a dark coming-of-age story. The prose is sharp, and the world-building is intricate, though the darker themes may not align with all readers' tastes. Nevertheless, it is a thought-provoking read that challenges conventional fantasy tropes and offers a fresh perspective on the genre.
An intense and gripping read that blends magic with the horrors of war, The Poppy War offers a fresh take on the fantasy genre. The world-building is intricate and immersive, drawing you into a conflict that feels both epic and personal. The characters are complex and their motivations are deeply rooted in the socio-political landscape of the story. It's a compelling narrative that challenges conventional fantasy tropes and provides a thought-provoking experience.
