The Poppy War

Title: The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Publisher: Harper Voyager

Year: 2018
Pages: 527
Series: The Poppy War #1
Genre: Fantasy

Reading Time: 2 - 14 Nov

Binding: Signed Paperback

ISBN: 9780008239848
Goodreads

Stars:
★★★★★

Blurb:

 When Rin aced the Keju, the test to find the most talented students in the Nikara Empire, it was a shock to everyone. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.

 But surprise aren't always good.

 Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power - an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teached, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive - and that mastering these powers could mean more than just surviving school.

 For while the Empire is at peace, the Federation of mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .

Review:

 Oh my, oh my oh my. Such violence.

 I remember when this first book came out that all the Facebook book groups I was a member off came out with trigger warnings for people. That piqued my interest and I knew it was probably going to be a book I enjoyed. Let me confirm some triggers I know to be obvious: self harm, drug use, abuse, sexual abuse, racism and death. Lots of death and violence. I loved it.

 The opening chapter really lets you know of the violence to come and the crude humour that's in there, it was both hilarious and shocking and I rocketed through the first half of the book where Rin trains at Sinegard. It's important to note that we travel through time quickly in this book, there is a point where years go by in a few paragraphs. You experience more than just Rin's training at Sinegard as a result.

 Rin is a wonderful young character, she's rash, determined, skilled and angry. I can totally see myself in her shoes, her journey through the book is just the beginning of what I expect we will see her go through in this trilogy. There are many other characters in this book to talk of. Nezha who defies expectations, Kitay who is the kindest of friends, Jiang the master and secret keeper, the Empress whom we still have a lot to learn of and Altan who is rumoured to be the last of his kind. You have all sorts and this is just at Sinegard! There's something to please everyone here.

 I feel there's much more of the world to explore but it has been done so well already. We are taught different views of the gods in this world, we see people of different cultures and experience the different landscapes. It's well done.

 I'm kind of annoyed at myself for not reading this sooner, but also relieved I've left it so I did not have to wait. The second book is ready on my shelves and the third book will be in my hands before the year is out. It's difficult to say much more without spoilers. I loved this, I think it's going to quickly become one of my favourite series.