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A review by abby_ace_of_books
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
5.0
I thought I was mentally prepared for this book on my second read-through, but I wasn't...
The Dragon Republic is the second book in the Poppy War series, and not only does it expand worldbuilding-wise, but it also discusses new themes and introduces new characters and relationships. I honestly don't think I can rank these books because each one has things that I love.
Rin has destroyed the Federation, but now the stakes are higher than ever. The Hesperians wish to eliminate Chaos (aka shamanism), and the Dragon Warlord intends to overthrow the Empress and establish a republic. One of the things I love about this series is that you never know where it'll go next. Usually, I don't like it when I can't predict things in books, but I don't mind it here because the progression of events seems natural. The plot has plenty of twists, and there's some action dispersed throughout the book, but overall, I think it's the style and the themes that keep me enthralled.
Every single character feels complex and human. I love the evolving friendship between Rin and Kitay (more platonic friendships in fiction, please!), and I love it juxtaposed Rin's relationship with Nezha. I'm glad Venka made a reappearance (she's one of my favorites in this one). Qara and Ramsa are also favorites of mine, but Chagan grew on me a lot, and there are so many other characters that I like, too. I also like the introduction of the Hesperians and what they symbolize in terms of Chinese history.
The Dragon Republic escalates the stakes of the first Poppy War book while furthering character development and establishing new themes regarding the role of foreigners and their religions.
4.75/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To say I am angry with the end of this book is an immense understatement.
SPOILER I was so afraid that Kitay would die that I didn't even think to worry about Ramsa or Qara (two of my other favorites). And then Nezha? If he were real, he and I would no longer be on speaking terms.
At least my military history class knowledge finally came to be useful.
The Dragon Republic is the second book in the Poppy War series, and not only does it expand worldbuilding-wise, but it also discusses new themes and introduces new characters and relationships. I honestly don't think I can rank these books because each one has things that I love.
Rin has destroyed the Federation, but now the stakes are higher than ever. The Hesperians wish to eliminate Chaos (aka shamanism), and the Dragon Warlord intends to overthrow the Empress and establish a republic. One of the things I love about this series is that you never know where it'll go next. Usually, I don't like it when I can't predict things in books, but I don't mind it here because the progression of events seems natural. The plot has plenty of twists, and there's some action dispersed throughout the book, but overall, I think it's the style and the themes that keep me enthralled.
Every single character feels complex and human. I love the evolving friendship between Rin and Kitay (more platonic friendships in fiction, please!), and I love it juxtaposed Rin's relationship with Nezha. I'm glad Venka made a reappearance (she's one of my favorites in this one). Qara and Ramsa are also favorites of mine, but Chagan grew on me a lot, and there are so many other characters that I like, too. I also like the introduction of the Hesperians and what they symbolize in terms of Chinese history.
The Dragon Republic escalates the stakes of the first Poppy War book while furthering character development and establishing new themes regarding the role of foreigners and their religions.
4.75/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To say I am angry with the end of this book is an immense understatement.
SPOILER I was so afraid that Kitay would die that I didn't even think to worry about Ramsa or Qara (two of my other favorites). And then Nezha? If he were real, he and I would no longer be on speaking terms.
At least my military history class knowledge finally came to be useful.