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A review by wingreads
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
5.0
"Power means acceptability"
Rin is an orphan from the Southern Rooster territory who defied all odds to score the highest in the National Keji exams, and enrolled into Sinegrad, an elite military school for future generals. At the school, she meets highborn Northerners who have been bred for this life.
Through a mixture of desperation and chance, Rin begins her tutelage from Jiang. Jiang is the Master of Lore at Singerad, and supports Rin to become educated in the lost arts. I really enjoyed the exploration of our neuroses and how it manifests in our cultural practices.
"The creation of empire requires uniform conformity"
As the Mugen invaders advance, Rin, her fellow peers and Masters must protect Sinegard. Rin wishes to call on the Gods of the past for support, but there is always a cost and chance of irreparable damage...
There are regular scenes of fights, blood thirst... all underlying revenge themes. The war operation and fight scenes were well described and I really enjoyed seeing Rins character growth, and how she balances morality with the ultimate goal of her group.
Rf kuang has done a beautiful job of weaving Chinese mythology, geopolitical issues, the rise of dictatorship and colonialismAlthough this is full of YA, this is not a YA.
This well loved series was introduced to me in 2023....and I cannot believe I have waited until now to read this. I have bought all three books to devour.
Rin is an orphan from the Southern Rooster territory who defied all odds to score the highest in the National Keji exams, and enrolled into Sinegrad, an elite military school for future generals. At the school, she meets highborn Northerners who have been bred for this life.
Through a mixture of desperation and chance, Rin begins her tutelage from Jiang. Jiang is the Master of Lore at Singerad, and supports Rin to become educated in the lost arts. I really enjoyed the exploration of our neuroses and how it manifests in our cultural practices.
"The creation of empire requires uniform conformity"
As the Mugen invaders advance, Rin, her fellow peers and Masters must protect Sinegard. Rin wishes to call on the Gods of the past for support, but there is always a cost and chance of irreparable damage...
There are regular scenes of fights, blood thirst... all underlying revenge themes. The war operation and fight scenes were well described and I really enjoyed seeing Rins character growth, and how she balances morality with the ultimate goal of her group.
Rf kuang has done a beautiful job of weaving Chinese mythology, geopolitical issues, the rise of dictatorship and colonialismAlthough this is full of YA, this is not a YA.
This well loved series was introduced to me in 2023....and I cannot believe I have waited until now to read this. I have bought all three books to devour.