Harper Voyager
The Poppy War
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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.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9780062662569
EAN:
9780062662569
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
544
Authors:
R F Kuang
Publisher:
Harper Voyager
Published Date: 2018-01-05
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This is such a good plot and the cliff hanger 🤯. I can't wait to bunge the next 2 books.
First thing, I should have annotated The Poppy War. There was a lot of information in this book, I should have annotated, smdh. I just finished it and I loved it and I hated it all at the same time. I was excited for Rin, I was scared for her, I was angry at and for her, I was sick to my stomach during Chapter 21 . This book kept my attention and pulled me into the story so much so that I felt like I was there right beside Rin. I can't wait for my copy of the second book to come in the mail. But at the same time, I'm kinda scared to keep reading. I wish it hadn't taken me so long to finally pick this book up
A great read, a story of growth and self realization. The gods and the humans that worship them. A story of the Phoenix, can’t wait to read the next book.
Very interesting book, very light and smooth reading.For me, it's a new conception of fantasy world and heroes.I saw about this book on the YouTube RazuTales channel.
I wish I had read this sooner, why did I wait?! It’s got all the components of a great fantasy. It’s twisted, dark, brutal — a punch straight in the gut.A lot of fantasy swear by the age old formula with a noble chosen one who is morally superior to all. There’s a villain, and it’s mean, and maybe there’s an even bigger baddie controlling the villain. And maybe some of those things will still come to pass in the future books. I don’t know, I haven’t gotten that far.What I like about the Poppy War is that it is dark, gritty and certainly not straightforward. It’s like swimming through murky waters. You can’t see the direction ahead and all our (anti?)heroes can do is to pick a direction and swim. It makes for a complex story with complex characters setting out on a very questionable path. It’s interesting!The magic system and culture is also interesting, because it is based in East Asian lore rather than in Western folk stories. Overall a great read. Don’t wait like I did, read it!
