nini_w's review against another edition
4.0
It starts out like your typical YA. The first part of the book focused on Fang Runin’s journey to get into her country’s most prestigious academy and the subsequent struggles she faced fitting in with all the affluent northern kids in a classist environment.
Then it gets dark. The intensity of the second half of the book completely floored me and it still wasn’t compared to the final part.
All in all, it was a really fun read.
Then it gets dark. The intensity of the second half of the book completely floored me and it still wasn’t compared to the final part.
All in all, it was a really fun read.
owlbear425's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
candypop's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rach_reads_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Genocide, Emotional abuse, Murder, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Death, Child death, Addiction, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Grief, and Drug abuse
aislingat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
oatsandtotes's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. The book made me feel soo many things so strongly, god lord. It managed to make me feel such anger that honestly, I couldn 't even be mad about some of the 'morally questionable' decisions that were made. You really do understand most of the characters and their motives.
An issue I have with some fantasy novels is that I feel like they glorify war and violence a little bit, not really showing how horrific it is. The book definitely showed us the horrors of war. With my (limited) history knowledge I could see some of the story's inspirations and they were just as awful as I remembered.
The book really does a good job at discussing colonialism, genocide, racism etc. It was also refreshing to read a fantasy book based on Asian history, as opposed to European. I thought the explanations of shamanism, the gods, enlightment etc. were all really well done.
I'm excited to read the next book, although I'm gonna take a break with some fluffy romance novels so I don't get bogged down lol
An issue I have with some fantasy novels is that I feel like they glorify war and violence a little bit, not really showing how horrific it is. The book definitely showed us the horrors of war. With my (limited) history knowledge I could see some of the story's inspirations and they were just as awful as I remembered.
The book really does a good job at discussing colonialism, genocide, racism etc. It was also refreshing to read a fantasy book based on Asian history, as opposed to European. I thought the explanations of shamanism, the gods, enlightment etc. were all really well done.
I'm excited to read the next book, although I'm gonna take a break with some fluffy romance novels so I don't get bogged down lol
cameo1's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sillypunk's review against another edition
2.0
Pretty disappointing, not sure why this has made so many best of lists: https://blogendorff.com/2019/12/25/book-review-the-poppy-war/
mckellstar's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 Wow. Stunning. This book took me on an epic journey that I don’t think I’m going to forget anytime soon!
The world was so detailed and complex and felt so terrifyingly (and, at the same time, beautifully) real. The characters were all extremely fleshed out; each person had their own wants and needs and the stakes were always SO HIGH.
I need to process a bit more before I say anything further, but I think this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
The world was so detailed and complex and felt so terrifyingly (and, at the same time, beautifully) real. The characters were all extremely fleshed out; each person had their own wants and needs and the stakes were always SO HIGH.
I need to process a bit more before I say anything further, but I think this is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.