A review by pili87
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
War. Vengeance. Power. I love flawed characters and everyone in this book are incredibly human. The setting is unforgivingly cruel and every character reacts to the book's themes in their own way, making them heroes or monsters depending on who you ask.
Rin is HIGHLY flawed to the point you want to scream at her for being so reckless and naive but you just want her to succeed because war is terrible, you fear for everyone and you just want it to be over. No choice feels like the right one and there's a feeling of pessismism at all times.
And yet, you can't stop reading and hoping things will get better. The tone and plot for the next two books are set and I can't wait to see the world burn.
I loved this book: I loved the writting style and even though I have not fallen in love with any particular character, I cherish them all and suffer with them. The story is great, the dialogues are organic and the pacing almost always impeccable.
6/12/22: I now know what exactly has been nagging me about this book. The relationships between characters. They don't feel meaningful. They meet, learn a little about themselves and if someone dies, they grieve without any hint that they should. We are told about rivalries but behave like they have an amazing friendship. When did this happen?
2/1/23: Changing from 4.5 to 4 stars. Dragon Republic was just so good.
Rin is HIGHLY flawed to the point you want to scream at her for being so reckless and naive but you just want her to succeed because war is terrible, you fear for everyone and you just want it to be over. No choice feels like the right one and there's a feeling of pessismism at all times.
And yet, you can't stop reading and hoping things will get better. The tone and plot for the next two books are set and I can't wait to see the world burn.
I loved this book: I loved the writting style and even though I have not fallen in love with any particular character, I cherish them all and suffer with them. The story is great, the dialogues are organic and the pacing almost always impeccable.
6/12/22: I now know what exactly has been nagging me about this book. The relationships between characters. They don't feel meaningful. They meet, learn a little about themselves and if someone dies, they grieve without any hint that they should. We are told about rivalries but behave like they have an amazing friendship. When did this happen?
2/1/23: Changing from 4.5 to 4 stars. Dragon Republic was just so good.