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abby_ace_of_books 's review for:
The Poppy War
by R.F. Kuang
If you only read one high fantasy book in your life, let it be this one.
The Poppy War is the first book in what has to be one of the most well-written fantasy series I've ever read. It still holds up on a fourth read-through because not only is the writing style beautiful, but the content is just so heavy and yet so well-handled. That being said, be sure to check content warnings before you read. The themes are dealt with very well, and this is a story with a message to tell.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm amazed by how much plot can be packed into one book. I can't say much without spoiling anything, but the sheer expanse of the narrative amazes me every time. The Sinegard section is probably my favorite "entertainment-wise," although the ending sequence is also incredibly powerful. Not to mention the pain this book manages to convey (and I know the series only hurts more in the next few books).
And the characters. They're so complex, and I love all of them in their own ways. The characters' dynamics with each other never cease to delight me. Rin is probably one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. Kitay is my favorite character (he's literally me), but I love the other Sinegard characters, too. I really like Nezha and Venka's character arcs. Altan is so complex and his backstory makes me cry almost every time I read this. I also really like Ramsa, Qara, and Chaghan.
The Poppy War is the first book in one of my favorite fantasy series of all time, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
4.75/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the third time I've read this book and I think it gets better every time I read it.
Usually I hate super reckless protagonists who let their anger get the best of them, but Rin is one of the few exceptions. She is one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. The entire cast of characters is complex and (for the most part) lovable too.
Anyone looking for a well-written fantasy series that manages to pack so much action into one book (SPOILER: a few years of studying, three years of school, a battle, a siege, a cross-country trip, imprisonment, escape, etc ) should check out The Poppy War .
The Poppy War is the first book in what has to be one of the most well-written fantasy series I've ever read. It still holds up on a fourth read-through because not only is the writing style beautiful, but the content is just so heavy and yet so well-handled. That being said, be sure to check content warnings before you read. The themes are dealt with very well, and this is a story with a message to tell.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I'm amazed by how much plot can be packed into one book. I can't say much without spoiling anything, but the sheer expanse of the narrative amazes me every time. The Sinegard section is probably my favorite "entertainment-wise," although the ending sequence is also incredibly powerful. Not to mention the pain this book manages to convey (and I know the series only hurts more in the next few books).
And the characters. They're so complex, and I love all of them in their own ways. The characters' dynamics with each other never cease to delight me. Rin is probably one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. Kitay is my favorite character (he's literally me), but I love the other Sinegard characters, too. I really like Nezha and Venka's character arcs. Altan is so complex and his backstory makes me cry almost every time I read this. I also really like Ramsa, Qara, and Chaghan.
The Poppy War is the first book in one of my favorite fantasy series of all time, and I highly recommend it to everyone.
4.75/5
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is the third time I've read this book and I think it gets better every time I read it.
Usually I hate super reckless protagonists who let their anger get the best of them, but Rin is one of the few exceptions. She is one of my favorite female protagonists of all time. The entire cast of characters is complex and (for the most part) lovable too.
Anyone looking for a well-written fantasy series that manages to pack so much action into one book (SPOILER: a few years of studying, three years of school, a battle, a siege, a cross-country trip, imprisonment, escape, etc ) should check out The Poppy War .