What I Didn't Expect from 'The Poppy War'!

Are you ready to dive into a world where survival hinges on the brutal realities of war?

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang is not your typical fantasy novel; it’s a gripping tale of a war orphan named Rin, who rises from a life of poverty to face the horrors of the Third Poppy War. This coming-of-age story is deeply rooted in the Chinese history of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

If you appreciate stories that explore the complexities of war, personal growth, and the psychological impact of violence, then this book is for you. Kuang’s vivid writing immerses you in the action while providing a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of conflict. You'll find yourself questioning morality and the cost of power as Rin navigates through her harrowing journey.

Prepare for an unforgettable reading experience and check out The Poppy War. Ensure you’re ready for its intense and graphic depictions, as this book is meant for mature readers.

The Poppy War

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Book Details and Content

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What is The Poppy War About?

Fang Runin also known as Rin, is a strong-willed girl who grew up as a war orphan in the poor southern part of the Nikara Empire. She dreams of a better future and hopes to attend Sinegard Academy, a prestigious school. The story is set in a world shaped by conflict and draws inspiration from real events, like the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Rin’s journey illustrates the harsh realities of war and what it means to survive. At Sinegard, she faces many obstacles, such as studying hard to keep up with her classmates, dealing with prejudice because of her dark skin, and experiencing bullying. Despite these challenges, Rin refuses to give up and fights to find her place in a world that doesn’t always welcome her.

Things take a dramatic turn when Rin discovers that she has special powers linked to the Phoenix God. While these new abilities make her stronger, they also bring new dangers, especially as tensions rise between the Nikara Empire and the Hesperians, another powerful group. Rin is forced to confront tough moral decisions and understand what true victory costs.

The Poppy War explores important themes like colonization, the impact of trauma, and the realities of war, showing how these experiences can deeply affect people and communities. Rin's story is not just an exciting adventure; it also encourages readers to think about power, ethics, and personal growth while navigating difficult choices. The book invites us to reflect on the harsh truths of conflict and its lasting effects.

My Spoiler-free review

What stood out to me was how deep and thoughtful the book is. R.F. Kuang combines themes of power, morality, and personal growth in a way that made me think a lot about the impact of war. Rin, the main character, shows incredible strength when facing huge challenges. Her time at the elite Sinegard Academy highlights issues like class differences and the tough road to achieving your dreams.

I was impressed by how the book built up tension and led to a shocking ending. I started reading it without knowing much about the plot, which made the surprises and emotions even more powerful. By the end, I was completely hooked.

While I admire Kuang's creativity, I found the way Rin gains her powers through shamanism and psychoactive substances to be a bit much. I see what the author was trying to show, but it took my attention away from the main story at times. As for the ending, I was disappointed not because it was poorly written, but because it didn't match what I hoped would happen for Rin. I hope that her character develops in a different light in the next books of the series.

My Overall Thoughts

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang is not an easy fantasy book to read. As I followed Rin’s story, it became clear that this book is quite intense. It deals with heavy topics like trauma, colonization, and identity with honesty and depth. If you're sensitive to issues like violence and harsh treatment, it might be a good idea to check for your triggers before diving into this book.

What I Liked: What makes The Poppy War stand out from other books is its amazing depth. R.F. Kuang skillfully combines themes of power, right and wrong, and personal growth, making a story that made me think deeply about the effects of war. Rin, the main character, is more than just a figure in a tale; she represents strength in the face of great challenges. Her time at the exclusive Sinegard Academy highlights the barriers created by class differences, racism, and the tough road to reaching one’s dreams.

One of the things that impressed me the most was the growing tension that led to a thrilling climax. I started this book without knowing much about it, and I believe that was the best way to read it. The unexpected turns and the raw emotions in certain parts made for a reading experience that will stay with me for a long time.

By the time I reached Part 3, I was completely hooked and couldn’t stop reading as the stakes became even higher. The emotional depth of the story was very real, leading to a conclusion I never saw coming. The unpredictability of the story reminded me that, in war—and life—outcomes can often surprise us.

What I Disliked: One aspect of Rin's story that didn’t sit well with me was the use of shamanistic powers, especially how they were tied to psychedelic drugs. Since her journey was already dark, having her abilities come from such a sinister source felt unnecessary and pulled me out of the story. It took away from the realness of her journey, especially near the end. This has led me to discontinue the series because of my convictions as a Christian.

While the twist was interesting, I had hoped Rin would grow into more of a traditional hero, facing challenges without being pulled into darker forces. This left me feeling a bit uncertain and disappointed. Still, I understand why her path went this way and hope the next books will show her in a different light.

Would I recommend it as a Christian?

No, I wouldn’t recommend The Poppy War for a few reasons. But let me preface this by saying that although I would not recommend I still enjoyed the book. I gave it 5 stars after all. The focus here is my convictions. The book has a lot of violence, war, and even genocide, described in graphic detail. It also focuses heavily on shamanism and using drugs to unlock supernatural powers, which felt too dark and unsettling, even borderline demonic. These themes don’t align with Christian beliefs about where real strength comes from and what’s right and wrong. While the story is gripping and well-written, the spiritual and moral content just didn’t sit right with me.

I decided to read it only because I’d heard a lot of good things about its deep themes of power, identity, and war. I understand why the author wrote with such graphic detail—it’s war, after all, and she’s reflecting the brutality of it. However, I felt she could’ve conveyed the same powerful message and explored those deep themes without so much graphic content. The story was well-written, but I was uncomfortable with the way certain elements were portrayed.

Detailed Summary

Fang Runin, an orphan from a small village in Nikara, fears being married off to a rich merchant by her foster parents. To escape this fate, she studied hard for two years to pass a big Empire-wide test that could earn her a full scholarship to Sinegard Academy, a military school. Rin surprises everyone by getting into Sinegard, leaving her village behind.

At Sinegard, Rin faces more discrimination because of her low birth and dark skin, as most talented youth come from wealthy families. She makes one friend, Kitay, and starts a rivalry with Yin Nezha, the Dragon Warlord’s son. Her fight with Nezha leads to her being kicked out of Combat class, as the instructor believes students from lower classes shouldn’t be at the academy.

Rin trains on her own using martial arts books she finds in the library. Master Jiang notices her and agrees to teach her. As Rin becomes skilled, Jiang insists she should focus on Lore, which she is initially reluctant about but later sees as her path to great power. During the Trials, Rin accidentally calls upon a god, the Vermilion Phoenix, and Jiang helps her control this power. Rin decides to pledge to Lore and pursue the path of a shaman.

War breaks out when the Federation of Mugen attacks Nikara. The students at Sinegard are drafted, and Rin and Jiang reveal their shamanistic powers to save the academy. Rin is then sent to the Cike division under the command of Altan Trengsin, a former Sinegard student and the last of a powerful race called the Speerly. Altan tries to teach Rin to control the Phoenix while they defend Khurdalain from the Federation. Rin befriends Nezha, but he is captured during a gas attack.

When the Cike learn that the Federation is heading to Golyn Niis, they find it devastated. Altan plans to free the shamans from Chuluu Korikh to create a powerful army, but they realize the shamans have lost their humanity. Feylen, one of the shamans, escapes.

Rin and Altan are captured by the Federation and drugged with opium. While drugged, Altan helps Rin have a vision of Speer’s past, and she receives the blessing of its ghosts. They manage to escape, but Altan sacrifices himself so Rin can swim to the Island of Speer.

On Speer, Rin makes a deal with the Phoenix to destroy the Federation of Mugen. She burns with the Phoenix’s fire and wakes up on a ship with Kitay, who tells her she has destroyed the Mugenese islands by triggering a volcano. Kitay is horrified, but Rin feels little remorse, believing it was necessary to save Nikara.

Chaghan and Qara, who were on a mission to flood a part of Nikara, joined Rin. In the end, Rin realizes that shamans can shape their destinies and decides to use her powers to bring down her remaining enemies.

Conclusion

Although I didn't fully agree with some parts of the story, especially the magic system—which I find a bit troubling due to my Christian beliefs—I still found the story very engaging. Kuang does a great job of exploring how war affects people and changes them. It made me think about how literature can reflect the complicated nature of human experiences, even when some themes clash with my values.

While I've decided not to continue with the series, I can't ignore how well Kuang captures the emotional journeys of her characters. The moral challenges, sacrifices, and resilience shown in the story resonate and emphasize the deep effects of war on individuals and society as a whole.

Thanks for reading!