The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Title: The Poppy War

Author: R.F. Kuang

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Poppy War # 1

Publication: 527 pages, May 1, 2018

Source: Personal Library

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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..

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve had The Poppy War on my TBR for years. All I ever heard were endless praises about how great this book and series were. Having read Kuang’s contemporary work and found it lacking, I had higher hopes for The Poppy War, as it seemed more aligned with my interests: history and fantasy. However, the book ultimately ended up being disappointing and a complete letdown.

First off, I want to say that this book is extremely well-written. I recall hearing that this was Kuang’s debut novel, which she wrote when she was17–19 years old (?). That’s incredible. The research and attention to detail in the characters and the world are evident. I appreciated how Kuang incorporated various branches of philosophy' metaphysics, epistemology, aesthetics, as well as religion and even more obscure or taboo topics like astral travel and psychedelics. It was fascinating to see how these elements shaped the worldbuilding and the characters’ actions.

I enjoyed the first portion of the book, following Rin’s journey from the small village of Tikany to the prestigious militia school in Sinegard. The story spans several years, and from there, we see Rin and her classmates thrust headlong into a brutal war with the Federation. Everyone knows war is gruesome, and Kuang does not hold back in depicting its horrors. The scenes are vividly detailed and graphic, so much so that I found myself questioning whether I could continue reading. At one point, I had to stop and debate whether to continue. I applaud Kuang for her ability to vividly portray the realities of war, but I have to ask: was it necessary? Many authors manage to convey brutality without delving into such explicit, detailed accounts. It felt excessive to me, perhaps intended for shock value but it ultimately made me feel sick rather than engaged.

As for the main character, Rin, I did not like her. At first, I respected her tenacity and her faith to dream big and create a better life for herself. However, as the story progressed, she became someone unrecognizable. Was this change due to the war? Probably. But the transformation wasn’t for the better. Rin has always been selfish, and even by the end, she insists she’s doing everything for her people and for those who suffered during the war but is she really? She condemned the Federation for its atrocities against innocent civilians, yet when faced with a similar choice, she committed the same horrors. What a hypocrite.

In the end, Altan chose Rin as his successor. How that happened is beyond me. She’s an immature child with no qualifications to lead. But apparently, having the power of a god overrides everything else right? This series has a lot of potential and is loved by many, but I, unfortunately, cannot tolerate the unnecessary depictions of senseless death or Rin’s character. For these reasons, I won’t be continuing the series.