The Complete Poppy War Trilogy: The Poppy War, The Dragon Republic, The Burning God

The Poppy War #1-3

by R.F. Kuang

From R. F. Kuang, the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of Babel , this collection features the novels in her historical military fantasy trilogy— The Poppy War , The Dragon Republic , and The Burning God —a complete epic inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic. The Poppy War A war orphan, Rin earned her place in Nikan’s most elite military school. There, she discovers her lethal, unearthly power of shamanism—and learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive. When an inevitable conflict arises between longtime enemies the Nikara Empire and the Federation of Mugen, Rin realizes her 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. . . The Dragon Republic After committing an atrocity in battle, shamanic warrior Rin is consumed with guilt, an opium addiction, and the murderous commands of the fiery Phoenix god. Channeling her anger against the Empress who betrayed Rin’s homeland, she chooses to join forces with the Empress’s enemy, the Dragon Warlord. But as Rin discovers the true natures of the Empress and the Dragon Warlord, the temptation to unleash the Phoenix’s fearsome power grows—and so does her vengeance. . . The Burning God After saving Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress in a brutal civil war, Rin realizes that her homeland’s real power lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation. Vowing to defeat all who threaten the shamanic arts, Rin’s power and influence grows—but so does the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it. . . “Mixing historical parallels of Chinese history, the themes of war, politics, and colonialism are balanced with terrific, flawed characters and amazing worldbuilding.”— Library Journal (starred review)

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical Fiction, High Fantasy, Historical, Adult

1872 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2021

About the author

Rebecca F. Kuang is a Marshall Scholar, translator, and award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Poppy War trilogy and Babel: An Arcane History, among others. She has an MPhil in Chinese Studies from Cambridge and an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from Oxford; she is now pursuing a PhD in East Asian Languages and Literatures at Yale.

Reviews

[Sravya · Rating 5 out of 5]

My god this was devastating.

I just finished The Burning God as I am writing this. The worst part of this series is that I knew the ending as soon as the Hesperians were introduced. I had no hope for anyone in Nikara. I'm sorta used to Kuang's style just because I've read Babel and she is ruthless. Both Babel and The Poppy War trilogy are based on Chinese colonial history and imperialism. As she writes repeatedly, history is so unbearably cyclical.

I knew the Hesperians were the only real winners just like in reality. The Western world won everything and we're left to serve and grovel. It feels inescapable.

This series is very Kuang. She writes pure unfiltered rage and it makes sense that Rin is a vessel for that. It's anger and hatred and pure carnal need to destroy and avenge. I can only imagine how cathartic this was for her to write.

I read an explanation of feminine rage recently. It's the reaction to everything that is unalterably wrong in this world. People say it's a secondhand emotion. Anger, most people assume, stems from grief, loss, or despair. It's a funnel for negativity. The explanation I read of fem rage defined anger as singular and primary, not secondhand. It is pure in its nature. I think feminine rage explains this whole series.

[syd · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think i will read anything that r f kuang writes at this point

[Thinara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rin come back to me

[dasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

My overall impression - fuck it, it was devastating.

Rin, the main character was very much likable for the first, maybe, a book and a half. I really sympathize with her. She was a strong character that would rather die than not have her way which I deeply understand. Even when she committed a whole genocide, it just made reading about her that more interesting. Then, she was a mess. She was grieving, and it felt like her actions were scattered, and she was jumping from one extreme to another. She was so easily manipulated even though most of the time it appeared that she couldn’t care less about other people, let alone ideology those people preached. In the end she fell into a complete madness. Through the whole story, she kept making choices that were chipping away from her humanity, so the last page is, there was barely some left. She became paranoid and was ready to hurt the only person she was always ready to do anything for - Kitay. but then she had a moment of self reflection. It felt like the true Rin took over and was ready to do whatever it takes to end the cycle of violence that she was born into. Of course, Kitay went with her to the end. Kitay was always a voice of sense throughout the series and there was always comfort in knowing that whatever problem they have, he will always find a way to fix it. I think out of all the character he was the one I saw myself in the most. Not because I’m such a damn genius, but because I, too, would prefer doing taxes to going into a battlefield. He was always acting with his head and not impulsiveness of his heart.
My favorite character, though was definitely Nezha. I know it’s most definitely because I have a soft spot for moody brunettes, but I feel like out of this tree he was the most complex character. He was the opposite to Rin in everything. He was a noble-born, beautiful boy, that has a family and always knew he belonged. Everything rain wanted to be. She was “unbound reckless, free”. Everything Nezha aspired to be. They were so opposite, but craved the other so badly. They were always destined to be enemies, to fight on the opposite sides, but somehow always seem to be pulled to each other like magnets.
Fire and water looked so lovely together. It was a pity they destroyed each other by nature.
Maybe that’s what love is, she thought. Finding the one person capable of utterly destroying you. Who won’t.

[india s childs · Rating 5 out of 5]

i truly loved this series, the third book was my absolute fave, but the details in this trilogy, as a whole, and the depth of every aspect reflect the true work put into each and every sentence. the metaphors and representations and ideologies in these books are truly fascinating, and i loved every second.

the depth of all the characters was so beautifully constructed. from kitays brilliant heart and mind to venkas wit and brutal honesty, i loved them all in some way or another. i am not saying i loved everything about them, or every single one of them, certainly not. more what i mean is i love how they were created, the levels of them. and to trully love a character, personally, i feel i need to be able to acknowledge their flaws. and love them despite it. it makes them real, and all the more beautiful for it.

i applaud rf kuang endlessly for her presentation of female characters. the accuracy in the portrayal of the relationships between women and amongst young girls was so perfect. in a way that could never be understood or written by a man. further, far too often, main characters, specifically girls, are boring and bland, only there so a plot can happen, rin was most certainly not this. her rage and fiery energy was something shown so so rarely in female characters, and the importance of this is often missed. female rage is often portrayed wrongly, in silent glares and lack of action, but rin and venka both trully embodied the depth of emotion and passion and action in that which is the reality of womens emotions. they should not be underestimated. dont get me wrong, i love a good metaphor. but often the message just needs to be written out in blood or singed into people foreheads in large letters, to get the message across. as a woman, topics such as rape and FGM, or even simply periods, are often hidden between the lines and meanings of books. so thank you for this, and even though centuries of speerly rage fuelled rins actions, when she murdered that hesperian, she carried the female rage of centuries of women. words hold power, and we could all feel it.

to read as the characters grow and develop throughout the books, read how they interact and how their relationships shift and change was simultaneously brilliant and devastatingly real. not just truthful in the way peoples feelings always morph through age, but also the acknowledgment of the cruelties at play in these characters situations specifically. how war and duty effect peoples lives in such a deep way. the exploration of elitism and its effects, and how arguably this sense of duty shown in these chatacters stems from that. the cruel idea of duty on so many levels. whether this was to a country or to a family, the exploration of duty and lack thereof was really interesting to me. the difficulties between rin and nezha which it provoked. the way they persieve each other because of it. and how this effected there loyalty to each other. the lives that a nationalist perspective often can take in war. linking back to the idea of elitism and how it is a sort of twisted privilege that they get to care so deeply about their country, and they only do so, because to them their country has done no wrong. but as the book progresses it shows how this is problematic as power, and lack thereof, inevitably creates corruption.

also the recurring idea that fear and love are inevitably intertwined. i could write whole essays on this idea. its pessimistic lense on love is a contrast to how it is so often romanticised, especially in books, to an extent where it no longer portrays romance. instead a morphed utopia. ill admit that this is often the point of books. but relationships and character portrayals mean a great deal to me, personally. i find the more complex the relationship, often the more interesting. this idea of the connection between love and fear reminds me of the quote “beauty is terror” from the secret history by donna tartt. that with that strong emotion there is also weakness. and this is why the ending was so perfect. it sums up the entire thing beautifully. the complexities in each of their sacrifices, made for each other or themselves. “there was no world where rin died and kitay remained alive.” and on top of that, nezha was always meant to rule. his own sacrifices for duty made his fate so true for him. and still so painful.

finally, the cruelty and unfairness of their finale was so unbelievably heartwrenching. i absolutely sobbed my heart out. i loved it. it was so beautiful and devastating and perfect. no other ending wouldve been better, despite the fact it pains me just to think of them. it was so cruelly beautiful.

[Maliha · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I have become something wonderful, she thought. I have become something terrible. Was she now a goddess or a monster? Perhaps neither. Perhaps both."

The Poppy War trilogy is a complex and compelling story that combines elements of Chinese history, culture, and mythology with high-stakes action and a cast of memorable characters. You will see awesome world-building, interesting character development, and themes of power, war, and the cost of revenge.

One aspect that sets this series apart is the way it explores the devastating effects of war on individuals and societies. The violence and brutality depicted in the books are unflinching, but also serve to highlight the consequences of the decisions made by those in power. While the series can be challenging to read at times, it is also emotionally powerful and resonant.

Highly Recommended 🔥🧡

[Yulia Kazachkova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Начинается как история а-ля Гарри Поттер, фэнтези, сильная героиня… мррр, чудесно, страницы шуршат только так.

А потом узнаешь, что образ Рин списан с Мао Цзэдуна (!), и понимаешь, что сказочный финал не гарантирован, а темы будут подниматься нешуточные. И это и хорошо, и грустно одновременно. Потому что от фэнтези хочется красоты, волшебства, духоподъемности и любви, и хотя есть честь и дружба, но когда после первой менструации единственное желание девочки удалить матку и навсегда избавиться от проблемы, мешающей тренировать воинские искусства, то шансы на диснеевскую принцессу вылетают в трубу )) Что ж, какие времена, такие и принцессы. This is a boys’ world with a girl in charge. Но пол-звезды за это снимаю, мне нужно немного другое фэнтези.

Рин впечатляет.
И все же тревожные звоночки начинают звучать довольно рано, несмотря на когнитивный диссонанс, ведь главный герой должен быть хорошим) Девчонка продала душу дьяволу, потому что морального стержня у нее не было. А кое-кто не успел, не захотел или не смог его воспитать, хотя говорит, что только этим и занимался. Тоже мне дамблдор. Да после резни в Голин-Ниис (прототип: Нанкинская резня 1937 г.) какие у нее вообще были варианты? А были: власть, месть и победа любой ценой vs. мудрость, непротивление злу насилием и вот это вот наше либеральное все) Рин — анти-герой. Но в какой-то момент понимаешь, что она просто одинокая девчонка, которая ищет одобрения, признания и власти вместо недополученной любви, и моя читательская душа все равно болит за нее. Ну и прям так уж она и исчадие ада? Так ли уж хороши её враги?

Понравилось как меняется фокус внимания и, соответственно, угол зрения на один и тот же вопрос, и по мере движения сюжета ты такой мечешься: так этот персонаж хороший или плохой? А этот? Also: will they, won’t they? ))

Это книга о жажде власти и о большой политике. В этой книге все про войну. В ней много моральных дилемм. В ней много жестокости и насилия. И мысль что зло невозможно остановить злом, ибо создается порочный круг, а месть разрушительна для мстителя.

В основе сюжета — художественная переработка японо-китайской войны 1937-1945 гг. и гражданской вой��ы в Китае. Огонь какие непростые отношения у всех стран-соседей между собой, если копнуть… И в Японии до сих пор есть место замалчиванию и переписыванию учебников истории. И Китай до сих пор проживает свои коллективные травмы. И все небелые непушистые с рыльцем в том самом.

Вторая книга интереснее первой, она более цельная, она идеальна, ну а третья сначала немного теряет в динамике, но потом уверенно идет к финалу.

Вся трилогия — прекрасное осмысление истории Китая, терапия коллективной травмы и анатомия войны в одном флаконе. Но если вы хотите привычное фэнтези или исторический роман, вам не сюда.

А название лучше бы перевели как “Маковая война”, а не Опиумная, потому что а) дословно и правильно; б) смысл сохраняется (из чего вы думаете делают опиум?); в) нет путаницы с собственно историческими опиумными войнами.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m minced

[Tè Oolong di Mezzanotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Sul blog TÈ OOLONG DI MEZZANOTTE la recensione completa~]

Mi era bastata, a suo tempo, la prima cinquantina di pagine di The Poppy War per comprendere come le atmosfere opprimenti, i personaggi rugginosi e gli scenari intrisi di cenere e sangue della trilogia fantasy (o, per essere più specifici, “military fantasy”) partorita dalla giovanissima scrittrice sinoamericana R. F. Kuang sarebbero rimasti con me fino a molto, molto tempo dopo la conclusione della lettura. E, poco più tardi, mi era bastato un rapidissimo giro fra Instagram e vari blog letterari di mia conoscenza per capire come, purtroppo, non sarei mai stata in grado di cimentarmi in una qualche analisi originale – o, quantomeno, all’altezza di certe eccellenti disamine di carattere storico – di quest’epopea già così discussa ed esplorata in ogni suo aspetto.
Ho riflettuto parecchio, dunque, in merito a cosa poter dire, a proposito di questo titolo, che non fosse già stato ripetuto in lungo e in largo… e, alla fine, ho deciso di legare l’articolo che sarei andata a scrivere a esperienze e a percezioni quanto più personali possibile: nello specifico, agli assunti relativi al lavoro della Kuang (e diffusisi in gran parte delle recensioni a esso dedicate) che erano quasi riusciti o a farmi desistere dall’iniziare a leggerlo o, in alternativa, a farmene coltivare un’opinione sensibilmente fallata. Nasce, così, questa sorta di tutto ciò che credevo di sapere su The Poppy War prima di avventurarmi effettivamente fra le sue pagine… “sorta di” privo, va da sé, di qualsiasi pretesa di oggettività o di considerazioni che vadano oltre il contrasto colto fra ciò di cui pensavo-di-essere-al-corrente e ciò che mi sono ritrovata, con mia sorpresa, a scoprire...



1. LA SCRITTURA DELLA KUANG È AFFETTA DA UN SENTIMENTO ANTI-GIAPPONESE TROPPO MARCATO

Fino a poche pagine dall’epilogo del primo volume, certamente sì (anche se io toglierei quel “troppo” e lascerei il solo “marcato”). Gli eventi storici rievocati – e messi in scena con una spietatezza a dir poco memorabile – nella seconda metà di The Poppy War, dopotutto, ruotano intorno allo sconvolgente episodio dello stupro di Nanjing: difficile, nel frangente, sia offrire dell’esercito mugenese/giapponese un’immagine meno che ferina sia, soprattutto, ritrarre la prospettiva del popolo aggredito in termini estranei al terrore tipicamente provato al cospetto non tanto di esseri umani crudeli quanto, piuttosto, di creature mostruose.
È sufficiente, però, giungere alla fine del libro e poi immergersi nell’arricchimento dell’affresco bellico promosso da The Dragon Republic per realizzare come, in realtà, l’obiettivo della Kuang sia quello d’introdurre i germi della violenza, della tendenza a un’irrazionale autoassoluzione rispetto alle atrocità commesse e dell’incapacità di provare compassione per il prossimo nei panni, in effetti, di mali connaturati a tutti i popoli del mondo… mali lasciati liberi di manifestarsi in circostanze e in momenti diversi, magari, e con conseguenze di portata variabile a seconda del potenziale offensivo del paese che ne è affetto, ma mai completamente sopiti in alcuno di essi. Assistiamo così all’innarestabile fiorire di tradimenti e di episodi di corruzione che caratterizza l’intera classe dirigente di Nikara/della Cina, banalmente arrivista nei giorni migliori e odiosamente paternalistica e xenofoba nei peggiori; percepiamo con crescente inquietudine la sicurezza riposta dagli esperiani/occidentali nella propria, presunta, superiorità morale e intellettuale rispetto ai nikariani, la religiosità bigotta e incline a nient’altro che alla soppressione del diverso che ne guida le azioni; esitiamo di fronte alla furia omicida degli orfani di Speer/Taiwan, certamente giustificabili nella sete di vendetta da cui sono animati ma, per forza di cose, tutt’altro che passibili di perdono per gli eccidi di cui continuano imperterriti a macchiarsi; e ci poniamo più di una domanda, infine, a proposito degli abitanti delle Hinterlands/della Mongolia, le cui faide interne e i cui segreti atavici difficilmente potrebbero restituirci l’idea di una pur difficile convivenza fra popolazioni pacifiche.
La condanna universale dell’autrice, insomma, inizia sì a tessere la propria tela a partire dalla stigmatizzazione degli eccidi compiuti dal Giappone nel contesto della Seconda Guerra Mondiale (o, per meglio dire, del suo equivalente letterario), ma si guarda bene sia dall’arrestarsi ad essa sia, soprattutto, dal dimenticarsi di tratteggiare il medesimo paese come vittima della barbarie altrui, quando effettivamente “meritevole” di essere identificato come tale. Questo perché, in un mondo in cui a cambiare sono, di volta in volta, soltanto i nomi e il colore della pelle di schiavisti malamente camuffati da liberatori o, addirittura, da eroi!, l’unica comprensione e l’unico amore che è possibile dispensare sono quelli per alcune anime coraggiose, leali (o forse no) alle più diverse bandiere, e non per una qualsiasi bandiera in sé.



2. IL ROMANTICISMO È ASSENTE

Decisamente falso. A meno che, per essere definita tale, la componente romantica di un’opera non necessiti di costituire almeno il 50% della stessa e/o di giocare un ruolo fondamentale ai fini della risoluzione del suo intreccio… cosa che, no, qui chiaramente non ha luogo.
Il rapporto di – è il caso di dirlo – Amore e Morte che lega i personaggi di Rin e Nezha, tuttavia, non solo finisce con l’acquisire sempre più spazio con il progressivo dipanarsi della trama, ma si dimostra anche a dir poco cristallino nel presentare quella metà di “amore” in vesti genuinamente sentimentali e nient’affatto platoniche; e questo ben prima della pubblicazione di The Drowning Faith, raccolta di racconti brevi filtrati dal punto di vista di un Nezha palesemente innamorato di Rin. Allo stesso modo, l’insistenza sulla natura romantica di ciò che Chaghan provava nei confronti di Altan e, perché no, i numerosi ammiccamenti alla possibilità che fra i due ragazzi fosse germogliata una vera e propria relazione vantavano, francamente, un’indiscutibile dignità narrativa anche prima che la Kuang stessa, in un’intervista, ne confermasse intenti e validità.
La trilogia di The Poppy War, nel suo complesso, avrebbe potuto portare a casa il risultato anche in assenza delle sfumature in questione? Molto probabilmente sì. Ma ha comunque deciso, scientemente, di non farne a meno.



3. RIN È UN’EROINA CON CUI RISULTA IMPOSSIBILE EMPATIZZARE

Dipende da cosa si ricerchi nella protagonista di un romanzo – in generale e, a maggior ragione, nello specifico ambito di un grimdark fantasy come quello in oggetto. Se, infatti, nel parlare di “eroine con cui entrare in risonanza”, il pensiero va alla stessa categoria di personaggi femminili a cui appartengono, giusto per fare qualche esempio, la Clary di The Mortal Instruments o la Xingyin di Daughter of the Moon Goddess, allora sì, presumo riesca difficile mettersi nei panni della rancorosa, brutale e, talvolta, perfino sadica Rin: nulla, non a caso, ha quest’ultima a che vedere con quelle figure dalle individualità rese appositamente incolori e generiche proprio per permettere a ogni lettrice, qualunque sia il suo bagaglio emotivo, di riflettervisi.
Rin è una persona la cui concezione di giustizia passa attraverso il cruento massacro d’innocenti. Una persona che non conosce altro mezzo, per convivere con il ricordo delle proprie colpe, se non il ricorso alle droghe. Una persona talmente accecata dalla rabbia da finire per ripetere, spesso e volentieri, errori già risultatile quasi fatali. Una persona, infine, dichiaratamente intesa dalla Kuang come un alter ego fantastico di Mao Tse-tung. Pressoché impossibile, dunque, direi, riuscire ad apprezzarla in quanto anima affine o, in alternativa, in quanto proiezione ideale di se stessi; molto più facile, invece, credo, imparare ad amarla in virtù dell’efficacia, anche sgradevole, del ritratto che la sua vicenda propone delle deformazioni a cui un animo pericolosamente testardo, certo, ma comunque retto e generoso può andare incontro, se sottoposto a un vortice di abusi indicibili, una volta piazzato su un trono di potere e ritrovatosi nella condizione di poter restituire i “favori” ricevuti.
Si ama, Rin, se si ama, per l’intensità vantata dalla sua parabola di sofferenza e per l’acume con cui essa viene gestita, dall’inizio alla fine. E, secondo me, ogni oncia di quell’amore è meritata.



…
… e questo credo sia tutto… ?
O, perlomeno, è il riassunto di quella rete di fraintendimenti che ha influenzato, in corso di lettura, la mia iniziale interpretazione del – mi azzardo a dire – capolavoro della Kuang. Il che, ovviamente, non esclude che a essere fuori fuoco sia, invece, proprio la mia attuale decodificazione dello stesso e che quelli da me definiti “fraintendimenti” siano indovinate deduzioni ><

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is peak fiction. I have too many thoughts to fit here but for starters I have never met such an infuriating yet somehow lovable main character. She’s seriously OP yet so flawed and human? The amount of mistakes and poor decisions she made had me so frustrated, but I couldn’t hate her if I wanted to.

(Respect to Kitay for having infinite patience and unconditional love for her because WOW.)

((I NEED a novel from the big three’s perspective.))

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

low-key traumatising but also low-key the greatest series I have ever read. so well researched, with excellent plot, prose and dialogue.

[Kendall Snee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploring the Depths of Humanity in "The Poppy War"

"The Poppy War" by R.F. Kuang is a gripping exploration of the human condition amidst the chaos of war and the complexities of morality. Kuang deftly navigates through themes of dehumanization, revenge, and the intricate layers of human nature. One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is the author's profound examination of what it takes to dehumanize a group of people to the extent where committing atrocities against them becomes justifiable in the eyes of the perpetrators.

Kuang doesn't shy away from the brutality and horrors of war, instead, she delves deep into the psyche of her characters, exposing the moral dilemmas they face and the consequences of their actions. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, Kuang forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of conflict and the thin line between righteousness and ruthlessness.

Central to the narrative is the character of Rin, a protagonist whose complexity knows no bounds. Rin's journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with her own identity, beliefs, and the dark allure of power.As Rin navigates the treacherous waters of war and politics, her decisions and actions resonate with profound realism, showcasing Kuang's skill at crafting authentic and multi-dimensional characters.

Moreover, "The Poppy War" masterfully portrays the cycle of violence and how acts of aggression can breed further retaliation. Kuang skillfully illustrates how once a line is crossed, it becomes increasingly blurred, leading to a relentless cycle of retribution and suffering. Through intricate world-building and meticulous attention to detail, Kuang constructs a narrative that feels both immersive and thought-provoking, challenging readers to confront the darker aspects of human nature.

[Jarene Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horrifying

[Jimena Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Therapy bills will be forwarded to R.F. Kuang for writing these books and Briella for making me read them

[Jess Vanchoui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fully expected this to be 5⭐️ reads… it was really good, but didn’t quite live up to my expectations, nor were these books my favourite reads. the writing was great, the story was fascinating, there were enough characters with interesting arcs… but something was missing for me. Not sure what. Perhaps the relationships between characters wasn’t deep enough for me to get fully invested. And I loved how broken and complicated the MC was, but still something was amiss for me.

This was an easy series to pick up to read, but also easy to put down, and despite only being 15h of reading time took me over 20 days to complete - soooo much longer than normal for me. Can’t seem to give half stars so I gave it 4, but I would prob give it 3.5.

[Kayla Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Poppy War trilogy by R.F. Kuang is an extraordinary and compelling masterpiece that takes readers on a harrowing journey through the complexities of war, power, and the human spirit. From the very first page of The Poppy War to the final moments of The Burning God, Kuang weaves a captivating narrative that grips your heart and mind, refusing to let go until the last word.

The first book, The Poppy War, introduces us to the tenacious Rin, a young orphan girl from the Rooster Province who manages to secure a place at the prestigious Sinegard military academy. The author's portrayal of Rin's transformation from a struggling student to a formidable warrior is truly awe-inspiring. Kuang's ability to capture the essence of war and its devastating consequences is both shocking and thought-provoking, making this first installment an unputdownable experience.

In The Dragon Republic, the second book of the trilogy, we follow Rin's journey as she becomes a key player in the rebellion against the vicious Empress. This installment delves deeper into the darker aspects of power and politics, forcing Rin and her companions to confront moral dilemmas that test the boundaries of their loyalty and values. Kuang's world-building continues to shine, immersing readers in a vivid and richly detailed land inspired by Chinese history and mythology.

The Burning God, the highly anticipated conclusion to the trilogy, is an emotional rollercoaster that leaves readers breathless and emotionally spent. Kuang masterfully ties up loose ends while delivering a gut-wrenching exploration of the true cost of war and the extent to which power can corrupt even the noblest hearts. The character development throughout the trilogy is exceptional, especially in Rin, who evolves from a fierce survivor to a complex and multifaceted protagonist.

R.F. Kuang's writing style is nothing short of brilliant. She effortlessly blends action, politics, and emotion into a seamless narrative that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Moreover, the thought-provoking themes of addiction, sacrifice, and the human capacity for darkness linger long after the trilogy's final pages.

As much as I loved this trilogy, I have reserved a star due to the emotionally heavy content and the sometimes graphic depictions of violence. While these elements serve the story's purpose and make it more realistic, they may not be suitable for all readers.

In conclusion, The Poppy War trilogy is a powerful and unforgettable saga that should be experienced by any fantasy enthusiast. R.F. Kuang's exceptional storytelling and profound exploration of war's impact on individuals and society have left an indelible mark on the genre. If you are prepared to embark on a dark and thought-provoking journey, brace yourself for an unforgettable adventure with Rin and her unforgettable tale.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t read the third book yet but I am preemptively putting this trilogy on my favorites shelf. I really can’t stop thinking about it! I know the third book is going to be a gut wrenching, heart breaking, all around crazy ride and I cannot wait!

[El Trillium · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lovedddd this series. It was the perfect mix of fantasy and reality. The fantasy elements reminded me of ATLA or LOK which are some of my favorite shows, but The Poppy War series also dealt with devastating realities. The elements of war were brutal but were written with insight from true history. The most moving truth for me was the idea that love existed within such cruel parameters, but it didn’t change anything. It didn’t save anyone, but it mattered.

I also thought these books were extremely well written. It does a great job of zooming in and out of focus, going from a broad understanding of the world and then dialing in to a close up view of the main characters thoughts and actions. It also handles time effortlessly, seeing as the series takes course over about 5 years. The author jumps a year in one sentence, but then slows time down with descriptions on the most important events. The author writes an extremely complex female main character. You might love her or hate her or both, but you can understand her and how she got to be. One thing I wanted to see more of was focus on some of the other characters, not only seeing more of their development but also wish I could have seen more of how they all interact with each other. It doesn’t necessarily take away from the book, but it was something that left me wanting more! The series also plants a lot of foreshadowing that led me to guess the ending, but not in a predictable way. More like, this has to happen, but it can’t… and then it does.

This series was so fun, but also so serious. It talked about the universe, war, colonization and more in a philosophical and intellectual way. I wouldn’t recommend the series to anyone who reads fantasy for romance, but as someone who genuinely enjoys fantasy plots and world-building- this is as good as it gets.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This trilogy is nothing short of extraordinary. What makes The Poppy War series stand out, beyond its brilliant world-building and relentless pacing, is how unapologetically complex and morally grey it is. The scope of the conflict is overwhelming, and the consequences are real—brutal, even—but never gratuitous. R. F. Kuang crafts a narrative that blurs the line between heroism and destruction, where no character is wholly good or evil, and every decision is tangled in pain, trauma, power, and survival.

From the very first book, I was completely hooked. The mythology and political depth pulled me in, and the emotional intensity never let up. Each book raises the stakes in a way that feels earned and purposeful. I never felt safe as a reader—plot twists hit hard, characters suffer, and no moment is wasted. And yet, in the middle of all the war and magic and betrayal, there are threads of intimacy, hope, found family, and even dark humour that make the world feel so real.

Rin is one of the most compelling protagonists I have ever read. Her internal struggles—her rage, her naivety, her guilt, her drive—are portrayed with such raw, visceral clarity that I could not look away. Her arc is not comfortable, and it is not meant to be. But it is unforgettable. Kuang’s decision to keep the entire story grounded in Rin’s single POV is a masterstroke; it makes every moral dilemma, every moment of pain, every small flicker of hope hit with maximum impact.

By the end of The Burning God, I was left in awe. This series is emotionally shattering in the best way. It does not offer easy answers, and it does not pretend there are any. It is about power and what it costs. It is about history and who writes it. It is about survival, and what we lose to achieve it.

The Poppy War trilogy is devastating, brilliant, and completely unforgettable. I will be thinking about these books—and this heroine—for a long, long time.

[mollie ♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

every book was like so close to five but i couldnt quite do it - the trilogy as a WHOLE though is a well deserved 5 stars

i have officially read every single book that r f kuang has written and she has taken me on a JOURNEY. i would appreciate a receipt if she wrote it. what i appreciate most abour her writing, especially in the poppy war trilogy, is that she makes you think. like she makes you question everything you think you knew about yourself - your morals, what you consider to be right and wrong. my heart has just been ripped out of my chest stomped on spat on and then stomped on some more like you dont get it bro!!
the poppy war, i think, could be enjoyed by a bunch of different types of readers: i, personally, am not a crazy fan of fantasy, but i still absolutely adored this trilogy, and i think that’s due to the fact that kuang both subtly and brutally incorporates historical events into her writing and DOESNT SUGARCOAT IT i am so sick of authors sugarcoating events in history that theyre retelling!! those are real people and they suffered!! genuinely, theres something for so many types of readers in the poppy war trilogy, whether you enjoy military fiction, whether you enjoy historical fiction, fantasy, or just read for angst (which you will absoluuuuutely find i have no doubt)

okay i dont want to spoil anything in this but just know my life has been changed - and, as weve been so unabashedly, cruelly reminded of: history moves in such vicious circles.

[Alleeah · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a whole this series was good, but I wish I would have never read it. So many parts were drawn out to the point where I felt like I was one of the people of the South tired and exhausted just wanting it to be over. All that text for it to end basically how it started is truly diabolical. I get war is a bunch of small battles that make huge impacts but great tortoise did we have to go through each one. Rin literally died how she lived, impulsive, short sited, and in rage. But in the end the best thing she could do for her people and that world was to die just sad she took Kitya with her. If you like unending battles with mostly the same results then this series is for you.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing this because Krista cares about the reviews.

Absolutely astonishing that she started this when she was 19 years old. Highly articulate and great character development. You find yourself rooting for sides of humanity you wouldn’t normally vote for. The descriptive imagery is on point. I felt like I was in every battle. Highly recommend if you are in for a journey. It is a long series so don’t start this if you just need a short read on an airplane. Get in it for the long run and enjoy the imagery, war, relationships, and the reality of what power does to us.

[Jos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una de mis nuevas trilogías favoritas, jamás superaré esta historia. Amo mucho a Rin, Nezha y Kitay.

1. The Poppy War - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The Dragon Republic - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2.5. The Drowning Faith - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
3. The Burning God - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Jakub Brudny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mid. Po prostu mid, świetny świat przedstawiony i ciekawa magia bóstw, barwne postaci i całkiem klimatyczna pierwsza część, ale poza tym napisane bardzo bardzo BARDZO nierówno i chaotycznie, a do tego jest to nieco za bardzo po stronie "i tak wiem co się stanie...", a za mało po stronie "...ale i tak chce zobaczyć jak do tego dojdzie!".

[Kara Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
Gripping from the first chapter to the end, this trilogy is a must read.

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good trilogy and would 100% recommend this to any fantasy lovers out there!

[maya &#x1f496;&#x1f9e1;&#x1f90d;]

9.5/10 overall
very good read
ik that doesn’t work average wise buttt it all makes sense together

[Selena Calleri · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many unexpected turns - especially the first book had me hooked! can only recommend but be prepared for an intense ride

[Layla (Sirius’ version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES.

[Peyton Whittington · Rating 4 out of 5]

chef's kiss