Book Review: The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang.

Date Read: November 1st, 2022

About the Book

An epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.

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

If you have ever heard that this book has a lot of trigger warnings, they are not wrong. These things didn’t bother me, I mean they did, but not in a triggering way. The last 150 pages are definitely brutal! However, I can appreciate that R.F. Kaung wasn’t afraid to go into the atrocities of war. Was it hard to stomach? Yes, but I think that is the point – we as readers are supposed to be uncomfortable and sickened by happens to innocent people in the midst of war. While I can never understand viewing other people as not human and inflict so much torture on them, it is also a reminder that this is still happening today in parts of the world.

I’ll admit this started out kind of slow, and it wasn’t really until Part 2 where things started to pick up. But I still enjoyed seeing Rin go through her training at Sinegard. Also does anyone picture Jiang as looking a little like Uncle Iroh from Avatar the Last Airbender?

I won’t go into too much detail, but the last 30 pages take a creepy turn, and I am curious to see how it affects the rest of the trilogy.

Overall, The Poppy War is a brutal fantasy that can be scarring to some, but I think it is necessary. It definitely does not water down the atrocities of war, and that is not a bad thing. I am looking forward to getting to the rest of the trilogy. 4/5 Stars

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.

Book Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Hello everyone,

Today’s review is on Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas.

Date Read: October 23rd, 2022

About the Book

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

My Thoughts

Alright, I finally finished my re-read of the first four books in the Throne of Glass series, at the rate I’m going I should be done with the series sometime next year. (Note from future me: I finished the series in May, and it was worth it). I’ll be honest, I kind of forgot a lot about what had happened in this book, so I am glad I re-read it. I’m probably going to go into spoilers, so you’ve been warned!

So, okay, Rowan took an oath to Aelin, does that mean they’re mates too, or is that completely different. Also, it was interesting to see the dynamics of their relationship and how much it has changed since Heir of Fire.

I feel like a lot happens in this book, especially the fall of who we were led to believe is the main mastermind behind what was happening turns out to actually be a pawn, so things are far from over as far as the Valg are concerned. I feel like there is a lot more I want to say on this, but I don’t want to give away to many spoilers.

I liked seeing Manon’s character development over the course of this installment and how she is forced to make difficult decisions. I loved how she had to fight against her beliefs, on the one hand she wants to please her grandmother, but she’s torn whether to do so at the expense of her fellow witches, and also her hatred of the Valg.

Again, a lot happens, but I also don’t want to give away too many spoilers so I am going end my thoughts here. Overall, this was a good installment in the series. 4/5 Stars.

Happy Reading,

Janelle L. C.