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The Poppy War

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What to expect

Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018

‘The best fantasy debut of 2018’ – WIRED

A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.

When Rin aced the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire – 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 had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. 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. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that 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 psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive – and that mastering these 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 Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away…

Critics Review

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‘An outstanding debut’

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n DAILY MAILn

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'Literary super-stardom doesn't seem too far out of her reach now'

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n THE HERALDn

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‘A book that will go down as one of the best grimdark/military fantasy debuts of all time’

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n BOOKNESTn

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‘A masterpiece by grimdark’s newest and perhaps darkest daughter’

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n FANTASY BOOK REVIEWn

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‘A wholly unique experience’

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n THE WASHINGTON POSTn

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‘This first book in The Poppy War trilogy won numerous debut awards when it was published in 2018, and upon reading it you quickly understand why’

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n WOMAN & HOMEn

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‘R.F. Kuang’s fresh approach to magic and hard-hitting story is a punch to the gut fantasy has needed for a long time. I can’t wait for THE DRAGON REPUBLIC’

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n Peter V. Brett, bestselling author of The Demon Cyclen

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‘Enthralling from start to finish … I thought myself prepared. I was now. R.F. Kuang’s debut is a masterful must-read, and I’ve no doubt the best is yet to come’

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n Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLDn

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‘A blistering, powerful epic of war and revenge that will captivate you to the bitter end’

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n Kameron Hurley, author of THE LIGHT BRIDAGEn

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‘Fresh, assured, character-driven fantasy that’s choc full of magic, war, and betrayal. I loved it from start to finish’

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n Peter Newman, author of THE VAGRANTn

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‘A powerful, emotional journey, compellingly written’

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n Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of THE CHILDREN OF TIMEn

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‘An original and engrossing tale of the coming of age of a talented young soldier amid the horrors of invasion and genocide’

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n Anna Stephens, author of GODBLINDn

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‘I so enjoyed The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang … It is all about survival, and how a person’s will and determination can change the course of their life. I loved the central character, felt her pain and her far-too-brief moments of joy, and just loved how Kuang breathes fresh life into the warrior training school … Highly recommended’

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n John Gwynne, author of MALICEn

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User Reviews

Book 3.7
Narration 4.3
4.0
5.0
vikette 07/10/2024
5.0
5.0
raefucella 28/01/2024
5.0
5.0
The book was excellent but the end was disappointing. The know it's a trilogy but don't think I will buy the the second book. However the narration was quite brilliant and made the book come to life.
10 out of 10
Johnboy 17/12/2023
4.0
4.0
Danielle 14/11/2023
2.0
2.0
DNF at 52% - it was boring, didn't care so much for any of the characters and the narrator annoyed me.
devo 13/10/2023
2.0
5.0
thalia 02/02/2023

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