The Poppy War is a new fantasy novel written by RF Kuang. During the First World War, red poppies were among the first plants to spring up in the devastated battlefields of northern France and Belgium. Readers’ questions about The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1). The Poppy War takes one look at the tropes that make up standard high fantasy and sets fire to them. Brutal story. For Rin, an undersized orphan, the thought of communing with the gods is terrifying. She burns with the fire of the Phoenix before she is able to crawl onto the beach of Speer. 46 questions answered. Jiang disappears and Rin is shipped off the Cike division in order to protect her from the infighting of the Twelve Warlords. PLEASE DO NOT READ THESE POSTS UNTIL YOU HAVE FINISHED READING THE POPPY WAR. Excellent writing. The Poppy War 2 is already my most anticipated novel of 2019, and I can’t wait for the day I get to pick it up and have my heart destroyed once more. Harper Voyager, 2019. The Poppy War is the debut novel of R.F. After World War I, the poppy flourished in Europe. Aside from Rin, there is a host of intriguing characters populating The Poppy War. She practices in the empty courtyard that was supposed to be used for the students’ Lore class but that none of the other students ever visited after their Lore Master reused to show up for any of their classes. Summary: First of a fantasy trilogy, focuses on an orphan woman, Rin, who escapes from her village by testing into a military academy, overcomes prejudice, only to discover disturbing powers that reveal her true identity, thrusting her into life-changing choices as war breaks out between Nikan and the Federation. It starts off quite lightly with a heroine that is easy to root for in the beginning. But when she passes the mandated tests of the Empire and earns her place in the most elite military school in Nikan, she learns that rising to the top doesn’t make the water in the barrel any less murky. The summary still contains mentions of these triggers (specifically: death, violence, torture, massacre, rape, physical and mental abuse, drug use and abuse), but not in the detail that they are described in the chapter. A military fantasy where the atmosphere inspired by Song Dynasty and the conflict in the book based on The Second Sino-Japanese War, you can be sure that this book won't be an easy one. The Poppy War exemplifies why SFF as a genre excel at starting difficult conversations about the issues in our world. ( Log Out / Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The Poppy War. Here’s a list of content warnings: self-harm and suicide, violent rape including the rape of minors, sexual assault, murder, genocide, massacres, torture, mutilation, brutalisation, drug abuse and addiction, emotional abuse, physical abuse, relationship abuse, human experimentation. 4,623 ratings The Poppy War Publisher's Summary A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s 20th century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N. K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy. May 01, 2018 In Nikan, opium opens the gateway to the gods. I’ve always wanted to learn more about Chinese mythology. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I thought the unflinching inclusion of these brutalities in the story was necessary, and would highly recommend you read the author’s own take on it. This book sounds amazing! The Remembrance Day symbolism of the poppy started with a poem written by a World War I brigade surgeon who was struck by the sight of the red flowers growing on a ravaged battlefield. R. F. Kuang; Emily Woo Zeller; Fantasy, Fiction & Literature, Historical, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy; 18 h 58 min; HarperAudio; 2018-05-01; Summary: An AudioFile Newspaper Best Audiobook of 2018! She studies for two years for an Empire-wide test that will allow her to leave her village on a full scholarship to a military academy called Sinegard. The Poppy War Summary The Poppy War (The Poppy War, Book 1) by R.F. I completely missed this dedication on my first read through of the novel, … Rin does meet one friend, a boy named Kitay, and they develop a close friendship. , Thanks so much for the heads up on the content warnings and for the chapter summary. TV series based on Rebecca F. Kuang's series of fantasy novels Plot Summary + Chapters Summary and Analysis Part One: Chapters 1 - 5 Part One: Chapters 6 - 9 Part Two: Chapters 10 - 14 Part Two: Chapters 15 - 20 Part Three: Chapters 21 - 23 Part Three: Chapters 24 - 26 Free Quiz Characters Symbols and Symbolism Settings Themes and Motifs Styles Quotes. The Poppy War: A Novel Audiobook (Free) Download for Free. Dedication: This is for Iris. Of course, Rin and Nezha have crushes on each other but both of them are too stubborn to admit it so instead they constantly bicker despite the fact that they are close friends. Kuang. If you’ve seen my activity across social media in the past weeks, it’s no secret that The Poppy War is one of my favourite books of 2018. The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Kuang, R. F. The Poppy War. Firstly, the ableism in one scene – where someone comments that a character would be better off dead than disabled. After, Rin pledges Lore and commits to the path that will make her a shaman and give her access to untold power. Rin receives the blessing of the ghosts of Speer and when they come out of their drugged state, she manages to call down the Phoenix and orchestrate an escape for both her and Altan. In soldiers' folklore, the vivid red of the poppy came from … During one of her practices, Master Jiang interrupts her and agrees to teach her the subjects that she needs to pass the Trials. A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China's twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic. Chapters 1-2: Current Page; Chapter 3; Content Warning of Chapters 1-2: self-harm, allusion to sexual assault, drug addiction and drug use, death, hit-and-run accident. Thanks for visiting! ( Log Out / The Federation marches on Sinegard and the students are all drafted into the war. I spent every waking moment I had free today reading The Burning God and wow- I sobbed at the ending. However, there are a couple of things I would love to see explored in future books. It’s one I have to be mentally prepared for because it sounds like it gets dark but the story itself sounds awesome. Bleh, I’m glad to have advance notice about the ableism — I’m so tired of that trope occurring in book after movie after book. The book is inspired by modern Chinese history, particularly touching on the Second Sino-Japanese war and the Nanjing Massacre. While on Speer, Rin discovers the underground temple of the Phoenix and makes a bargain with the Phoenix in order to wipe out the entire Federation of Mugen. 46 questions answered. The Poppy War has some of my favourite elements of fantasy fiction – schools, political intrigue, battle and forgotten magic. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. She is terrified of being married off to an old, rich merchant by her foster parents so she concocts a plan that will allow her to leave her small village. In a fantasy genre filled with Chosen Ones with preordained destiny, Rin stands out by using sheer grit and determination to dictate her own fate. Three days later, she awakens on a ship that is being sailed by the Cike. Jiang tries to encourage balance within her, but Rin is committed to tipping the scales of power in her favor. However, when they arrive at Chuluu Korikh, the pair realize the error of their plan and that those within the mountain are vessels for their gods and have lost their humanity. The Poppy War, R. F. Kuang.New York: Harper Collins, 2018. Altan and Rin are drugged with opium and taken to the testing facility that Altan was imprisoned in as a child. And while a lot of people are complacent to start their lives, several are aware that a Third Poppy Battle is a spark away . As Rin becomes more proficient in the martial arts, Jiang insists that she pledge Lore as not even the famed fifth year Altan had picked up training as fast as she has. Fang Runin is a war orphan from a small country village in the southern part of Nikara. Kuang’s extraordinary debut novel The Poppy War, Rin discovers that a day might come when she has no choice. R. F. Kuang Writing Styles in The Poppy War. Readers’ questions about The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1). The Flanders poppy has long been a part of Remembrance Day, the ritual that marks the Armistice of 11 November 1918, and is also increasingly being used as part of Anzac Day observances. Advertisement. Kuang Review by Chris Pickens. It was released on 6 August 2019. Rin’s shamanic powers may be … Order our The Poppy War Study Guide. A look into the lives of Rin, Kitay, Venka, and Nezha, four roommates at Sinegard University. help you understand the book. The Poppy War is set in ancient China, but the plotline takes inspiration from history, specifically the Second-Sino Japanese War in Book 1 and the Chinese Civil War in Books 2 and 3. At the end of the novel, Rin realizes that she and other shamans make their own destiny and their choices are not controlled by the gods. I’ll be adding this one to my TBR list! But as the drums of war begin to beat in R.F. It’s one I will definitely be buying when I’m prepared for it (maybe closer to the release of the next book in the series, I’m terrible with long waits). The Poppy War is a searing and blood-soaked military fantasy that will carve itself into the reader with every word. Kuang Gods, magic, and war. It sounds so intense though and I’ll have to be careful with all the triggers so I need to make sure I’m in a good place mentally when I start this one. R. F. Kuang. Sinegard almost falls, if not for Jiang and Rin exposing their shamanistic powers. As the book documents a period of several years, we are privy to the development of several characters throughout their Sinegard schooling and beyond. During the siege, Rin is no closer to calling upon the Phoenix at will but she does make a new friend. 3 16 0 Summary “I have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt that [Kuang’s] name will be up there with the likes of Robin Hobb and N.K. Jump to Related Content ↓ Advertisement. everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Poppy War. Chaghan and Qara then board the ship, as they had been sent on a mission by Altan to destroy a dam in the northern part of Nikan, thereby flooding the plain below and killing thousands as well. I haven’t read nearly enough secondary world fantasy that draws on non-European settings, so this looks awesome. Chapter One. A Collection Journal, Paste Publication, and ENTROPY Best Books of 2018 go with! I am still left reeling by this book, the fate of its characters, the scope of its world. These scenes are harrowing to read, and I felt physically ill at one point – so I highly recommend that all readers take care before diving into the novel. Book: The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1) by R.F. Confined to their Pantheon in the spirit realm, they can only hope to influence the choices of those on earth with whispered promises through the haze of pipe smoke. Kuang Release Date: May 1, 2018 My Rating: 5 stars Rep: ownvoices Chinese-inspired world and characters CW: rape, genocide, war crimes, sexual assault, drug use Summary: When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies,… Kuang and draws inspiration from Chinese history, myth, and wuxia martial stories. Jump to Related Content ↓ Advertisement. View all posts by aentee @ read at midnight. 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