Book Review: ‘The Poppy War’ by R.F. Kuang
Our book club pick for March was The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. It has been known that Kuang’s novels are rich with historical and political writing that become dense for some readers. This series is the best way to get to know Kuang and her style of writing.
It feels like an entry-level into her world, and hopefully, you will appreciate how talented of a writer she is. Even if it’s not your style of fantasy, there’s an appreciation for the ambition of this type of structure for a trilogy.
It’s unlike what many fantasy readers are used to, and that’s why Kuang was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in 2018 for Best Fantasy and Best Debut Author.
Maude’s Book Club has enjoyed reading The Poppy War, so join our discord to discuss it further!
Synopsis:
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.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
The Poppy War Quotes
“She squeezed her wrist, fingers closing over pale burn scars, and inhaled. Focus. In the corner, a water clock rang softly. “Begin,” said the examiner. A hundred test booklets were opened with a flapping noise, like a flock of sparrows taking off at once.”
“Well, f*** the heavenly order of things. If getting married to a gross old man was her preordained role on this earth, then Rin was determined to rewrite it.”
“We aren’t here to be sophisticated. We’re here to fuck people up.”
“What’s the worst that could happen?” “You’re so young,” he said softly. “You have no idea.”
“Amateurs obsess over strategy, Irjah had once told their class. Professionals obsess over logistics.”
“But I warn you, little warrior. The price of power is pain.”
“Kitay’s Sinegard was full of wonders, completely accessible, and crammed with things that belonged to him. Kitay’s Sinegard wasn’t terrifying, because Kitay had money. If he tripped, half the shop owners on the street would help him up, hoping for a handsome tip. If his pocket were cut, he’d go home and get another purse. Kitay could afford to be victimized by the city because he had room to fail.”
“Youth, Rin thought, was an amplification of beauty. It was a filter; it could mask what one was lacking, and enhance even the most average features. But beauty without youth was dangerous. The Empress’s beauty did not require the soft fullness of young lips, the rosy red of young cheeks, or the tenderness of young skin. This beauty cut deep, like a sharpened crystal. This beauty was immortal.”
“Power dictates acceptability,” Kitay mused. “If the capital had been built in Tikany, I’m sure we’d be running around dark as wood bark.”
“Let me be perfectly clear. There are no shamans. There are no more Speerlies. Altan is human just like the rest of you. He possesses no magic, no divine ability. He fights well because he’s been training since he could walk. Altan is the last scion of a dead race. If the Speerlies prayed to their god, it clearly didn’t save them.”
“But if the Keju had taught her anything, it was that pain was the price of success.”
“She realized, too, that she felt about praise the way that addicts felt about opium. Each time she received a fresh infusion of flattery, she could think only about how to get more of it. Achievement was a high. Failure was worse than withdrawal.”
“Supernatural is a word for anything that doesn’t fit your present understanding of the world. I need you to suspend your disbelief. I need you to simply accept that these things are possible.”
“If there is a divine creator, some ultimate moral authority, then why do bad things happen to good people? And why would this deity create people at all, since people are such imperfect beings?”
“It’s easy to be brave. Harder to know when not to fight. I’ve learned that lesson.”
Themes
Addiction
Pain for Power
Bigotry
Classism
Brutality of War
Dehumanization of the Enemy
Characters
Fang “Rin” Runin - extremely determined, ruthless war orphan that earns her way to Sinegard Academy. She is intelligent, impulsive, and is willing to do anything for power. Rin becomes a Lore student and can channel the power of the “gods” (namely the Phoenix) within her in fiery outbursts when enraged.
Chen Kitay - intelligent, cautious noble at Sinegard Academy. He is friends with Rin, has an eidetic memory, a skill for strategy, and is the son of the Defence Minister.
Jiang Ziya - chaotic, wise Lore teacher at Sinegard Academy. He tries to restrain Rin’s ambitions to keep her sane.
Yin Nezha - commanding, condescending noble at Sinegard Academy. He is a hated rival of Rin during their time at the Academy, is an excellent fighter, bullies everyone else, and is the second son of the Dragon Warlord.
Altan Trengsin - intensely quiet Speerly at Sinegard Academy. He is incredibly good at anything he puts his mind to and is the last of his kind.
bOOK cHAT: The Poppy War
Review
Is there a balance between historical fiction and fantasy?
There is a strong balance between the history of the war in The Poppy War and the tactics used by the Cike. Kuang explores the plot and politics of mid-20th century China as the conflict in the novel is centred on the Second Sino-Japanese War. However, the story can be dense because Rin’s life is altered by knowing she’s a Speerly. The first half of this novel falls into the fantasy world because of Sinegard Academy. It feels very similar to other first-year building blocks to lay the foundation. Kuang makes readers connect with Rin within seconds. If you’re a fan of historical fiction and war stories then you will find this series fascinating.
Does the story structure complement Kuang’s writing?
The story moves quickly in the first half, and once you get to the middle of the novel, the war is at the centre, with Rin harnessing her powers. Kuang fast-tracks all the Academy training, and years go by while Rin trains to be a shaman with Jiang. It is a unique way to tell this story in the first novel because there are only two other books in the series. The way Kuang builds the foundation in the first novel would warrant at least five books in this series. Yet, it worked because she does not waste a sentence with character development and has a rich understanding of the war with the gods she is building. The main issue is that it is hard to remain connected with Rin once she is with Altan. The second half feels detached from the rest as if this should be the beginning of another novel.
Is it worth starting?
Truthfully, it is hard to recommend The Poppy War. If you enjoy reading political thrillers and historical fiction, then this may be right up your alley. But if you are a hardcore fantasy reader and even dabble in a bit of romantasy, it will be hard for you to get into the first book. It feels like a long historical text with a sprinkle of fantasy. Kuang is a very talented writer, but there’s still this emptiness at the end of the book. For some reason, there’s no intrigue in wanting to know what would happen to these characters in the sequel. This is the first time I don’t feel the need to read the sequel to a series. Kuang’s writing is incredibly layered with many moving components for the world-building. However, I gave The Poppy War 4/5 stars. It was the emotional connection between the characters that was lacking for me.
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