Great but very dark

So first I thought this was going to shape up like a Hogwarts-esque training camp before some run of the mill battles against the federation. But it gets v nasty and grim on many levels. It was a great story, and I do feel somewhat upbeat at the end, but seriously. Some nasty stuff gets described imo. But definitely feels very original and fresh and different.

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3 people found this helpful

School, genocide, and tripping balls. An odd combo

Books like this: Book of the Ancestor, Bloody Rose, Mistborn

TLDR: The story of a young woman forced to come to grips with her powers and the darkness of human nature in an original fantasy world set within an Asian analogue. A novel magic system and dark deeds make this a unique read that hits a lot of points that most fantasy novels seem to miss.

Now I nearly didn’t give this book the chance it deserved. I’ve been spoiled recently by finding a series that was so good that I blasted through ten books in the space of 6 weeks. So fast, in fact, that I never actually had time to write a single review for any of them. So, when I stood atop the mighty pedestal that I had placed that series upon (Spellmonger, by Terry Mancour) and stared down upon my next target, my judgement was always going to be a little harsh. That said, even with my opinion bar forcibly lowered to a more reasonable level, The Poppy war still got off to a bit of a slow start for me. It certainly wasn’t a bad start and it was very well written, but I nearly stopped after the first twenty minutes like I have with the two previous audiobooks that I had started that week. However, I carried on, and I’m glad that I did, because once you give it a little time, The Poppy war becomes a very good listen/read.
A single female perspective fantasy novel set in an analogue of medieval china. Already this book is a bit different to anything else I’ve listened to lately. The shift of perspective to an Asian culture and away from the usual European backdrop that most fantasy novels follows was genuinely refreshing. It was novel, something that I struggle to find in books these days after tearing through so many in the genre. Although I didn’t bond with the main character at first, before too long I was subconsciously rooting for her far more than I thought I would, which to me shows a brilliantly written character. I can’t say that there were many other characters for which I developed the same level of attachment, but they were all presented well and most certainly had enough depth to them to remain entertaining.
The world within which the book is set is well thought out with a great backstory that is entirely believable. I didn’t just see the land as a stage upon which the character act but more a canvas upon which the story itself was painted. It can sometimes get a little too specific about certain aspects and at other times gloss over areas that I would love to hear more about, but overall, the universe the book creates is sound. The magic system as well is fairly original, with the very few magic users in the world, and those that can use magic being primarily dependant on psychedelic drugs to induce their powers. I like this a lot. It’s both unique and rooted in real-world shamanism, though it doesn’t really explain a whole lot about the specific powers people have. They simply have abilities without going into how they work. They just work by magic, leading me to the first of my issues. There are certain aspects of the magic system that make the shamans completely OP, to the point where I’m thinking that they likely would have done some serious damage the people, ecosystems, and even underlying geology of their entire continent before the events of the books. Its not like their ultra-powers haven’t existed before the events of the books, and yet only in this book are they used with such catastrophic consequences in situations that surely would have arisen before to some degree. It soils the otherwise very grounded nature of the novel and left me constantly asking why this hadn’t become an issue in the thousand years that the main nation had existed prior to the book.
My second issue is that at times (one time in particular) there is illogically senseless levels of violence carried out. Now, one of the greatest aspects of this book is that it takes a much more rounded view of the consequences of war by concentrating quite heavily on the plight of the civilians that get caught up in the wake of a major and brutal conflict. This is a brilliant angle to play and something that I believe needs to be done more both as a literary technique and to make readers and listeners actually think a bit more about the true consequences of war, not just the sword flashing and heroics of our protagonists. That said, there is one point in particular where the ‘bad guys’ do something so heinous that it just doesn’t make sense. These guys are portrayed as Uber-Nazi’s in their belief that they are a superior race (though to be more accurate it may be more Imperial Japan-like considering the context), but they commit such barbaric acts at times that I simply can’t take the book seriously. It’s like R.F Kuang was trying so hard to show us that these guys are truly evil that she pushed their atrocities beyond the realistic, beyond even the obscene, and the effect is to have them ending up straight in the realms of ridiculous. What was worse was that it didn’t make listening to their descriptions any easier. I’m the first to say that I’m a bit of a gore fiend and it takes a damned lot to make me say ‘wow there, calm down,’ but this just went a little to far. I can quite happily accept that such horrible things get carried out when they serve a purpose: slaughtering people to save food in a siege, executing civilians in horrific manners as part of a concerted terror campaign to demoralise the enemy, murdering thousands in the most brutal fashion because their fear and pain is used to fuel some macabre device. Those are three very believable reasons for such horrors that I thought of just off the top of my head. However, in this case I simply cannot see the reason why such a well-trained military force would take so much time from their hectic invasion schedule to partake in such blood-chilling atrocities when simply killing those same people quickly and efficiently would have made far more strategic sense. If there was an actual reason for those horrible acts that is made apparent in later books, it could really do with being shown earlier.
Beyond those little nit-picky faults that I just had to vent, I enjoyed the book. I’m not rushing to listen to the second, but I certainly will do at some point in the near future.
As for the narration, a good performance. Emily Woo Zeller’s portrayals of the wide range of characters was brilliant, and in particular her conveying of the deep emotional strife that runs through the latter half of the book for many of the characters was wonderful.

Personal score: 3.5 stars
Professional score: 3.75 stars

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1 person found this helpful

The HunterXHunter of Young Adult

A well narrated adaption of a stunning book. Uses clichés to create false security. Stunning

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Different

This book is totally different to any I've read or listened to before. It carries you away into a fantastical story you could not imagine anyone could dream about, let alone write!
There is an awful lot of very well discribed violence but this is really a part of this story. The main character Rin, is arrogant and obnoxious but you soon realise that these characteristics are essential for her survival.
I need a break between this and reading book 2 but I'm also looking forward to being taken into a story that isn't real yet can still be related in in many ways.

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Just… wow

If you think you know which way this book will turn I can tell you right now you’re wrong, This book is not for the faint of heart this book is not for someone who is easily triggered,
This is a book however for those people who are wanting something different something to tease their interest. I have listened to and read a lot of fancy books however I’ve never come across something quite like this, There are similarities for sure With Patrick Rothfuss being one of them. I am Dad this book will take you on twists and turns you wouldn’t expect and if I could give it more than a 10 out of 10 I would this book has left me reeling for days. The narration is outstanding. Enjoy

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Good but not good enough

I thought the story was a good one just not good enough for me personally to commit to two more books.

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Well that was intense.

Rapid Review
A very intense fantasy that does not pull punches. It is a close examination on the effects of war both national and personal. A new and interesting direction for fantasy. Probably wouldn’t recommend to someone new to fantasy, but would definitely recommend to a fantasy fan who is looking for something different.

Rambling Review
Well this was brave. If nothing else R. F. Kuang has shaken up the fantasy community. The first half of this book seems to be fairly standard, tropy fantasy that I believe most people will enjoy. All good so far. Then war hits. And hits hard.
The violence is pretty bad but I wouldn’t say it is worse than many other fantasy novels. The main difference is with scale. I have listened to fantasies with graphic combat sequences, such as Joe Abercrombie. I have listened to the brutal tactical battles of Brian Staveley. But I don’t think anything has felt more real than the Poppy War. The consequence of war are stripped bare in some ways that can be difficult to read.
One reason for this is the historical parallels with the real world. Feuding War lords, technologically superior nations, hell how many wars have been fought for control of opium. Where many authors create a deep vibrant world by creating fantasy adaptations of real world things, Kuang just directly inserts history, objects, and substances to create a connection with the reader. There are even huge uses of magic where you don’t need to look hard for the real world inspiration.
Another reason for the realism of the Poppy War is that there are no heros. The moral greyscale is blurred to the point where there are times that you don’t want the main character to succeed. Most fantasy conveys a sense of ‘this guys is right’ even if it is just through sentence phrasing. Kuang doesn’t. She lays out decisions, flaws and atrocities and leaves it up to you how to take them.
Sort of leading on from that. The main character, Rin. Hard working, resilient orphan transformed into a merciless rage filled soldier. As said before the start is pretty standard. However, Rin then goes through an intense character change as a result of the people and events around her. I think what Kunag wanted to do was look at how war has an effect at the national and personal level, and what she does with Rin is quite a bold move in my opinion. I will say through-out most of the book I didn’t like Rin. I was always rooting for her to make certain choices and grow as a character. And she did develop, just not always in the way I wanted. This sounds very negative but actually I think it is one of the things that makes this book stand out and makes it great to listen too. It does not do what the reader wants. It goes where it would go. This is basically why I would recommend it to a seasoned fantasy fan. It isn’t an easy book to listen too, but I do think it is one of the best fantasies in my library.

Nattering on Narration
Emily Woo Zeller is a good narrator in my opinion. She embodies Rin well and delivers scenes and emotions well. Some of her character voices are a little shrill and it took me by surprise at times when wearing headphones. Occasionally some of the characters did come across as quite whiny, but I think that was a choice that fitted even though it grated at times. For me the narration helped enforced some of the more intense emotional effects of the circumstances. In short, not my favourite narration, but one that worked well.

Quick aside. At the time of this review I have already finished Book 2 (the Dragon Republic). Some of the things I have said were taking this into account. The themes and characters arcs started in book one are continued and developed really well. I think that the books are better appreciated together and am really looking forward to the final instalment.

Conclusion
This was a hard book to listen to. The strong parallels with real world events made it really hard hitting. Rin has some great development that is taken in some interesting directions that were not necessarily enjoyable, but certainly made it original. I would definitely recommend this to a fantasy fan who is looking for a different take on the genre.

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9 people found this helpful

Did not enjoy Emily Woo Zeller's narration.

Starts enjoyably, you build an affinity and love for Rin very quickly and you find yourself rooting for her very quickly. It is well written and has you on the edge of your seat in the early parts of the story. Unfortunately by the end Rin has become a thoroughly unmoral, unbalanced and dislikable character and I found myself not really caring what happened to her, I just wanted to get to the end so it was over. No real balance to the book.

I also found the use of expletives unnecessary at times, everyone loves a good expletive but often they felt out of place and not within keeping with the rest of the text. Some of the graphic scenes are also very uncomfortable, it was not really necessary to go into so much detail, (you will know the part when you get there) less is more at times.

My biggest gripe however was with the narration. Many of her male character voices made me laugh out loud they were so awful, think your Mum doing silly voices for the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk when you were 3. Her female voices become so sqweeky and shill at times I had to turn the volume down until she had stopped, literally nails down a blackboard.

Shame as it started so well.

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5 people found this helpful

Great book

Loved it. This is the kind of book that immediately grabbed my attention and kept it. Well worth it if you like this theme. There is some inconsitency between the tough culture and some acts of insubordination that kind of stood out to me as something that would not have happended that way. But even with that, a must read. Its nice and dark

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The Poppy War

I tried to read this in 2020 and it ended up in my DNF pile. Usually, that would be the end of it. I rarely go back and try to read it again. But I kept hearing so many peoples’ praise for it that I just had to give this novel another go and I'm glad I did.

This is a wonderfully crafted novel. The characters are all well written and although Rin can and does come across as annoying sometimes I thoroughly enjoyed my time with it. The world building will leave everyone satisfied. I really enjoyed the mythology as well. I‘m looking forward to the other two parts in this trilogy.

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