Book Review: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (Books 1-3)

SPOILER ALERT

I usually don’t write reviews of fiction or fantasy books. But after finishing the three Poppy War books, I wanted to write down my thoughts.

I read the first Poppy War book because I saw it recommended by many people I follow online. By the middle of the second Poppy War book, I was seriously considering dropping it because the plot was becoming repetitive. Wars are always terrible, and the author seemed to be committed to transmitting that message in every page.

The characters had great potential, and the worldbuilding too. But Fang Runin (Rin), the main character, is ruthless and driven by an insatiable rage. She can rationalize any situation to justify commiting the most extreme massacres, killings and genocide. Throughout the three volumes, she never grows beyond her rage, she just becomes more efficient at justifying it.

The story starts with Rin studying to be accepted in Sinegard, the military academy, to escape from an arranged marriage. But she ends up being the slave of her rage and her need for revenge, the people who use her as a weapon, and the Phoenix god that grants her powers at the cost of insanity. Rather than becoming a leader of her people, she ends up as cruel and ruthless as the people she’s fighting with.