Review: The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Title: The Poppy War
Author: R.F. Kuang
Series: The Poppy War #1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy/War
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication Date: May 1st, 2018
Edition: Kindle Edition, 544 pages
Source: Library
Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BAM

Synopsis: 

   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.

So.... this book was far darker than I had expected it to be. I was aware that it was considered GrimDark, but there's some stuff that happens that I was not expecting.

I really like Rin as a character, and her character arc is really interesting. While she grows as a person in that she starts to understand people in general better, she still harbors a lot of her ideals. This may or may not be a good thing. We'll see, I am very excited for what her journey could be in the second book.

This book has far less magic in it than I initially thought it was going to. Which is actually fine with me, it worked out in a way that made the magic, once it showed up, far more interesting. We learn about the Pantheon along with Rin before either she or readers get to truly witness the magic the Gods offer.

It is really hard for me to review this book and not spoil things. This book is one hell of a rollercoaster, it felt like the whole book was a buildup to the third act when things really start to get intense. There are several bonds Rin forms in this book, each of them different and each shape a different part of her as she grows. Her first true friendship in Kitay, the bond she has with her master Jiang, the hate to friends 'relationship' she has with Nezha, and the eventual bond she forms with Altan.

Jiang taught her how to clam her mind and open the door to the Pantheon, Altan taught her how to walk through that door and take what she needs from the Gods. Only time will tell if she took too much. 

I have the second book on hold at the library, luckily it's not that long of a wait, so I can get to it soon(ish).