Anyone else read this? Started book one today. Synopsis Spoiler 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.
About 40% into book one. This is a good book so far. It’s a little formulaic, but idc, I’m enjoying it
Started reading yesterday and I’m burning through it. Agree it’s a bit formulaic but I’m enjoying it Through Part 1 Spoiler I’m liking it but there’s a lot of dues ex machina going on. She wanted badly to get into the academy to avoid being married off. She’s in now. Now she’s power hungry but doesn’t really have any motivation for why. She also gets infatuated at first sight. First w Atlan. Ok that makes sense. He’s handsome and the best fighter. But also she sees the Empress in person and she’s immediately taken by her swearing fealty and swearing to fight for her. Why? Those are my two lingering questions/ thoughts.
Through Ch 21 Spoiler I was a little meh on this for the first two parts. Formulaic young adult book w about a low born orphan rising to be a great warrior. She goes to an academy, finds her potential, is whiny and indignant, I think there's a budding will they / wont they romance w Atlan... meh It is and probably will be all those things, but goddam at the battle scenes and the aftermath. Cutting out the fetus of the pregnant woman before they raped her was pretty damn graphic. Def not young adult
My understand is that high fantasy takes place on a mythical planet/ setting. By that definition it is , but the locations are pretty much stand ins for China and Japan ramping up to the Sino-Japanese war I’m 90% through the first book. Started slow, felt pretty basic, but the second half is really good.
The author is Chinese-American, went to Oxford on a Marshall scholarship and studied Chinese Studies, and is currently a PhD student at Yale. So she’s infused a lot of Chinese history and culture into the story, though it has a lot of western elements as well. I’d definitely call it high fantasy though. But it doesn’t follow the traditional knights and castles European tropes.
Also, I finished book two, The Dragon Republic, a month or so ago and I really liked it. Thought it was better than The Poppy War. The third was just released this year and the reviews I’ve seen have been pretty good. Haven’t started it yet though.
I’ll finish Poppy War tonight or tomorrow morning before football. My goal is to finish the trilogy and the 2nd Rage of Dragons book to finish the year. If you like poppy war, check out Rage of Dragons. Similar themes (so far) in a mythical west African setting.
Finished Poppy War - 7.5 /10 Spoiler Liked it. Interested to see where this goes. It’s an odd read for me because I absolutely hate the protagonist. Rin is annoying AF. She’s impulsive, easily manipulated, indignant. I’m not rooting for her but I’m intrigued where the story goes. There’s no one really to root for. If Kitay ever dies, and I’m sure he will at some point, she’ll be even worse. He’s her moral compass.
That’s basically what I thought too and pretty sure it was the author’s intention. I won’t say anymore but I did like book 2 more
Through Part 1 of The Dragon Republic Spoiler I’m liking this one a lot better. Rin is still annoying but this civil war has me intrigued. She’s getting pulled on so many directions, her whint-ness is more justified. Also - saw news this morning the series got picked up to be a TV show. So that’s cool
Dragon Republic through Ch 21 I’m really liking this book. Spoiler Just met the Sorqan Sira. I’m intrigued.
These books are roughly following 20th Century Chinese History. Federation is Japan. Hesperians are Western Colonizers. Hinterlanders are Mongolians. I think Daji is the last Emperor of China, Viasara is Chiang Kai Shek. Is Rin setting up to be Mao? Starting the Burning God now
Finished. I’d give the whole series an 8.5/10. It was a great series and unlike anything I’ve read, although I’m not a big fantasy reader. Spoiler I’m having a hard time describing how I feel. It was an enthralling read, but not an enjoyable one? There were no good guys. Except for maybe Kitay? I love there was no happy ending and she took the time to show the fallout from civil war on the people. Rin is so frustrating. I still was never really rooting for her. Turns out she was a little like Mao like I predicted, but gave up the power. Kuong is only 25. How impressive to pull this out so young.
Fineshed her newest book last night. Babel. She is an incredible author to put out these bangers, and being so young