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The Poppy War (The Poppy War #1) by R.F. Kuang

"A dark and intricate look into the repercussions of war, death and how the choices we make affect not just us, but everyone around us. This was a rough read at parts but it was all the more powerful for its ruthlessness. I'm eager to see how the rest of the series progresses."

4 Stars

Pros: Jiang's eccentricity is amusing/Just when you think the book can't get any darker, it does, Kuang didn't pull any punches. 

Cons: The members of the Cike were all different but sometimes when there's too many characters, it's tough to differentiate/Rin's choice at the end and everyone's reaction to it is understandable, but her reaction to all of them being horrified is kind of whiney. If you're going to choose what Rin did, I mean, you have to accept the consequences. 

Full Review: 

Rin, a war orphan, is determined to do anything to escape an arranged marriage to wealthy merchant that her foster parents set up. So she studies, memorizes and manages to test into the most prestigious Military Academy in Nkan, Sinegard. She goes there and is at first an outsider, spurned by teachers and students alike for her dark skin and unfamiliarity with the lessons. She eventually finds a friend in the form of the eccentric and strange Lore Master, Jiang. He's unpredictable and odd and no one takes him or the subject of Lore seriously. But when Rin passes her first year exams, she pledges Lore and begins to learn under Jiang's tutelage. He teaches her how to open her mind, gain access to the Pantheon of Gods with the use of hallucinogenic drugs and after awhile she realizes that Jiang's not insane. In fact, he's more wide awake and aware than anyone she's ever met. 

Her studies abruptly come to a halt when the neighboring island of Mugen attacks Nikan. The 12 Districts are thrust into War. Sinegard is disbanded and the students are sent to all 12 Provinces, while Rin becomes a member of the Bizarre Children, the Cike, a group of elite mercenaries who can also access the Pantheon and be given strength/speed/intelligence by calling upon the powers of the Gods. Even among the Cike she's a bit of an outcast, but she's completely loyal to Altan Trengsin, their commander who was also a student at Sinegard who studied Lore. She's seen him fight in the rings and is fascinated by his poise, grace and power and as she watches him fight against the advancing Mugen army and how easily he can call upon the power of the Vermillion Phoenix, a God she has managed to call to only twice before, her fascination only grows. 

The story follows Rin on her journey through the war with the Mugen Federation and her experiences with Altan and accessing the Pantheon of the Gods. It's a dark and intense read and Kuang doesn't pull any punches, nor should she. Though Rin's attitude at the end came off as slightly whiney, overall, it was a complex, intricate, detailed, harsh, wild read and I'm eager to see how the series progresses. 

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