Review: the Poppy War by R. F. Kiang (Poppy War, Book 1) (L)

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.

Review: With a heavy dose of Asian Mythology (particular Chinese) this story is actually a thinly veiled fantasy retelling of the Japanese Invasion of China during the 1930s, with particular reference to the Rape of Nanking. This is not a happy book. Taking its tone from this historical era has given this book a sharp, bloody, terrible tone. There is no happy ending, no joy. In the end, the characters emerge, broken and bloody, ready to move on to the next battle. I will be reading the next book, eve as this one broke my hear.t.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN:978-0-06-266256-9
Year Published: 2018
Date Finished: 11-30-2018
Pages: 527