Gritty and interesting

The characters are so well rounded, and this book doesn’t pull any punches! The story is exciting with lots of twists and turns.

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interesting but obnoxious

TLDR
I struggled to finish this book due to Rin's personality and obnoxity. But I still love it.

Detailed

I loved many parts of this book, and wish I could rate it higher. The worldbuilding is really good, and the premise of the civil war and many of the plotpoints are amazing!
HOWEVER... This might just be my own opinion, but I found the main character close to unbearable. I understand and empathises why Rin makes the decisions she does, and I know the reason why she is descending. But I found her soooooo obnoxious, selfrighteous and naive, with no real understanding of the word "Empathy". I struggled empathising with her for long parts of the book, almost feeling satisfaction when things did not go her way.
In a way, I kind of like having a flawed protagonist, and I see what the author was going for. Sadly I think that the narrator played a big part in my reason for disliking Rin as much as I did.
BUT
I... I still kind of like Rin. She is interesting, a layered character with flaws and capable. and I understand her. I can see the logical and emotional threads that guides her every decision. the author did a really good job. She reminded me a lot of Azula from Avatar the last Airbender, and also a bit of season 1 Zuko. Comparing her to them, is for the few people who have not yet see AtlA, a very high standard in my own opinion.

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3 people found this helpful

So much suffering

The author puts Rin through the wringer is this compelling follow up to The Poppy War. The campaign by the Republic smacks of the German invasion of Russia as rapid success is stalled by winter. Recommended.

Narration was good

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Wow what a ride and who to trust

This books just adds to the awesomeness and craziness of the first one. Really good continued story on from the first and a real emotional journey you go on with rin here.
Super excited for the last book and to see how this all work plays out.
Who to trust.

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Twist the knife why don't you

Making me believe in the best redemption arc, only to have it be the thing that ends everything omg. Second time in my life I was shocked by the plot twist/betrayel. I swear I didn't shed a couple tears.

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This book is AMAZING

yes, believe the hype.
book 2 is AMAZINGLY WRITTEN
can't wait to start the 3rd and the final book

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Staggeringly good fantasy

If R.F.K keeps this up, The Poppy War series will easily become one of the best fantasy series ever written. Seriously powerful storytelling. A definite must.

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Disappointed

I wanted to like this series but I couldn't. The main character just never progressed in some ways she regressed and without the side characters I would not have finished the second book. So for people who are undecided if they want to continue, don't wast your time.

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excellent sequel to the first book.

can't wait for the next book. very good sequel, very well thought out and brilliant narration

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Absolutely Incredible

The second book in the Poppy War series has more than lived up to the first. Such an incredible story and such a roller-coaster! Impossible to put down from start to finish. Once again Emily Woo Zeller did a flawless job of bringing this epic story to life, every character was diverse and engaging. Her stunning performance makes you feel every characters emotion right along with them. Absolutely incredible, a must have for any fantasy fan.

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