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The Poppy War
- The Poppy War, Book 1
- Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
- Length: 18 hrs and 57 mins
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The Poppy War
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Summary
Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018
‘The best fantasy debut of 2018’ – WIRED
A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.
When Rin aced the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire – 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 had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. 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. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that 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 psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive – and that mastering these 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 Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away…
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Critic reviews
"A blistering, powerful epic of war and revenge that will captivate you to the bitter end." (Kameron Hurley, author of The Stars Are Legion)
"A thrilling, action-packed fantasy of gods and mythology...The ambitious heroine’s rise from poverty to ruthless military commander makes for a gripping read, and I eagerly await the next installment." (Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns)
"In The Poppy War, R.F. Kuang draws on history and myth to tell a relentlessly unforgiving story of war, vengeance, power and madness, with larger-than-life characters that evoke sympathy and rouse terror. Brace yourself." (Fonda Lee, award-winning author of The Green Bone Saga)
What listeners say about The Poppy War
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Aimee R
- 23-03-21
The characters lack consistency and depth
There are quite a few reasons I enjoyed this book. The world building was interesting, the protagonist starts as a strong female with skill and determination and I felt as though I may have actually learned about warfare. However, as the book progresses I find the Rin get weaker and weaker. In the early days she is capable of making drastic decisions, big leaps of faith and shows so much perseverance at any cost. As I came to the half way mark I found myself exhausted by her constant self doubt, feeling sorry for herself and not standing up for people around her. How had she come so far pushing her limits and thinking for herself only to be made into a whiney mess?
Other characters also didn't feel too fleshed out. It felt like as soon as they gained enough 'screen time' to be memorable they were only introduced back into the story at random and short intervals, never really interacting with Rin though she is the only perspective we see.
Again though, I enjoyed the picture painted for me in terms of the world building. I just wish Rin had kept her (for lack of a better word) fiery personality
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Patrick Harwood
- 16-12-20
not my cup of tea
Good story just not my preference. Pace really drags in the middle. Don't remember any content warning. diffinately needs one.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- lloydy272
- 19-11-21
A fantastic and gripping story
I cannot wait to listen to the he sequel, this was a brilliant and gripping story with interesting characters and world.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Charlotte
- 07-12-20
Great story but couldn't finish
The Poppy War is a fantastic story which I've read before but was looking forward to listening to whilstbdoing other thibgs but I cannot stand the narrator, os much so that I was unable to even reach the end of the first chapter. Such a shame and a.waste of money.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Kindle Customer
- 13-04-23
Good story but a bit ridiculous
Great concept but goes a bit ridiculous towards the end. however I was hooked!
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Wolf
- 26-05-24
Disappointing
No idea why this is so popular. It’s a high school drama more than anything and the main character has all the sense of a teenage boy.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Yoshio_Kh
- 18-09-24
Man, this was AMAZING
First of all thank Emily for the amazing outstanding narration you did an wonderful job doing it. thank you
second of all this book live up to the hype that people did for it, seriously this book is so good and whatever people telling you about it to read it, it's true.
JUST GET IT.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Rikke
- 10-12-21
God story but very lacking
the story is generally good, and just the kind of story i like! However, it lacks a lot of detail, and sometimes I couldn't help but think that it lacked reasoning for what they did.
The main character isn't very likeable - she is too rushed and lack thoughts behind her actions. It's the writer's first book, and you can clearly feel that, even with the prices it has gotten.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- moira
- 12-08-21
Excellent
I loved this book and have already bought book 2 which I am going to start right now. Happy days
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- David Foster
- 11-01-22
Great setting, great cast.
A fantastic take on fantasy politics in a vibrant yet gritty setting.
Arguably the most compelling lead characters I have come across in a fantasy setting.
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