The Poppy War

The Poppy War is a gripping fantasy novel that utilizes allegories of Chinese history to build an impressive story. The plot is alluring and the character development is astounding. We follow Rin, a war orphan who studies to escape from her peasant life. She arrives at a military academy where she learns about combat and strategy. During her time there, she discovers she has the ability to summon the powers of a shaman, one who communes with the gods. Before she is able to learn enough about her powers, a war begins and she is obligated to fight. This book brings its reader on a journey they could have never imagined, and that is what is so captivating about it.

While reading the book, I was absolutely captured in its beauty. The author has the ability to write with such continuous plot and description that it kept me hooked the whole time. I read the book in under 2 days after I started it. I felt that the book was dark, but within that darkness was truth, which I respected. The main character's development was, for me, like one I had never seen before. It stunned me to watch this person grow in such astonishing ways, and I would like to read the other two books in the series soon.