POPPY WAR, THE Paperback

"The Poppy War" by R.F. Kuang is a brutal and unflinching epic fantasy novel that draws heavily from the darkest periods of 20th-century Chinese history, particularly the Second Sino-Japanese War. It follows the journey of Fang Runin (Rin), a war orphan who, against all odds, aces the Imperial examination to gain entry into the elite Sinegard military academy. There, she discovers a powerful and nearly mythical aptitude for shamanism, connecting with ancient, vengeful gods. As a devastating war erupts, Rin is thrust into the horrors of conflict, where she must grapple with her newfound powers, moral compromises, and the brutal realities of genocide and human cruelty, all while striving to survive and possibly save her people, even if it means sacrificing her own humanity.