The Poppy War reviews

The Poppy War blends Chinese history and mythology into a brutal coming of age story. I really wanted to like this more, and I feel the pieces were there, it just didn't draw me in like I thought it would.

I feel like I never really got to know the characters, they all felt like background noise with no real personality, characteristics or story of their own. I found the magic system a little confusing and unclear and the world building just sort of flat. The pacing felt sort of weird, it started and ended very strong, and then throughout the middle it went from fairly slow military academy tones to full-blown warfare in like a chapter.

Despite all this the overall idea of the story was great, I really loved the concept, which is why I am so disappointed. It is a bold and thought-provoking read that talks about the cost of ambition and power.

I am very much a minority in this rating, so if the premise caught your eye, I would still say to give it a go. I think one day I might try re-reading this or just picking up the second one.

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