Review: The Poppy War - Rebecca Kuang

The Poppy War is a New Adult marvel. It's an ambitious, historical analogue with key real-world themes, incredible representation and excellent fantasy storytelling.

When I was told this book was 'grimdark', I was sceptical, as I hadn't seen many books so firmly in the YA wheelhouse that were upsettingly dark. For most of the book, the story didn't live up to the terribleness I'd read about in reviews, as the book read no darker than the average YA evil empire title. But Poppy War's darkness sneak up on you.

I feel like this grimdark aspect had struck a poor chord with many readers, and I was very shaken by the nauseatingly blunt evil of the book too, but I feel like The Poppy War has more of a right to depicting abuse and sadistic violence than its YA contemporaries so intent on using those elements for shock value. The Poppy War's historical analogies with the second Sino-Japanese war are vital. Britain isn't the only country with a morally despicable imperialist history that they refuse to confront, and when the ugly spots of history aren't taught in schools it's up to artists to do the work.

I probably would have given The Poppy War five stars if it didn't commit itself to illustrating such sickening evil I had to skim the page, but that doesn't make the book crude and reprehensible.

The Poppy War's likeable cast, fantastic characterisation, and great action is what makes it a brilliant book, but it's refusal to shy away from the ugliness of its source material is what make it something brave.

The Poppy War leaves me truly shaken, and upsettingly aware of the basis behind East Asian relations, and, selfishly, I can't help but hope Rebecca writes SFF in a lighter vein in the future. Her writing is incredible, but I'm not sure how much more of her grimdark I can take.