The Poppy War - Hardcover

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0008239800 ISBN 13: 9780008239800

Publisher: Harper-collins Publishers

Synopsis

A powerful epic fantasy novel with roots in the 20th-century history of China. Opium runs through the heart of the Nikara Empire, a constant reminder of the war with the Federation of Mugen that brought it to the empire's shores. A war that only ended thanks to three heroes - the Vipress, the Dragon Emperor and the Gatekeeper - known as the Trifecta. They were legendary figures, each bestowed with god-like powers, who united the warlords of the Empire against the Federation. Decades have passed. The Trifecta is shattered; the Dragon Emperor is dead, the Gatekeeper is missing, and the Vipress alone sits on the throne at Sinegard. Peace reigns, yet the poppy remains. War orphan Fang Runin grew up with it. Her adopted family smuggles it throughout the Rooster province, making a living on the misfortune of those addicted to its smoke. But when Rin's parents force her into an arranged marriage, Rin refuses to accept her fate and fights her way to the prestigious military academy at Sinegard. There she will learn of drug-fuelled shamanic powers thought to be myth, powers which might defeat the Federation during its third invasion. But the cost of some power is too great to pay, even if it means winning a war that threatens to destroy an entire nation.

About this title

About the Author

R. F. Kuang immigrated to the United States from Guangzhou, China in 2000. She now studies Asian history at Georgetown University, where her research focuses on Chinese military strategy, collective trauma, and war memorials. She graduated from Odyssey Writing Workshop in 2016 and attended the CSSF Novel Writing Workshop in 2017. Her debut novel, The Poppy War, is the first installment in a trilogy that grapples with drugs, shamanism, and China's bloody twentieth century.

Review

`An outstanding debut' DAILY MAIL `A book that will go down as one of the best grimdark/military fantasy debuts of all time' BOOKNEST `A masterpiece by grimdark's newest and perhaps darkest daughter' FANTASY BOOK REVIEW `A wholly unique experience' THE WASHINGTON POST `A blistering, powerful epic of war and revenge that will captivate you to the bitter end' Kameron Hurley, author of THE STARS ARE LEGION `Fresh, assured, character-driven fantasy that's choc full of magic, war, and betrayal. I loved it from start to finish' Peter Newman, author of THE VAGRANT `A powerful, emotional journey, compellingly written' Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of THE CHILDREN OF TIME `An original and engrossing tale of the coming of age of a talented young soldier amid the horrors of invasion and genocide' Anna Stephens, author of GODBLIND

Edition details

• Publisher: Harper-collins Publishers
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0008239800
• ISBN 13: 9780008239800
• Binding: Hardcover