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ISBN: 9780062662590

Content: " A Best of May Science Fiction and Fantasy pick by Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Audible, The Verge, SyFy Wire, and KirkusI have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt that [Kuang's] name will be up there with the likes of Robin Hobb and N.K. Jemisin. —,Booknest A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China's twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu's Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin's Inheritance Trilogy. When Rin aced the Keju—,he Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—,t was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn't believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating,to Rin's guardians, who believed they'd finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise,and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—,he most elite military school in Nikan—,as even more surprising. But surprises aren't always good. Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—,n aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—,nd that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school. For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . Rin's shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . and that it may already be too late. "

Content: Rezension(1): "R.F. Kuang studies modern Chinese history. She has a BA from Georgetown University and is currently a graduate student in the United Kingdom on a Marshall Scholarship. The Poppy War is her debut novel." Rezension(2): "B&, Sci-fi and Fantasy Blog:I have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt that [Kuang's] name will be up there with the likes of Robin Hobb and N.K. Jemisin." Rezension(3): "Julie C. Dao, author of Forest of a Thousand Lanterns:The year's best debut buzz around this one was warranted,it really is that good." Rezension(4): "Kameron Hurley, author of The Stars are Legion:A thrilling, action-packed fantasy of gods and mythology...The ambitious heroine's rise from poverty to ruthless military commander makes for a gripping read, and I eagerly await the next installment." Rezension(5): "Fonda Lee, award-winning author of The Green Bone Saga:A blistering, powerful epic of war and revenge that will captivate you to the bitter end." Rezension(6): "Peng Shepherd, author of The Book of M:In The Poppy War , RF Kuang draws on history and myth to tell a relentlessly unforgiving story of war, vengeance, power and madness, with larger-than-life characters that evoke sympathy and rouse terror. Brace yourself." Rezension(7): "Anna Stephens, author of Godblind:Battles. Bloodshed. Drugs. Amazing, amazing characters. Read it!" Rezension(8): "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." Rezension(9): "Publishers Weekly:A powerful, emotional journey, compellingly written." Rezension(10): "RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars, Top Pick!):Debut novelist Kuang creates an ambitious fantasy reimagining of Asian history populated by martial artists, philosopher-generals, and gods [...] This is a strong and dramatic launch to Kuang's career." Rezension(11): "Library Journal (starred review) :The narrative is an impactful, impressive symphony of words that grant life to this incredible morality tale. Setting the stage for an epic fantasy is an understandably enormous undertaking, but Kuang does an exceptional job of world and character building." Rezension(12): "Booknest.eu:The book starts as an epic bildungsroman, and just when you think it can't get any darker, it does [...] Kuang pulls from East Asian history, including the brutality of the Second Sino-Japanese war, to weave a wholly unique experience." Rezension(13): "Omnivoracious (10 Highly Anticipated New Science Fiction and Fantasy Books):[ The Poppy War is] strikingly grim military fantasy that summons readers into an East Asian–,inspired world of battles, opium, gods, and monsters. Fans of Ken Liu's The Grace of Kings will snap this one up." Rezension(14): "Washington Post:This looks like a good match for readers of Red Rising." Rezension(15): " ,. Qiouyi Lu ,or the B&, Sci-fi &,Fantasy Blog:The Poppy War is a masterful piece of fiction." Rezension(16): "The Skiffy and Fanty Show:A young woman's determination and drive to succeed and excel at any cost runs into the horrors of war, conflict and ancient, suppressed forces in R. F. Kuang's excellent debut novel, The Poppy War." Rezension(17): "New York Daily News:Kuang ambitiously begins a trilogy that doesn't shy away from the darkest sides of her characters, wrapped in a confectionery of high-fantasy pulp. [...] The future of Rin in this world may appear quite dark, but that of the series seems bright indeed." Rezension(18): "Sammy’, Shelf:If you have read and enjoyed George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire, or Sabah Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes then you are likely to enjoy this." Rezension(19): "Fantasy Book Review:I can safely say that this will be the finest debut of 2018 and I'd be surprised if it isn't one of the top 3 books of the year full stop. Spectacular, masterclass, brilliant, awesome [...] Simply put, R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War is a towering achievement of modern fantasy." Rezension(20): "The Roarbots:This isn't just another magical, fantasy world with artificially fabricated stakes. Rin's journey and the war against the Federation feel incredibly urgent and powerful [...] R.F. Kuang is one of the most exciting new authors I've had the privilege of reading." Rezension(21): "Utopia State of Mind:[THE POPPY WAR] feels entirely immersive and rich in a way that kind of sucks you in [...] It's a treasure trove." Rezension(22): "The Quill to Live:The Poppy War was a fun, engrossing, journey to a world I wish I could visit and a school I wish I could attend. With its strong characters, interesting world building, and..." Rezension(23): "〈a href=http://lj.libraryjournal.com/ target=blank〉〈img src=https://images.contentreserve.com/libraryjournal_logo.png alt=Library Journal border=0 /〉〈/a〉: December 1, 2017 Top scores on an empirewide test land Rin at a prestigious military school, but being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south gets her taunted by classmates. That's how she learns she possesses shamanic powers, which will come in handy when the Third Poppy War arrives. A debut inspired by 20th-century Chinese history,with a 75,000-copy first printing. Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission. " Rezension(24): "〈a href=http://www.publishersweekly.com target=blank〉〈img src=https://images.contentreserve.com/pw_logo.png alt=Publisher's Weekly border=0 /〉〈/a〉: March 5, 2018 Debut novelist Kuang creates an ambitious fantasy reimagining of Asian history populated by martial artists, philosopher-generals, and gods. War orphan Fang Runin (“Rin”) escapes abusive foster parents by gaining admission to the Nikara Empire’s prestigious military academy. Though stigmatized because of her peasant background, she earns top grades and wins the annual martial arts tournament. But she refuses a typical apprenticeship and instead goes to study with the academy’s disreputable Lore Master Jiang, who despairs of reviving the discredited shaman traditions. Finding her way to the home of the gods, Rin is forced to choose between obeying her master’s warnings against abuse of power and unleashing divine retribution when the island nation of Mugen, armed with chemical and biological weapons, invades and massacres civilians. Kuang highlights the horrors of war, especially the moral and emotional toll on combatants who employ scorched-earth strategies. Heroic responses pale in view of the collateral damage that they trigger, and the novel does not allow its characters to slough off their culpability for channeling godly powers. Readers may empathize with Rin’s desire for vengeance, but any thrill at her success is matched by horror at its costs. This is a strong and dramatic launch to Kuang’s career."

Language: English

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