The Poppy War tells the story of Fang Runin (Rin), a war orphan, and her journey of uncovering hidden talents and discovering her identity. When she is first introduced, she is longing to get out of the village of Tikany where she works for her adoptive family who are opium dealers. Not only is she often abused and manipulated, but she also faces the threat of being married off.
Desperate to escape this, she confronts her tutor and decides to spend the next two years of her life preparing for the Keju exam. After ranking the highest in her province, Rin manages to be accepted into the Sinegard academy, leaving her life in Tikany. In Sinegard, she faces troubles including judgement and exclusion from her classmates and instructors because of her darker skin color, lack of experience, and accent.
As the book goes on, Rin makes a discovery about her identity that will change the course of her entire life. If analysed, it is clear that the Poppy War was inspired by early 20th century China as well as the Japanese Empire. The book touches on war, belonging, and the consequences of power. Before reading, make sure to search for trigger warnings because this book contains notes of violence and grimness.
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