The Dragon Republic

Paperback, 400 pages

English language

Published April 13, 2019 by HarperCollins Publishers Limited.

ISBN:: 978-0-00-823986-2

Rin's story continues in this acclaimed sequel to The Poppy War--an epic fantasy combining the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters.

The war is over. The war has just begun. Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the atrocity she committed to save her people. Now she is on the run from her guilt, the opium addiction that holds her like a vice, and the murderous commands of the fiery Phoenix--the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power. Though she does not want to live, she refuses to die until she avenges the traitorous Empress who betrayed Rin's homeland to its enemies. Her only hope is to join forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who plots to conquer …

Rin's story continues in this acclaimed sequel to The Poppy War--an epic fantasy combining the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters.

The war is over. The war has just begun. Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the atrocity she committed to save her people. Now she is on the run from her guilt, the opium addiction that holds her like a vice, and the murderous commands of the fiery Phoenix--the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power. Though she does not want to live, she refuses to die until she avenges the traitorous Empress who betrayed Rin's homeland to its enemies. Her only hope is to join forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who plots to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new republic. But neither the Empress nor the Dragon Warlord are what they seem. The more Rin witnesses, the more she fears her love for Nikan will force her to use the Phoenix's deadly power once more. Because there is nothing Rin won't sacrifice to save her country . . . and exact her vengeance.

10 editions

Taylor Drew reviewed The Dragon Republic by R. F. Kuang (The Poppy War, #2)

Tragedy after tragedy

5 stars

Don't really want to get into the story too much because it'll be spoilerly, but the book was no less sad than the first. So much death and heartbreak and pain. So much nauseating detail. But also a lot of heart and commitment. I love it. I know my heart is going to be smashed apart in Book 3.

I will say that the Hesparians definitely function quite well in their role of representing "the West" in this fictional story. I also appreciated the nuance brought to conversations about Mugen (inspired by Imperial Japan). Just so good.

Don't really want to get into the story too much because it'll be spoilerly, but the book was no less sad than the first. So much death and heartbreak and pain. So much nauseating detail. But also a lot of heart and commitment. I love it. I know my heart is going to be smashed apart in Book 3.

I will say that the Hesparians definitely function quite well in their role of representing "the West" in this fictional story. I also appreciated the nuance brought to conversations about Mugen (inspired by Imperial Japan). Just so good.

Subjects

Fiction
Fantasy
War