The Poppy War – Audiobook Online

“The Poppy War” is a dark and gripping fantasy novel set in a world inspired by the history and mythology of China. The story follows Rin, a teenage girl from a poor, rural family who earns a place at the prestigious Sinegard Military Academy, where she discovers a talent for shamanism, a powerful type of magic used by the Empire to control its enemies.

As Rin navigates the cutthroat world of Sinegard, she learns of a devastating conflict brewing between the Nikan Empire and the Federation of Mugen, a neighboring country. When war finally breaks out, Rin’s unique abilities make her a valuable asset to the Nikan military, and she is sent to train under the infamous Altan Trengsin, a powerful and ruthless general known for his brutal tactics. As the war intensifies, Rin finds herself facing unimaginable horrors and forced to make difficult choices in order to survive. She must also confront the dark legacy of her country’s history, including the use of opium and other drugs to control its people and subjugate its enemies.

“The Poppy War” is a complex and intense novel that explores themes of power, identity, and the human cost of war. Rin’s journey is both a coming-of-age story and a harrowing tale of survival in a violent and unforgiving world. The novel also sets up the groundwork for the next two books in the trilogy, which promise to continue to push the boundaries of epic fantasy.

• The Poppy War
• The Poppy War, Book 1
• By: R. F. Kuang
• Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

An imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by 20th century China’s bloody history and filled with betrayal and magic.

When Rin passed the Keju – the test to find the most talented students in the Empire – it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from the Rooster province could pass without cheating, to Rin’s guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off, and that in the end Rin herself got out alive. Her entry into Sinegard – the most elite military school in Nikan – was even more surprising. But surprises are not always good.

For being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south was not an easy thing in Sinegard. Against the prejudices of her classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses an extraordinary, deadly power – a gift for the near-mythical arts of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychostimulants and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that long-dead gods are still alive – and mastering these powers can mean more than just surviving in school.

For while the Nikara Empire was at peace, the Mugen Federation was still lurking in a narrow sea. The Confederacy occupied Nikan for decades after the First Opium War and only narrowly lost the continent during the second. And while most people calmly move on with their lives, a few realize that the Third Opium War was just a spark….

I’m so glad I decided to listen to this book on audio instead of reading it in person, because Emily Woo Zeller’s performance was phenomenal. Without a doubt, she is one of the best storytellers I have ever heard. Her voice for each character is very different and even the male characters really look like men.

The poppy war is a wild ride of a novel, it never stops and will make you listen. I find myself doing more and more housework just to be able to keep listening. Highly recommended! But please also be aware of the heavy content in this novel (which was inspired by the Nanjing Massacre), including: genocide, drug use, addiction, racism, self-harm, bullying, abuse, cruelty and death to animals, torture, rape (off-page but detailed), mutilation, pictorial depictions of adults, murder and child experiments, and Be careful when listening to this book.

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