leigh ann

Happy RFKuanguary!

Apparently everyone I know and people I don’t are diving into R. F. Kuang’s work this January. Technically I’m cheating because I started The Poppy War in December but life is fickle and I make the rules.

Let’s start off with stating the obvious. I have this insanely innate ability to avoid spoilers. No joke. I’ve went into many classic movies and shows having completely misinterpreted the plot. I thought Alien (the movie) took place in the current (for the time) era and I won’t even explain to you what I thought the Matrix was because I would never embarrass myself like that on the internet. So, I state, I had NO IDEA that there was DRUG USE in these books.

I mean looking back now DUH so OBVIOUS, but beforehand I just assumed it was a metaphor. Idk I’m a bit dumb maybe.

Moving on.

I also had no idea that the book was this dark. I understood somewhat that it was but Kuang really got into the nitty gritty at times. And going into it with no clue regarding the contents had me shocked and horrified at times. But I kept turning those pages. I was hooked. Rin and I were in this journey together. I see people hating on her as a character but I think people just have trouble with complex women characters.

“we need more complex female characters” and ya’ll couldn’t even handle her

But while I went into the book a little bamboozled and clueless I went on this journey and battled morals and stayed stressed. I cursed Rin out, I cheered her on, I supported her decisions, I disagreed with her decisions but never at any point did I put the book down and fucked off.

War is always a tricky task to handle and I think seeing it from the prospective of one, highly flawed individual was such a good decision. Rin isn’t thinking too much of the future. She’s in this moment. She’s not a bad ass but she is a bad ass. She craves attention from the wrong places. She’ll power on even when she knows things aren’t right.

I’m not one for breaking down a story piece by piece like I used to. When I started bookstagram I disclaimed that I review based on vibe.

This vibe is feral.

Rin endeared herself to me from the first chapter. I’ve been there. I get that. Clawing herself up from the bottom with sheer willpower and spite. From then I knew, whether I agree with her or not I’m in her corner.

4/5 stars – don’t hate on Rin to me I will not support you. Beware if you enter, graphic content ahead.