R. F. Kuang

The searing follow-up to 2018's most celebrated fantasy debut - THE POPPY WAR.

The Dragon Republic

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.

prawnie

I defect for them. This is how I will protect them. I weep for you, my student. I weep for your Republic. I weep for my wife and children. You will die thinking I have abandoned you all. But I do not hesitate to say that I value the lives of my people far more than I have ever valued you.

“You’re right,” she said. “I loved an idea of you. I was infatuated with you. I wanted to be you. But I didn’t know you then, and I’ll never really know what you were. I’m finished wondering now, Altan. I’m ready to kill you.”

“He loved her and feared her,” Nezha said. “They’re not mutually exclusive.”

“Nüwa, you old bitch,” said the Phoenix.

Stas

If a thousand fell, then she would throw another thousand at him, and then another thousand. [...] war on this scale was a numbers game, and she had lives to spare.

is vaisra good. bc i can’t take it if not

“People will seek to use you or destroy you. If you want to live, you must pick a side. So do not shirk from war, child. Do not flinch from suffering. When you hear screaming, run toward it.”

“You’re so strong,” he said. “Whatever you’re seeing, whatever you’re feeling, it’s not as strong as you are.”

“You spend your whole life chasing after some illusion you think is real, only to realize you’re a damned fool, and that if you reach any further, you’ll drown.”

But she also didn't want to make it stop. The anger was a shield. The anger helped her to keep from remembering what she'd done. Because as long as she was angry, then it was okay -she'd acted within reason. She was afraid that if she stopped being angry, she might crack apart.

If the people of Adlaga were asking that same question, they didn't show it. Everyone looked so happy. Faces relaxed in simple relief because the war was over, the Empire was vic- torious, and they were safe. And that made Rin furious.

Yenale

"Oh child. We are not going to kill you." The Sorquan Shira reached out and stroked the back of her fingers down Rin's cheek. "We're going to fix you."

"My people are mud," she said. "And you're still going to let them run a country."

"I don't think they're mud," Nezha said. "I think they're still unformed. Uneducated and uncultered. They don't know better because they haven't been given the chance. But the Republic will shape and refine them. Develop them into what they're mean to be."

"It's not about who you are, it's about how they see you. And once you're mud in this country, you're always mud."

"Democracy's not going to work. Look at them." She was gesturing at trees, not people, but it hardly made a difference to her. 

"They're cows. Fools. They're voting for the Republic because they're scared - I'm sure they'd vote just as quickly to join the Federation."

"When did you let the Mugunese into your gates?" she asked. "Before they burned Golyn Niis, or after?"

"We didn't have a choice," he whispered. 

By an overwhelming majority, the village of Radan had elected to join the Republic.

Nezha looked both pleased and relieved. "That's what you get when you let the people decide."

Kitay shook his head. "No, that's what you get when you've killed all the brave men and let the cowards vote."

"I don't care that my father thinks the sun shines out of your ass," he said. "You'll act like soldiers or you'll be punished as deserters."

"Asshole," Rin muttered as they left the office.

"He's absolutely awful," Kitay agreed. "It's a rare person who makes Nezha look like a pleasant sibling."

"I'm not saying that I want him to drown in the Murui," Ramsa said, "but I want him to drown in the Murui."

"It's either your ship or Nezha's. And frankly, he and I have been getting on each other's nerves."

"Oh, it absolutely is," he said. "Don't care. Besides, I like you better. Aren't you flattered?"

"Negotiations?" she screeched. "You think I give a fuck about negociations? They want to dissect me!"

"And Father won't let that happen! You think he's about to give you up? You think 

 let that happen? I'd die before I let anyone hurt you, Rin, calm down -"

"Yes. But you'll really like this one. Nice uniform, by the way."

"I'm just saying the colors look good on you. You make a good Dragon."

"People will seek to use you or destroy you. If you want to live, you must pick a side. So do not shirk from war, child. Do not flinch from suffering. When you hear screaming, run toward it."

"Do you think the Nikara are so altruistic? What if you asked a village to give up their homes so that thousands of others might live? Do you think they would do it? The Nikara are selfish. This entire country is selfish. 

 are selfish. The provinces have always been so 

 parochial, unable to see past their own narrow interests to pursue any kind of joint action."

"When my dogs go mad, I put them down," Jun said.

The Empress spoke from the doorway. "But little girls arent's dogs, Loran." 

This was what the balance of power looked like now. People like her waved a hand and millions were crushed within the confines of some elemental disaster, flung on the chessboard of the world like irrelevant pieces. People like her - shamans, all of them - were like children stomping around over entire cities as if they were mud castles, glass houses, fungible entities that could be targeted and demolished.

I did not see the betrayal at the end happening but it was sooo good

plot twists and betrayals around every corner

plot twists and betrayals around every corner

had a good time

character development and personal drama definitely got better, although I still don’t understand how talented student in the first book forgot all her politics and strategy military training. I guess it shows her nature and connection to fire and whatnot, but sometimes her actions feel rather stupid

Eugene

“Fire and water looked so lovely together. It was a pity they destroyed each other by nature.”

It took me two years to finally read the second book in this series and I am not going to lie, this series so far has been exhausting and mildly traumatising. When I wrote my review for the first book I think I was in a state of shock because I barely even mentioned how it affected me, Part 3 of The Poppy War took a very dark turn and felt like a completely different book to the first two parts and, spoiler for book one, 

the fact it ended on a genocide borne from revenge and hatred of an entire country of people didn't sit well with me.

For a long time I wondered if I would ever even pick this series up again, to be honest, and I am glad that I did but also I think this series, while very well written for the most part, just isn't developing in a way that I completely vibe with.

It's actually not so much the topics, I think a story about war and oppression is always going to have very tough subjects discussed, betrayal, poverty, treatment of refugees, prejudice, murder, rape etc those, unfortunately, all come part and parcel with war and the way they're added into these books is realistic but I am not sure they're handled as well as they could be. For one, Rin's character is incredibly flawed - and I like a good morally grey character - but, especially through The Dragon Republic, she just does not have any character growth. At the beginning she is battling with grief and guilt for what she did and ends up addicted to opium because those feelings plus the rage she feels fuels the Phoenix and causes her to lose control of her fire. I think this would have been a great place for the story to segue into a deep dive into those feelings and a chance for Rin to grow and learn to be better, have some emotional stability and only access the rage purposefully when she needs her powers. But instead she become infatuated with a man who is very similar to Altan, the man who wrecked her and basically abused her previously, and is strong armed into sobriety and control, which somehow happens cold turkey over a miraculously short week... 

Rin then goes on to lose access to her power through Daji's Seal and basically throws tantrums and then gives up and becomes a shell of herself, and is only happy again once she finds a way to access her rage again. She yells and screams about basically committing near genocide again on the remaining Federation soldiers, the Hesperians and even, at the end, the Dragon Republic itself 

Through all of this, Kitay remains my favourite character. His friendship with Rin is amazing, his balance of knowledge and morality juxtaposed against Rin's chaos and hatred is so refreshing, and as we learn in this book he's fuelled by anger himself but the way he channels that is just so much healthier than her. At the end of the book, 

when everything goes down with Nezha and Vaisra's betrayal, Rin talks about wanting to find other kids just like her, wanting to harness their rage to fight a civil war and Kitay is resigned to going along with this plan even though it's clear he hates it. 

I just hope he gets a happy ending, I don't really care what happens to any of the other characters because honestly, I don't really like any of the other characters, but Kitay deserves peace and his dream of becoming a scholar. The other side characters are kind of non-consequential to be honest, they're still pretty 2D in my mind. We lose a lot of pretty important people in this book and I just didn't feel attached enough to them to be upset, sadly.

I think I am in a bit of a shock again writing this review too to be honest, so I am probably going to take another break before I read the third book but overall, I did enjoy this story. The plot meanders quite a lot and I do think this book suffers a bit from middle book syndrome but altogether I found it action packs, thrilling and fascinating to read. If I wasn't so entertained by the story itself I think I probably would've given this book less stars, but I'm settling on four because it's something I would absolutely recommend to some people but there is just a little something missing. If you are going to pick up this series you 

 to check your triggers because this is not an easy read, but I do think it's good writing to an extent. RF Kuang is clearly an accomplished writer and has important things to say, but I do think it could use a little bit more refining to give those messages punch rather than resorting to endless trauma and shock value.

Genevieve 

“Fire and water looked so lovely together. It was a pity they destroyed each other by nature.”

4 ⭐

It took me two years to finally read the second book in this series and I am not going to lie, this series so far has been exhausting and mildly traumatising. When I wrote my review for the first book I think I was in a state of shock because I barely even mentioned how it affected me, Part 3 of The Poppy War took a very dark turn and felt like a completely different book to the first two parts and, spoiler for book one, 
SPOILER
the fact it ended on a genocide borne from revenge and hatred of an entire country of people didn't sit well with me.
END SPOILER 
For a long time I wondered if I would ever even pick this series up again, to be honest, and I am glad that I did but also I think this series, while very well written for the most part, just isn't developing in a way that I completely vibe with.

It's actually not so much the topics, I think a story about war and oppression is always going to have very tough subjects discussed, betrayal, poverty, treatment of refugees, prejudice, murder, rape etc those, unfortunately, all come part and parcel with war and the way they're added into these books is realistic but I am not sure they're handled as well as they could be. For one, Rin's character is incredibly flawed - and I like a good morally grey character - but, especially through The Dragon Republic, she just does not have any character growth. At the beginning she is battling with grief and guilt for what she did and ends up addicted to opium because those feelings plus the rage she feels fuels the Phoenix and causes her to lose control of her fire. I think this would have been a great place for the story to segue into a deep dive into those feelings and a chance for Rin to grow and learn to be better, have some emotional stability and only access the rage purposefully when she needs her powers. But instead she become infatuated with a man who is very similar to Altan, the man who wrecked her and basically abused her previously, and is strong armed into sobriety and control, which somehow happens cold turkey over a miraculously short week... 
SPOILER
Rin then goes on to lose access to her power through Daji's Seal and basically throws tantrums and then gives up and becomes a shell of herself, and is only happy again once she finds a way to access her rage again. She yells and screams about basically committing near genocide again on the remaining Federation soldiers, the Hesperians and even, at the end, the Dragon Republic itself 
END SPOILER

Through all of this, Kitay remains my favourite character. His friendship with Rin is amazing, his balance of knowledge and morality juxtaposed against Rin's chaos and hatred is so refreshing, and as we learn in this book he's fuelled by anger himself but the way he channels that is just so much healthier than her. At the end of the book, 
SPOILER
when everything goes down with Nezha and Vaisra's betrayal, Rin talks about wanting to find other kids just like her, wanting to harness their rage to fight a civil war and Kitay is resigned to going along with this plan even though it's clear he hates it. 
END SPOILER
I just hope he gets a happy ending, I don't really care what happens to any of the other characters because honestly, I don't really like any of the other characters, but Kitay deserves peace and his dream of becoming a scholar. The other side characters are kind of non-consequential to be honest, they're still pretty 2D in my mind. We lose a lot of pretty important people in this book and I just didn't feel attached enough to them to be upset, sadly.

I think I am in a bit of a shock again writing this review too to be honest, so I am probably going to take another break before I read the third book but overall, I did enjoy this story. The plot meanders quite a lot and I do think this book suffers a bit from middle book syndrome but altogether I found it action packs, thrilling and fascinating to read. If I wasn't so entertained by the story itself I think I probably would've given this book less stars, but I'm settling on four because it's something I would absolutely recommend to some people but there is just a little something missing. If you are going to pick up this series you NEED to check your triggers because this is not an easy read, but I do think it's good writing to an extent. RF Kuang is clearly an accomplished writer and has important things to say, but I do think it could use a little bit more refining to give those messages punch rather than resorting to endless trauma and shock value.

my life is forever changed this book series has literally changed me

amelia <3

okay so without getting too detailed, i think this was a shockingly bad follow up to the poppy war (do keep in mind i read tpw over a year ago). I did 

 the book, in general, i think, but I find myself having the same issue with Kuangs writing. She is so heavy handed with info and messages, and leaves nothing to be interpreted. When she wants to tell you something, SHE WILL. 

 why Rin is the way she is, I understand the parallells to Mao Zedong, and I understand an unlikeable mc. I LOVE an unlikeable mc, they're my fav actually. Rin, on the other hand, is not as much an unlikeable mc or anti hero, as much as she is just an asshole who throws tantrums whenever she doesn't get her way. I do believe this again boils down to bad writing, bc I won't doubt for a second that a mc could be entertaining even if they follow the same arc as Rin does. Rin has no ambitions for herself, cannot do shit unless there's a man involved, and it seems her character changes personality whenever Kuang needs to further the plot, with no sense, meaning or reason. 

As with babel the side characters are definitely there! idk who they are but they're there!! Rin is a mouthpiece for Kuang and her history lessons, and AGAIN its just the same issues with the writing that i had with babel.

I've compared this a lot to babel, and we all know how that went...but i WILL say this series (and book) is better, because it feels more focused on the plot? Prob because she chose a different historical event to rewrite but you get the point. 

also i think Kuang might benefit from rebranding? go into historical fiction instead of covering up lackluster writing and plotholes with bad and poorly executed magic systems

ANYWAYS, idk how to end this so i will simply be fainting

not the mao zedong fanfic

okay so without getting too detailed, i think this was a shockingly bad follow up to the poppy war (do keep in mind i read tpw over a year ago). I did like the book, in general, i think, but I find myself having the same issue with Kuangs writing. She is so heavy handed with info and messages, and leaves nothing to be interpreted. When she wants to tell you something, SHE WILL. 

I also understand why Rin is the way she is, I understand the parallells to Mao Zedong, and I understand an unlikeable mc. I LOVE an unlikeable mc, they're my fav actually. Rin, on the other hand, is not as much an unlikeable mc or anti hero, as much as she is just an asshole who throws tantrums whenever she doesn't get her way. I do believe this again boils down to bad writing, bc I won't doubt for a second that a mc could be entertaining even if they follow the same arc as Rin does. Rin has no ambitions for herself, cannot do shit unless there's a man involved, and it seems her character changes personality whenever Kuang needs to further the plot, with no sense, meaning or reason. 

As with babel the side characters are definitely there! idk who they are but they're there!! Rin is a mouthpiece for Kuang and her history lessons, and AGAIN its just the same issues with the writing that i had with babel.

I've compared this a lot to babel, and we all know how that went...but i WILL say this series (and book) is better, because it feels more focused on the plot? Prob because she chose a different historical event to rewrite but you get the point. 

also i think Kuang might benefit from rebranding? go into historical fiction instead of covering up lackluster writing and plotholes with bad and poorly executed magic systems

ANYWAYS, idk how to end this so i will simply be fainting

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.

Kiran Aftab

the 2nd book for trilogies usually get boring but nope not this one. r. f. kuang really did that. also that ending? wow

ploral

4.5

This book was painful. I want Rin to burn the world down in the next book. I don't care for anyone but the cike. Fuck everyone.

Innalilahi wainnailaihi rajiun... Mengenang Altan Bin Trengsin.. Semoga si Runin Runin itu gak cepet nyusul...

raia – inactive

The searing follow-up to 2018's most celebrated fantasy debut - THE POPPY WAR. Rin is on the run... Haunted by the atrocity she committed to save her people, addicted to opium, and driven by the murderous commands of Phoenix, the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power. Rin's only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold her homeland, Nikan, to her enemies. With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. She throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do...

It was a little slow paced for my liking, but I loved everything that was going on. I can't even be mad at the ending because it is something I would write.
I see a lot of hate towards Rin and I don't get it, she is a good main morally grey character, I feel that if she was a man she wouldn't recieve as much hate as she does. Nezha and Kitay have always been my favourite characters, and that still remains, but Rin is so much fun to follow the story with. 
I have very high spectations for the last book.

The searing follow-up to 2018’s most celebrated fantasy debut – THE POPPY WAR.

The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, Book 2)

arwen

ghost girl in satin

OMFG. I DON'T HAVE WORDS. IT WAS SO GOOD. IT WAS SO FREAKING GOOD. 
AND THE ENDING. OMFG. I CAN'T EVEN.

Luke Harkness

Another very good fantasy tale

So I don't think I've quite jumped on the hype of this series quite like everyone else. I do love the setting and the unique lore, but there are just too many onconsistencies. My biggest gripe with this series is just how grumpy everyone is. I understand the main character is supposed to have a short temper as it helps flare her power but this shouldn't stop her from being able to joke and take a joke either - neither of which she does. Luckily some of the other characters really brought in some personality and humour to the book which made it a more enjoyable character tale to read. My only other gripe is there's a lot of war involved - which I know is the premise and I knew going into it - but it is mostly all they talk about and it can be hard to keep track of sometimes.

Selin Igten

oh my fucking god oh my god i did not expect that ending oh my god

aleksandra

5/5

I LOVE this series. I ADORE this series. I WORSHIP this series. I TREASURE this series. I’m ON MY KNEES for this series. I want to start a NEW RELIGION for this series. I want to PROPOSE to this series I want to MARRY this series. I want to DIE for this series. I’m INSANE for this series. I want to buy EVERY POSSIBLE COPY of this series. I want to START A FAMILY with this series. I want to worship this series on my knees UNTIL THE DAY I DIE.


I don't remember the last time I was so absorbed in some books that I couldn't function like a normal person. I got up, I went to read this book, I ate and read this book, I read instead of studying because this book was more important, I tried to sleep and thought about this book, I was taking a shower and couldn't wait to finally go to bed and read this book instead of going to sleep. I don't know what kind of crack R.F. Kuang put into this trilogy, but I'm absolutely obsessed. I know Rebecca will never see this, but thank you. Your books reminded me why I love reading. 

I never expected the second book to be even better than the first one, which I already rated five stars - and believe me, it’s a rare occurrence for me to rate a book that high - but yes, it pushed the first part off the podium. The plot, the twists, and that end. There was action after action, even when it seemed calmer, suddenly something happened and instead of talking a break for a second, you kept reading because you had to know what was happening. If there was one thing I would wholeheartedly recommend before starting this series, it would be to not get attached to any of the characters. Seriously. This is definitely not your typical young adult fantasy story where all the characters got what they deserved, whether it was a happy ending or not. It’s a book about war, its ugly and painful consequences and the people who, regardless of age, had to participate in it, losing their loved ones, friends and even themselves. 


The characters here clearly stole the show. Kitay, the greatest best friend, I never thought I could love this man more, but I do. Nezha, I know he has a lot going on in his complicated life, I hate him for what he's done, but I don't think it's possible for me to dislike him. Ramsa, Suni, Baji, Venka, I love these people, I have become so attached to them, I just love them with my whole heart. You could see here how much these characters had changed, how the war had changed them all, from young people with aspirations to people who lost some faith in their future but still wanted to fight for what they thought was good.


  
    "But eventually, you'll have to ask yourself precisely what you're fighting for. And you'll have to find a reason to live past vengeance"

"Fire and water looked so lovely together. It was a pity they destroyed each other by nature."
  


Let's not forget about the most important character here, Fang Runin. You could so clearly see how much she had changed since the first book - from a still young girl attending her dream academy, to a girl who had lost many important people, to a girl who had to make choices that no child should have to make, to a girl who people treated like a machine, not a human, to a girl who was lost and wanted to give up, but still found the strength to fight. I think her character was portrayed in the most real and authentic way. She was far from perfect, but are any of us perfect? She was not, but that doesn't change the fact that she's still one of the best characters I've ever read about. Did I agree with all of her choices? No, some of the paths she chose frustrated me or I just simply didn’t understand them, but I kept forgetting that she was a young girl who grew up in difficult conditions, and when she finally found herself in the place she chose, a war began in which due to her newfound abilities, she had no choice but fight. I have this great feeling that I know what will happen in the third book with her, and not only with her, but for my own peace of mind I will try to be delusional and pretend that I am wrong.


I could probably write and write about this book forever, but I'll stop here and just say that I highly recommend it with my whole heart. I know that this is a series that you have to be in the right mood and time to start, I picked it up after it had been on my shelf for two years, but it was so worth it. Despite the pain, tears, betrayal and trauma I experienced here, it was worth it.

OH MY GOD THAT ENDING 😭😭😭😭😭 this book has made me confused on who to side on.... all i know right now is kitay best boy 🫡 anyways THIS WAS SO GOOD I LOVE IT SM

𝜗𝜚

Rin is on the run . . . 

Haunted by the terrible choices she had to make to save her people, Rin's only reason for living is to take revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold her homeland to its enemies.

Forced to ally with the powerful Dragon Warlord in his plan to unseat the Empress, Rin throws herself into the struggle using the fearsome power bestowed on her by the vengeful god Phoenix.

After all, making war is all she knows how to do . . . 

When I began reading the second book, I initially hoped it would get all the way better than the first one. And it did. Upon reaching the halfway point of the book, it became apparent that Kuang deliberately wrote The Dragon Republic with a significantly slower pace compared to The Poppy War. I have no objections to this. I appreciate a deliberate pace as long as there are continuous and coherent connections between plot points. However, I must confess that despite the Kuang’s intention to create a seamless flow through the plot, it still feels overly drawn-out, leading to a sense of frustration as we eagerly anticipate the next significant development. In contrast to the first book where we barely got to know anyone at all, the second book delves into the depths of characters we were introduced to in The Poppy War.

I appreciate the opportunity to explore more of Kitay’s character, gaining insight into the overwhelming emotions concealed within him. Being accustomed to his intellectual judgments, understanding his motives adds a new dimension to his character. The bond formed between Kitay and Rin adds to his importance. I feel compelled to bring up The Cike as they not only serve as Rin’s sole friends, but they hold significance for Rin’s character development. I am overly saddened that they are given so little mention, considering the unfairness of their deaths. God, I am going to miss them so terribly.

Then of course, there’s Yin Nezha, our beloved yet pitiful character. Throughout the book, I found myself questioning a lot about him. In the end, was he in the wrong? I don’t think so. In a way, he appeared to be a convergent to Rin—whereas he was a victim of destiny. He didn’t desire a war against Rin, and he certainly didn’t ask for the dragon curse. Nezha simply came into the world, raised as a northerner, the son, and the male heir to the House of Yin. At this rate, it seems like nobody has ever really grasped Nezha’s true nature. In the third book, my only wish is that everything will be clarified for us.

 the conclusion approaches, the tension escalates like a rollercoaster ride, and I find myself queasy in realizing that, from that point forward, Nezha will be Rin’s enemy. Yet again, we are treated to an epic concluding line. In those final moments, I particularly appreciated that, for once, Rin could make up her mind about at least one thing.

🏹

When I began reading the second book, I initially hoped it would get all the way better than the first one. And it did. Upon reaching the halfway point of the book, it became apparent that Kuang deliberately wrote The Dragon Republic with a significantly slower pace compared to The Poppy War. I have no objections to this. I appreciate a deliberate pace as long as there are continuous and coherent connections between plot points. However, I must confess that despite the Kuang’s intention to create a seamless flow through the plot, it still feels overly drawn-out, leading to a sense of frustration as we eagerly anticipate the next significant development. In contrast to the first book where we barely got to know anyone at all, the second book delves into the depths of characters we were introduced to in The Poppy War.

I appreciate the opportunity to explore more of Kitay’s character, gaining insight into the overwhelming emotions concealed within him. Being accustomed to his intellectual judgments, understanding his motives adds a new dimension to his character. The bond formed between Kitay and Rin adds to his importance. I feel compelled to bring up The Cike as they not only serve as Rin’s sole friends, but they hold significance for Rin’s character development. I am overly saddened that they are given so little mention, considering the unfairness of their deaths. God, I am going to miss them so terribly.

Then of course, there’s Yin Nezha, our beloved yet pitiful character. Throughout the book, I found myself questioning a lot about him. In the end, was he in the wrong? I don’t think so. In a way, he appeared to be a convergent to Rin—whereas he was a victim of destiny. He didn’t desire a war against Rin, and he certainly didn’t ask for the dragon curse. Nezha simply came into the world, raised as a northerner, the son, and the male heir to the House of Yin. At this rate, it seems like nobody has ever really grasped Nezha’s true nature. In the third book, my only wish is that everything will be clarified for us.

As the conclusion approaches, the tension escalates like a rollercoaster ride, and I find myself queasy in realizing that, from that point forward, Nezha will be Rin’s enemy. Yet again, we are treated to an epic concluding line. In those final moments, I particularly appreciated that, for once, Rin could make up her mind about at least one thing.

Isabella 

4.5
The plot is super detailed that I honestly don't remember every detail, but it was so interesting and well-written that I couldn't stop reading. The story and complex were complex and I loved it. Everything that happened made sense, and although I saw it coming, it still made me speechless (in a good way). (view spoiler)[Why are you killing my favorite characters :( + Despite me expecting the betrayal that happened, it still HURT. I want to hate Nezha so bad, but I can't do it. (hide spoiler)] This book was full of pain. PAIN. This book was full of pain. PAIN. I am honestly terrified to read the next book.

It was a masterpiece. My favourite of the trilogy. I loved the political aspect of the book, the Cike's characters and the shifts of power. As usual, it's beautifully written. I laughed, I was horrified, and I cried a lot.

gabby

… i don’t even know. like i hate this. (this book is amazing but wtf)

Pia 

If it were possible, I'd get every word of this trilogy inked into my skin.

The Dragon Republic

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