R. F. Kuang

After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead.

Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much—the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges—and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.

Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it? 

The Burning God

was it ever really there in the first place?🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️

Stas

no the fuck it does NOT you psycho you JUST SAID you had lives to spare?????? AND followed it up w saying how people deserve to die bc of where they’re from????

Sashi

“But ideological purity is a battle cry, it's not the stable foundation for a unified country. A nation means nothing if it can't provide for the people in it. You have to act for their sake. Sometimes you've got to bend the knee, Rin. Sometimes, at least, you’ve got to pretend.”

She knew very well how total, dominating power tasted. But as she sat on the conquered throne, gazing down at the empty seats below, she understood for the first time the delicious authority that went with it.

This was chaos, but chaos was where she thrived. A world at peace, at stalemate, at cease-fire, had no use for her. She understood now what she needed to do to cling to power: submerge the world in chaos, and forge her authority from the broken pieces.

The point of revenge wasn't to heal. The point was that the exhilaration, however temporary, drowned out the hurt.

Maybe no one was truly a beast. Maybe that was just how murder became possible. You took away someone's humanity, and then you killed them.

Was this what liberation felt like? This couldn't be it. Freedom was supposed to feel like safety. She was supposed to feel like no one could ever harm her again.

What you have to do is shroud yourself in myth. Your enemies' deaths become part of your legend. Eventually you become so far removed from reality that right and wrong don't apply to you. Your identity becomes part and parcel of the idea of the nation itself. They’ll love you no matter what you do.

"You don't fix hurts by pretending they never happened. You treat them like infected wounds. You dig deep with a burning knife and gouge out the rotten flesh and then, maybe, you have a chance to heal.”

What was done was done. The only way to live with your transgressions, Rin had learned, was to lock them away in your mind and leave them in the abyss.

This was only grotesque if she saw her opponents as human. But she didn't see humans, because Sinegard and Altan had taught her to compartmentalize and detach. Learn to look and see not a man but a body. The soul is not there. The body is simply a composite of diferent targets, and all of them burn so bright.

Betrayed and left for dead . . . 

Rin has returned to her roots, to the southern provinces and the village that is her home. Her new allies are sly, but Rin knows that true power lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess.

Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic and the colonizing Hesperians. But, as her power and influence grows, will she be able to resist the voice of the Phoenix, urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

But Daji might fend Riga off for a few minutes, buy Ziya some time, and even if that cost her her life at least one of them would be spared.

Too late for second guesses now, sweetheart

Every time I remember this quote I start screaming

adhiti

“Oh, but history moved in such vicious circles.”

The exciting end to The Poppy War trilogy, R.F. Kuang's acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect.

The Burning God (The Poppy War, Book 3)

khwaiish 

“She’d wiped clear the maps of the past. She’d hurled the pieces off the board. She was a goddess. She was a monster. She’d nearly destroyed this country. 

And then she’d given it one last, gasping chance to live.” 

“Because we’ll be the Cike. And the first rule of the Cike is that we cull.”

“Prudence prevailed, because Kitay prevailed.”

“The gameplay doesn’t matter half so much as the thinking exercise.”

“Dying was east. Living was so much harder — that was the most important lesson Altan had ever taught her.”

“There was no world where Rin died and Kitay remained alive. Because Kitay had chosen to follow Rin into the afterlife and to leave Nezha behind. Alone.” 

The exciting end to The Poppy War trilogy, R. F. Kuang's acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect. After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead. Despite her losses, Rin hasn't given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much--the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges--and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation. Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix's intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

, she thought, and ignored his jeering laughter.

If she could remember how to hate Nezha, she would have killed him. But instead, she turned her back and let him make his retreat while she made hers.

Chloe Heisserer

She's the only divine thing he's ever believed in. The only Creature in this vast, cruel land who could kill him. And sometimes, in his loveliest dreams, he imagines she does.

I’ll hate you for it. But I’ll love you forever. I can't help but love you. 

a brilliant end to an incredible series about oppression and power. so dark but so worth the read.

Keira Ostrosser

Svetlana 

the ending itself brought this down 0.5 stars, I think this whole series overuses tropes and would really benefit from picking something and running with it, instead of the jumbled mess it is now. ALSO PICK A GENRE PLEASE

mickey

Haley

** spoiler alert **
           So much pain i can’t breathe

a heartbreaking end to the trilogy but def the one that gives it some justice (the dragon republic hurt me more)

Kiran Aftab

The exciting end to The Poppy War trilogy, R. F. Kuang’s acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect. After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead. Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much—the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges—and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation. Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

ploral

My heart is shattered. It was all so obvious from the beginning and yet it hurts so much. I don't have the faintest clue on how I'm going to get over this series.

if i were to reread this entire series, i would stop at the first book, that part where they're still at sinegard, and forget that everything else happened. 

in this book though, the first part was just really slow for me. it feels like so much and nothing was happening at the same time. but that ending. i am in utter shock. that was probably the most fcked up ending i've ever read. but also i couldn't think of any ending more suitable than that. i also can't find any other solution. is this what happened to china before? i really have mixed feeling with this. 

i don't exactly know what to say. this series was a freaking rollercoaster ride, and it made me realize a lot of things. for one; the answer of the question i've been asking for a long time. in this book, hisperia's religion is supposed to represent catholic or Christianity. we cannot deny the fact the this religion and its belief has been forced upon us. there are also evidences that death had been given to those who would not embrace this religion. and knowing all this, why do we still believe or embrace these beliefs? rin said that because of its peacefulness it brought. the thought that after death, we'll return to this place where there is no chaos, and that really puts us at ease. i also realized this but it's also because believing that someone, Him, is with us, through ups and downs, makes us feel that we're not alone. it kinda made me question so many things (what's the purpose of this belief, if there's any? does this mean that some believed cause of the peace that it brings? i can't really articulate this well with words:( )

also, that your life is not important when it comes to war. you'd just have to suck it up or pray that the damage wouldn't be too big. it's like you're just a pawn in the war politics and higher ups would likely sacrifice you if it's for the good of all. the hardest part is you couldn't really blame them.

what i really love the most in this series was the gods, the pantheon. they are the most interesting in my opinion. i loved reading them so much. 

i actually didn't cry throughout the book because of grief. frustration yes, but grief? i feel like kuang's writing wouldn't let me grieve a bit. instead, there's emptiness. there's so much happening you would only realize a character dies after you turn the next page (i am talking about the cike, esp ramsa)

i wanna talk about this book's colonialism but i don't really have enough knowledge for this. might do some research.

if i were to reread this entire series, i would stop at the first book, that part where they're still at sinegard, and forget that everything else happened. 

in this book though, the first part was just really slow for me. it feels like so much and nothing was happening at the same time. but that ending. i am in utter shock. that was probably the most fcked up ending i've ever read. but also i couldn't think of any ending more suitable than that. i also can't find any other solution. is this what happened to china before? i really have mixed feeling with this. 

i don't exactly know what to say. this series was a freaking rollercoaster ride, and it made me realize a lot of things. for one; the answer of the question i've been asking for a long time. in this book, hisperia's religion is supposed to represent catholic or Christianity. we cannot deny the fact the this religion and its belief has been forced upon us. there are also evidences that death had been given to those who would not embrace this religion. and knowing all this, why do we still believe or embrace these beliefs? rin said that because of its peacefulness it brought. the thought that after death, we'll return to this place where there is no chaos, and that really puts us at ease. i also realized this but it's also because believing that someone, Him, is with us, through ups and downs, makes us feel that we're not alone. it kinda made me question so many things (what's the purpose of this belief, if there's any? does this mean that some believed cause of the peace that it brings? i can't really articulate this well with words:( )

also, that your life is not important when it comes to war. you'd just have to suck it up or pray that the damage wouldn't be too big. it's like you're just a pawn in the war politics and higher ups would likely sacrifice you if it's for the good of all. the hardest part is you couldn't really blame them.

what i really love the most in this series was the gods, the pantheon. they are the most interesting in my opinion. i loved reading them so much. 

i actually didn't cry throughout the book because of grief. frustration yes, but grief? i feel like kuang's writing wouldn't let me grieve a bit. instead, there's emptiness. there's so much happening you would only realize a character dies after you turn the next page (i am talking about the cike, esp ramsa)

i wanna talk about this book's colonialism but i don't really have enough knowledge for this. might do some research.

raia – inactive

sarah

don’t evn know how to consolidate my thoughts bc I have so many 😭😭😭 overall just so impressed w how rf kuang was able to craft such a digestible story that is so thematically rich and intricate 😩 more than just the emotional roller coaster this had me on, I feel like I learned so much 🥲 consuming this trilogy made me question themes I’d previously just taken at face value, and this has definitely prompted a desire to learn more about the Asian history that i have close ties to, but never had the opportunity to properly dissect. 

and as much as the ending left me in shambles, i 100% think it was the most meaningful way to conclude such a complex story ❤️‍🩹🥲

The exciting end to the Poppy War trilogy, R. F. Kuang's acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect. After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead. Despite her losses, Rin hasn't given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much--the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges--and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation. Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix's intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

anya

Greer Andersson

5⭐️

EDIT: this was even more painful the second time around.

I cannot even put into words how deeply this series impacted me. The Burning God was such a powerful and fitting ending to the series and the only reaction i’m feeling right now upon finishing it is “screaming. crying. throwing up”.

God this series is just so beyond beautiful. RF Kuang is an absolute mastermind and she wrote this series from 19-23?!?! Absolutely incredible. 

As flawed as she is, Fang Runin will always be my favourite girl. I am so so sad that I won’t be able to read more of her.

ghost girl in satin

There is a hole in my chest the size of this book. This is a masterpiece and I'm crying.

james

aleksandra

4/5

I don't even know what to say, this book just broke me into pieces. I could barely read the last chapters through my tears. It was absolutely heartbreaking, brutal, ugly and heartless. I don’t think I will be ever the same. Shooting me a hundred times in the heart would hurt less.

I'll be honest, do I hate this ending because it broke my heart and yet I understand it? Yes. Do I want to burn the last twenty pages? Yes. The entire third book, actually. Do I think this book is far from perfect, but I still read it in one sitting? Yes. Do I still love this trilogy after all? Yes.


  
    “You can’t do this for me,” he said. “I won’t let you.” 
“It’s not for you. It’s not a favor. It’s the cruelest thing I could do.”
  


That's all I wanted to say, I'm going back to crying.

i am speechless . 😭 THAT ENDING BROKE ME OH MY GOD 💔 i wish things played out differently but i understood where each character came from (which makes the ending hurt even more but wtv). ANYWAYS, i loved this series so much and i'm so sad it's over 🥹 thank u r.f. kuang for writing this. thank u to chen kitay for being the best character ever. thank u to yin nezha for being the #1 cause of my mood swings. and ofc, thank u to fang runin for... what u did. i'm going to miss this series 🥲❤️

𝜗𝜚

Initially, the clash between Rin and Nezha didn’t carry the anticipated emotional weight, but the narrative seems to accelerate abruptly towards the conclusion. In retrospect, Rin’s character didn’t undergo substantial development, which proved rather annoying. Despite being the final book, it feels more like a reintroduction to the story. The repetitive aspect of Rin’s failure to achieve her goals and constantly being betrayed diminishes my overall enjoyment of the book as I progress through its pages. And although I appreciate the impactful twist Kuang introduced for the climax, the multitude of events occurring simultaneously leaves Rin’s final decision somewhat unjustified. It feels too rushed to my taste. The tension, however, is immaculate—it’s much more thrilling than the previous books, a notably praiseworthy aspect for a finalé.

Nezha, you intriguing and complex character, you. I have to admit that Nezha was far better than Rin in plotting the fight. He wasn’t driven by anger or whatever Rin had been, and that gave him a brilliant thinking. He planned with a clear head, despite his resignation to the inevitable war (like father like son, I guess). By understanding Nezha’s motives, emotional turmoil, and sincerity; it changed everything. I feel like I could love him with a new perspective.

I’ve extracted some notes from my reading journal; encompassing questions and thoughts on The Burning God:

🏹

Initially, the clash between Rin and Nezha didn’t carry the anticipated emotional weight, but the narrative seems to accelerate abruptly towards the conclusion. In retrospect, Rin’s character didn’t undergo substantial development, which proved rather annoying. Despite being the final book, it feels more like a reintroduction to the story. The repetitive aspect of Rin’s failure to achieve her goals and constantly being betrayed diminishes my overall enjoyment of the book as I progress through its pages. And although I appreciate the impactful twist Kuang introduced for the climax, the multitude of events occurring simultaneously leaves Rin’s final decision somewhat unjustified. It feels too rushed to my taste. The tension, however, is immaculate—it’s much more thrilling than the previous books, a notably praiseworthy aspect for a finalé.

Nezha, you intriguing and complex character, you. I have to admit that Nezha was far better than Rin in plotting the fight. He wasn’t driven by anger or whatever Rin had been, and that gave him a brilliant thinking. He planned with a clear head, despite his resignation to the inevitable war (like father like son, I guess). By understanding Nezha’s motives, emotional turmoil, and sincerity; it changed everything. I feel like I could love him with a new perspective.

I’ve extracted some notes from my reading journal; encompassing questions and thoughts on The Burning God:

Every time Rin trusted someone, she got stabbed in the back. It’s no news since The Poppy War, but honestly? Such a twist in Book Three is getting a bit tiresome. Same old, same old.

Had Kitay been right about the Hesperian? If they were so deeply separated by race, if the Hesperians were innately more intelligent, more capable, and more powerful—then what was the point of resistance? Why shouldn’t the world be theirs? Were they simply indisputable facts about Nikarans, not mere stereotypes they created among themselves?

Sobs.. Rin’s bond with Kitay is so precious. Don’t take them away from me.

Teetering between maintaining the forces at play in a divine realm and progressing towards a world defined by ‘order’. It leaves me wondering, Was it all worth it?

catalina

4,5.

I get it now, la historia se mueve en círculos. 

She was a goddess. She was a monster. She'd nearly destroyed this country.
And then she'd given it one last, gasping chance to live.

Michaela Hudson

+ In book 1 the characters were refreshing, in the 2nd they felt normal, but by book 3 I got a tad annoyed bc these bitches be acting like children fighting a lot and I hate children. 
+ Even while being aware that the series bases its plots heavily on symbolism and doctrines I can't help but ask why? WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO IT? Commanders indeed cull but this commander's cullings are shit. 
+ Nezha and Souji are a few characters I had hoped to see more but didnt :// 
With that being said, reading this book was still so fun, and the whole trilogy is an ✨experience✨ absolutely phenomenal im never reading this again

Isabella 

PAIN. This book is full of pain. Again, it was very well-written that I couldn't stop reading. I was more invested in this book than The Dragon Republic because I find the plot more thoroughly thought out; it was clear and intentional. I love every character; they were flawed and complex that it was really hard to find your stand on them. Imagery is amazing. I loved it so much. Now, the ending. I knew that was bound to happen. I knew, but I didn't expect it to happen that way. However, I did find it better than what I expected. (view spoiler)[I expected Nezha to kill Rin and regret afterwards; I didn't expect her to sacrifice, but it made sense on why she did. However, I disliked Venka's death. I could see why she was killed off that way; for us to never know who the spy really was, for us to see how loyal Venka really is, and if she was the spy, it would show that she was both an ally and traitor on both sides because of her loyalty. Despite those, I feel like her ending could have been better. She had gone through so much, I expected a better ending for her. (hide spoiler)] Nevertheless, I still loved this trilogy so much. This series is probably part of of my top 3 reads this year. It's amazing, and I recommend it to anyone (but please check the tw).

I don’t even have words for how much these books hurt me and how much this end hurt me…I probably should’ve seen this end coming but I didn’t and I’m not okay

Pia 

I loved this serie so much, I'm so sad to let them go... But it was such a deep, amazing and life-changing read. I loved everything, the story, the characters, the world, the themes, the writing. The characters development were so elaborate. Rin and Kitay, my babies, the end 🥺🫶🏻

The whole serie is a 5 stars, and will always have a special place in my heart.

Yenale

The end destroyed me

I loved this serie so much, I'm so sad to let them go... But it was such a deep, amazing and life-changing read. I loved everything, the story, the characters, the world, the themes, the writing. The characters development were so elaborate. Rin and Kitay, my babies, the end 🥺🫶🏻

The whole serie is a 5 stars, and will always have a special place in my heart.

The Burning God

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