The Dragon Republic

An excellent follow up to The Poppy War. I will leave out a synopsis of the story as it might spoil the first one. Kuang gave more detail to the characters from the original as well as introducing a whole new set of people that were a nice metaphor towards the real world. I know she mirrored The Poppy War to China during WWII and after realizing that it enhanced this series quite a bit. I can't wait to read the final installment. I would highly recommend this series and R.F. Kuang as an author to anyone!

I read The Poppy War a few months ago and was so impressed by it that I knew I had to read the sequel. But I kept putting it off because I just wasn't sure I could handle the darkness of it all so soon after the events of the first book. And I was completely right. This book is more intense, more grim and raises the stakes to even more heights and I enjoyed every second of it.

I really thought we had seen a lot of the world in the first book but the author managed to expand it even more and i was very impressed. We are introduced to the various warlords of the Nikara empire and their often antagonistic positions towards each other, how they are unwilling to compromise for the sake of the common people. There is a lot of talk about democracy and letting people vote, while also opposing opinions that uneducated/uncivilized people who have always been fighting can't possibly vote and decide what kind of a ruler they want. While we live in a world where democracy is considered the best form of governance, it was fascinating to read how it must have been during the olden days when it was still an idea and many didn't understand or didn't want the choice of voting.

I'm not great at geography nor do I know much about Chinese history, so I can't be sure what it's based on but the way the Dragon province, it's various interconnected river systems and it's naval capabilities are described is absolutely stunning and I loved this new setting.

We also finally get to know about the Hesperians in detail and they are obviously based on a western culture but I couldn't exactly pinpoint which one. Their profound arrogance and sense of superiority over the native population of Nikara is very much the language of the colonizers we've heard in the past and it really infuriated me. They are also a monotheistic people and their mission to rid the continent of its belief in the pantheon is very much reminiscent of the spread of Christianity through crusades and inquisitions across the world. Having recently read a history book about US using its immense power and leverage to colonize and overpower and make other countries accept its terms and standards, I couldn't help but see the same parallels in how the Hesperians dangle the promise of aid in front of the Republic to get the trade tariffs they want along with complete permission to proselytize. I suppose it was the author's intent, because I felt absolute disdain and loathing for the Hesperians and keep hoping that they'll be soundly defeated.

Even though the book is still divided into parts, I thought the plot and pacing was much more consistent this time because it's just preparation and war right from the get go, and it never lets up. The author is extremely talented at writing about military strategies, political intrigue, shifting loyalties and brilliantly executed naval battles. She is also unfazed in showing us the brutal realities of war and after having read some of it in The Poppy War, I wasn't surprised that she took it up a notch. How war changes everyone, how even fighting for a just cause doesn't stop its soldiers from being unjust, the corruption of power and how brutally the common populace suffers - it's all captured very realistically and it was sometimes even uncomfortable to read.

I was on the edge of my seat while reading because I couldn't guess who was gonna betray whom, and what twists and turns would come next and it's amazing that the while I was happy when something I predicted occurred, I was even more delighted when the author took the story in much more unexpected directions. The last 10-15% of the book which has a magnificent battle sequence was extremely tense and some of the scenes really gave me goosebumps.

Rin is such a compelling character to follow. She is angry at all the power she has and what it compels her to do, she is angry at being used as a weapon and pawn and she is furious about what happened at the end of the Poppy War - but it is all a mask so that she doesn't feel the crushing guilt of it all. She becomes more and more impulsive and makes rash decisions and lets her anger get better of her ; and there were many moments where I just wanted to shake her and make her see reason. But there was never a single moment where I stopped rooting for her and I think that's the mark of a remarkable author. And the way her character arc is written - from hitting rock bottom to gaining control to understanding what she wants to do next - it's brilliant and I can't ask for a more interesting and well written main character.

While the rest of the Cike is also present alongwith Rin, the two other characters we get to know a bit better are Kitay and Nezha. Kitay really is the master strategist and the way his mind works is a wonder to read about. I thought his frustration at being the best in the room but still being dismissed because the older generals couldn't accept his reasoning is captured very well. He is also such a good friend to Rin and I loved the development of their relationship, from somewhat antagonistic to an immense love based on respect and trust.

I really liked Nezha too for the most part but he is also an idealist who is privileged to hold the positions he does, and he never really understands that. But seeing Rin be a little tender and vulnerable with him and how he tried to protect whenever he could was very lovely to read. The Cike are the reason there is atleast some banter and levity in the book and it was interesting to see Rin go from not wanting to be their commander to genuinely bonding with them. Venka is another strong character who doesn't let adversity define her and while we got to see her only a little, I have a feeling she'll be more prominent in the next book.

To conclude, I don't think I really have much to say which hasn't already been said. This is a brilliantly written grimdark military fantasy, with compelling characters and some amazing battle sequences. If you have already loved the Poppy War, I know you're gonna love this too. But if you like this genre and haven't tried this series yet, don't wait more. Just pick it up and be ready for your mind to be blown. Definitely one of my favorite reads of this year and deserves all the accolades it's been getting.

The Poppy War was probably the most exciting debut book I read last year and so The Dragon Republic had a lot of promise to live up to. Fortunately it did not disappoint. The book starts pretty close to the end of the previous one with Rin and the Cike on the run again. Straight away we jump into the action and it never really lets up.

There is a notable increase in the bitterness in this book. This actually works quite well as the characters are getting more and more jaded by the actions and betrayals they have seen. The same semi-historic allegories are present and make the book all the more powerful for it.

With such a large amount of the fantasy oeuvre available in Europe set in a quasi-European setting it is refreshing to get the more oriental take on things. The cultural changes are subtle, but they do give a distinct and refreshing flavour to the books.

An impressive follow up to an impressive debut, and the ending leaves me anxious to start the next book!

“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.”

Usually, I am nervous when it comes to sequels to fantastic books and The Poppy War? Beyond fantastic. So, yeah, I was anxious to go into this in case it didn't live up to the first book.

I was so wrong.

Somehow, it got even better.

I'm not sure what R.F. Kuang puts in their books but whatever it is, it's addictive and I can't get enough of it. I wanted to read The Dragon Republic in one sitting and I found myself angry when I couldn't do just that. That's how you know it's a great book.

The Dragon Republic had all the fantastic things that the first book had but elevated.

It's not often that you read a series that makes you angry that you took so long to pick it up.

The found family that is Cike is so special to me. I love each one of these characters. I feel like I laughed, cried, mourned and felt betrayed along with them with everything that was thrown at them. This was an emotional roller coaster that I didn't want to get off.

Well, one good part about social distancing is I have time to read epic fantasy again. The Poppy War was one of the best books of 2018. I'm glad to see the Dragon Republic staying on track. It's still brutal (it's even more of a war story than the first novel) and Rin can be frustrating sometimes, but she grows in a way that is satisfying and even inspiring. Kuang is masterful in the art of creating no good choices. Every time you think things are bad, they will get work. Not the happiest read, and not for anyone with physical/sexual violence triggers, but you know, I'm not in a happy place right now, so this worked for me. If you liked the Poppy War, you should continue the series. If you were meh on the Poppy War, know that this book doubles down on the pain.

The Dragon Republic

CAWPILE SCORE
C-7
A-7
W-8
P-7
I-6
L-7
E-6
TOTAL-6.86/10

CAWPILECharacters.Kuang's characters still seem fully realized and like individual people. The relationships that are built and destroyed follow the way most relationships go. The relationship between Nezha and Rin felt very organic and real.Rin was very realistic, from wanting to forget her past decisions to just doing whatever the person in charge of her tells her to do, to absolve her own guilt.AtmosphereThe Atmosphere that Kuang has written is all pervasive. The dirty, the depression, the want for release. The very realistic depiction of war and what happens to all the people in war. WritingThe writing in this book is great. Her skill at prose is obvious.PlotThe plot makes sense. Rin wants revenge on the Vipress for betraying their country. So she goes through/with several people to get it. However it felt a bit repetitive. Work for—Betrayal--- Work for---Betrayal. It felt like all that happened it this book was a series of Betrayals over and over again.InvestmentMy Investment of this book varied widely there were lots of parts I didn't care about at all, and other parts where I just wanted more. LogicThe only thing that really felt crazy to me was how much betrayal is in this book. Everybody betrays everybody else all the time. Rin is usually the one being betrayed. The competence of certain leaders (Jinzha) felt very real EnjoymentThis book was good, but I'm not sure I can say that I enjoyed it. This definitely isn't in my normal go to for Fantasy books.MiscLearning that Nezha is a Shaman/Half-Shaman. So cool.The Ketreyids and Naimeds was cool, wish we could've learned moreSeeing the Trifecta in their Peak was cool. Wish we knew more about Daji (Vipress) final plan, since she escaped at the endNezha's Betrayal the very end. End of the Cike
I will be talking about it on Libromancy https://libromancy.podbean.com/

 I am just completely infatuated by R.F. Kuang's writing at this point.  I really loved The Poppy War (this book's predecessor) as well as Babel (her standalone novel released earlier this year) so I had high expectations eading into this one.  Even then I was totally blown away by The Dragon Republic.    I've spoken before about how writing the second part of a trilogy can be tough because it lacks the excitement of a new beginning that the first part has while also missing the satisfaction of a conclusion that the third part has.  I've seen authors try to tackle this conundrum in a few ways but Kuang has done it in the simplest way possible: by writing an undeniably intriguing story.  The Dragon Republic expertly builds upon everything that was started in The Poppy War and expands it.     The characters here are excellent.  We have all of our old favorites in Rin, Kitay, the Cike etc while also adding the prominent figures behind each of Nikan's provinces.  The main one we are introduced to is Vaisra, leader of the Dragon province and Nezha's father.  He is just a blast to read here as this commanding, seductive figure.  Kuang deserves a lot of credit for writing the scenes between him and Rin with underlying sexual tension that feels so wrong and yet so desirable.  He's a big part of why this book is so good and I can't wait to see his role in the trilogy's conclusion.  I also want to shout out Nezha, who was introduced in the last book but is explored with much more complexity here.  He shines a lot in his role and elevates the book in a similar way to his dad.  If I were to say one reason why this book is so good it's these two.    I... honestly don't know what else to say at this point.  This isn't my favorite Kuang book but I do think it's her best that I've read up to now.  I'm sure she'll surpass herself with the conclusion to this trilogy. 

Deel één deed even denken dat het Harry Potter In China-maar-dan-niet-écht-China zou worden, maar het werd redelijk snel duidelijk dat het niet dát soort boek was. Dat het een hervertelling van de Tweede Chinees-Japanse Oorlog, maar dan alsof het honderd jaar eerder was in een andere wereld, met ook magie en sjamanen en alles.

Deel twee gaat op datzelfde elan verder. Het hoofdpersonage is een tiener, en dus verwacht een mens ergens dat er toch iéts van romance zou in de lucht hangen. Er zijn twee mogelijke kandidaten voor een relatie met Rin: één persoon die eigenlijk al dood is (maar dat belet niet noodzakelijk iets in boeken zoals dit) en één persoon die in boek één haar aartsvijand is (maar ook dat belet niet noodzakelijk iets).

Niets van: Rin is diep getraumatiseerd (zoals iemand die uit verdriet en woede een massamoordenaar werd wel eens kan worden), is totaal verslaafd aan opium, en sluit een pact met (de vader van) haar voormalige aartsvijand. Die man heeft het plan opgevat om de Keizerin van haar troon te stoten en het land om te vormen naar een soort democratie.

Hij hoopt daarbij hulp te krijgen van de Westerlingen.

Ik verklap niet veel als ik zegt dat ook dit boek niet zo goed afloopt. Maar ik vond het wél veel beter dan het eerste boek. Volwassener, en zonder dat mossel-noch-vis-begin: het is meteen duidelijk dat het menens is, en dat het niet om sprookjes gaat.

Book Trigger warning. Book involves brutal wars based on racism and genocides.

I received this book as a Giveaway and needed to read the Poppy Wars one first. Incredible weaving of history and shamans together in a character driven story. The main character is actually unlikable, but actually grows or hardens like young adults (children) would actually be like. She responds differently and thinks differently as books progress, which is rare to see. Usually only shallow cosmetic changes in other books. Already starting the 3rd!

I am absolutely reeling from the end of this book. I never thought I would like military fantasy quite so much as I've loved the Poppy War trilogy so far, but as the stakes keep rising for characters I've grown to...not exactly “love” so much as know as if they were real people since book 1, this entry is setting the stage for something equal parts epic and horrible in the conclusion.

That said, shit, I need a breather before continuing. This one was exhausting.

The Third Poppy War may have ended, but the Dragon Warlord still seeks to conquer the land. Adrift and on the run with her Cike, Rin is swept up into the Warlord’s plan. Start a civil war and from the ashes create a new democratic Republic. But Empress Daji will never give up her hold. Honed for war, Rin jumps to the cause and with her Phoenix God aims to end Daji’s rule once and for all.

The Dragon Republic is a brutal tale of war and how it touches the lives of everyone forced to be a part of it. The devastation wrought by the character’s previous choices in The Poppy War will be exposed in this second novel. R.F. Kuang broadens the reader's awareness of the famine and destruction causing thousands to become refugees. And as the characters witness the results of their actions, the mental battle begins as they come to terms with what they have done. Or, some simply turn to addiction to seal away the emotions, refusing to confront what has occurred.

Throughout the novel, Rin is at war with herself. Torn between doing what she believes is her purpose, and dealing with the aftershocks. A snap decision on the field of battle may secure a victory, but what happens after the dust has settled and the bodies lay festering? The Dragon Republic shows how a girl raised to believe she is a tool to be used, can turn into one of the deadliest soldiers. And how the conflicting emotions of choices made in the heat of battle can haunt a person long after the battle has ended.

Rin is an unlikeable character. Oftentimes she is both selfish and self-destructive. Instead of facing her problems, she charges ahead, keeping her mind busy with war and who will be her next target. It is easier to be angry and strike out at those around her versus owning up to her past mistakes. But at the same time, R.F. Kuang uses Rin’s moments of weakness to show how she became such a detrimental character.

This grimdark military fantasy will spare no one. Be prepared to dive into the darkest depths of war, and all the chaotic and tangled relationships that come along with it. Choosing a side isn’t so easy when friends are on the opposite one. But war is war, and Rin will live up to her full potential as a deadly shaman no matter the costs.

4,5/5⭐️
Dit boek was cool! Er is zo veel gebeurd in dit boek. Eerst dat Rin zichzelf niet onder controle had en toen naar de dragon warlord ging. Toen wist ik al dat dit een heel vet boek ging worden. Daarna tegen Daji en nog veel meer. Ook Feylen die aan de kant van Daij staat en dus tegen Rin vecht. Rin die ineens vleugels heeft

Wow, this book improved upon The Poppy War in every way! Kuang's prose, sense of tone, plotting, and characterizations went way up. I was riveted the entire time by Rin's journey, the plot, the supporting characters, and the worldbuilding. I am a huge sucker for “people find out about more technologically advanced societies”, and watching Rin discover more about Hesperian culture was great.

Lots of dark things happen in this series and Kuang displays such a maturity in dealing with them. Another thing I love about this series is the male/female friendship is done very well. It's so rare for m/f friends in media to admit to loving each other and actually saying it out loud to each and risking their lives for one another without there being some sort of “bUt oNe oF thEM is aKUALLY in LUV”.

Rin is such a well-written character, one of my favorites ever. I absolutely hate almost every decision she has ever made, and yet, I root for her to get justice, to get revenge, to save the nation. This is so hard to pull off because if I was around Rin for more than 11 seconds, I would probably kick her in the shins.

That said, I do have one minor problem with this book, involving characterization. I'll mask the issue so that people who haven't read it aren't spoiled but people who have read it will know what I'm talking about:

Character A is incredibly upset at Character B. Character B did something unforgivable. Character A spends a portion of the novel not speaking to Character B. They have a brief chat discussing their reactions to trauma, and then they are friends again. Not long after, Character A has to make an INCREDIBLY LIFE ALTERING SACRIFICE to help Character B. Character A does it immediately, without hesitation, without knowing the risks/rewards, and with Character B protesting that they do it at all.

This just didnt work for me at all. As great as Kuang is at characters and dealing with their trauma, this definitely felt like “I need X to happen, so they're just gonna forgive each other immediately” and I hate that. I understand that for the story to go where Kuang needed it to, event X had to happen. But the journey of forgiveness or maybe the decision to make the sacrifice should have been done over a longer time/with more depth. It was such a series-altering and life-altering decision and I couldn't believe character A would do this so quickly.

But that said- I thoroughly enjoyed everything else. I cannot WAIT to dive into book 3.