The Dragon Republic (The Poppy War, 2)

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.

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672 pages

Average rating: 8.28

72 RATINGS

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8 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

lexsea
Dec 18, 2024
9/10 stars
Y’all need to leave Rin alone, expeditiously! The way RF Kuang has been able to maneuver the story is astounding. The storylines move and intersect in just the right way, and the characters are so full of life and fire, passion, flaws, heartache. I love that we got more depth to Kitay, Chaghan and Nezha in this book as well. The humor that’s sprinkled throughout is perfect and a nice reprieve from the violence when it’s present. The conclusion was so well written - it’s impossible to explain how hype the last line had me
Anonymous
Oct 22, 2024
8/10 stars
An absolutely incredible sequel to an incredible series opener. I was excited to keep reading about Rin's journey and the author did not disappoint.

It was really interesting to see the parallels between the Hesperians and Europeans and the colonial mindset as we know it, and I thought the author approached this in a really interesting way.
I was also really fascinated by Rin leaning into her rage a lot more in this book, she has so much to be angry about and it only makes sense that she would sort of stew in her own rage as the series goes on.

I also find I understand all of her decisions when I consider how desperate she is for approval from authority figures, because it seems like she changes her mind left right and centre but if you look closer everything she does is for the approval of some kind of authority figure and I am interested to see how this will pan out in the next book.

The Nerdy Narrative
Jul 19, 2024
8/10 stars
I am SO glad I don't have long to wait for the next book. Holy smokes!

The characters are not written in a way to cause me to form an emotional attachment to - and I am allllll about character driven stories....but...BUT...the plot - wow! It was just flipping masterful, so well done. What a ride!!
Anonymous
Mar 13, 2024
6/10 stars
I'm not sure how this series has kept me so engaged.  I dislike all of the characters.  They are in terrible positions and they all do terrible things. Ugh War.  I'll probably read the next one.
Anonymous
Jan 27, 2024
10/10 stars
i'll probably write a more coherent review later but right now all i can think or feel is HOLY SHIT

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