The Poppy War – R. F. Kuang (Paperback, Voyager)

The Poppy War is an electrifying debut novel by R. F. Kuang, masterfully blending grimdark fantasy with the brutal history of 20th-century China. The story follows Fang Runin ("Rin"), a war orphan who escapes poverty through sheer grit and brilliance, earning a coveted place at the elite Sinegard military academy via the rigorous Keju examination.

Once there, Rin contends with prejudice against her origins, grueling training, and the harsh realities of imperial politics. However, she soon discovers terrifying shamanic powers—born from ancient gods of fire and chaos—that threaten to consume both her and the world around her.

Kuang doesn't hold back from exposing the horrors of war, addiction, and vengeance—her narrative offers no easy answers. The Poppy War asks what victory demands of the soul, even when the enemy is brutal and the gods are real.

This paperback edition, released by HarperVoyager (Voyager imprint of HarperCollins UK) on 18 October 2018, spans 544 pages and includes a striking black-and-white map. At a compact 198 × 129 mm, it combines sweeping worldbuilding with read-anywhere convenience. Winner of multiple accolades—including WIRED’s "Best Fantasy Debut of 2018"—Kuang's novel has become a landmark in modern epic fantasy.