The Poppy War Review! || The Poppy War #1

My attempt to lend something slightly different to the Poppy War discussion. Come hear me talk about history, rage, and being tired.
Check out these other great Poppy War reviews!
Philip Chase: • Review of R.F. Kuang’s...
Jessie: • THE POPPY WAR REVIEW
Elliot: • THE POPPY WAR BOOK REV...
Michael Knipp: • Let's Talk About The P...
Goodreads: / libraryofallenxandria
IG: / library.of.allenxandria
Patreon: / allenxandria
Discord: / discord
Music courtesy of: www.reverbnation.com/teknoaxe
For the generous souls who wish to bestow upon me the blessing of books! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls...

[@merreads]

I love how efficient Kuang’s writing is. Nothing felt unnecessary to the plot, it was such a quick read!

[@merreads]

Same with the shift to war. It was quite jarring but Kuang is totally right as in war cannot be prepared for. How the characters reacted was incredibly realistic.

[@merreads]

Such a great review! You definitely added to the conversation, I loved hearing about your experience reading the book.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@merreads Thanks so much! I was breathless with the pace of this book but it was SO GOOD.

[@PsyKotyK]

Nice im looking forward to this series

[@rosieblue1689]

Ok thi is literally the best spoiler free review i've ever come across. You described the entire book in detail without spoiling anything

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Omigosh, thank you so much! 😊

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

I really enjoyed this review, Allen! It’s especially interesting to see your take, which is a bit different from mine, given your educational background. You certainly did add to the discussion! While I like Rin a bit more than you seem to, I can agree that she makes awful choices and would have benefited from some intense therapy. But, for me, she’s the strength of the book, which is excellent overall, though I have different criticisms of it from yours. If I gave stars (I don’t because I hate grading), I’d probably go with four out of five, but I’m excited to read The Dragon Republic soon. Also, I look forward to your historical video, from which I expect to learn a lot. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Always good to hear from you! Thanks for the kind words! I think Rin is fascinating and I can't quite find anyone analagous to her in the other books I've read, but I just cannot get behind her. The only thing that keeps me from actively rooting AGAINST her is that the Mugenese are monstrous. I'm reading Dragon Republic next month and am super excited to see what kind of historical parallels are there, considering who Kuang has said Rin is based off of! I also hate grading. So much.

[@SarahsNightstand]

"Chinese Draco..." I'm dying, lol! I loved this review. I really loved the book as well, but man, Rin drove me nuts! Like, I'm not on her side yet. I'm super excited to read the other two books and see where it goes. I'm so interested in your details on the actual history of everything. I'm totally wanting to do some research now. I gave it 4 stars because I struggled so hard with Rin. But man, that one chapter....I included clips of me reading that chapter in my reading vlog and I was physically cringing. That was hard.

[@alexnieves]

I absolutely loved the Poppy War and I need need neeeeed to get Dragon Republic read before Burning God drops in November. I love how passionate you are about the books you read Allen! This book kicked ass and it's super cool that you are taking it further to do a video on the historical implications and reality behind the story. SO GOOD! Rin is definitely a character that is hard to cheer for, she's pretty garbage at times. She reminds me of Tau from Rage of Dragons to be honest.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm so pumped to read Dragon Republic next month. From who I hear Rin is based off of, I have some wild predictions on the path of the story! I am so torn when I read Rin which is kind of why I like her, but the plot of this book more than makes up for any problems I have with her. Thanks so much for watching!

[@AbbySalter]

Chinese Draco, Chinese Snape 🤣 I love your character analysis of Rin. Great review Allen!

[@AbbySalter]

Also love the dramatic end music!!! So intense!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I mean, am I wrong? They seem exactly like those HP characters! Thanks for watching, Abby!!

[@AbbySalter]

The Library of Allenxandria you are not wrong! 😂

[@Johanna_reads]

How funny! Those were the exact 4 reviews I immediately clicked on after finishing the book (yours is now the 5th). I got chills when you said she didn't include all the atrocities that were in the real battle. Wow. I agree with many of your thoughts on Rin. So many say her choices were understandable. While there were parts, like Part 2, when she didn't have much agency (as you mentioned), I felt like she did have choices in part 3. She wasn't totally naive, ignorant, or a total victim of her trauma. I couldn't quite empathize with her at that point, but I also kind of appreciated that. She is one of the most complicated characters I have ever encountered, and I love her for that. I am still questioning whether her transformation throughout the book makes sense, but I am so intrigued! Lastly, I also love characters who stand for ideals! LOVE that! For that reason alone, I suspect you'll appreciate Leviathan Wakes.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Yesss that makes me excited for Leviathan Wakes! And I agree, Rin gets much of her agency back in the 3rd part of the book. I like her as a character, while actively looking for someone else to like better lol. I'm so excited to see what happens in TDR. Thanks so much for watching!

[@stephaniesbookverse1098]

I can't wait for the video on the history of the book! I'm really excited about it!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Hopefully that's coming soon. Work on it was stalled due to school demands. 😭😭😭

[@QuestLegacy]

First of all, thank you so much for the shout-out! Second. I loved your insight into this one. Hearing your take and why you felt the ways you felt was super interesting to me. Thank you for this video

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thank you for watching! I loved your take on TPW. Do you plan on continuing the series?

[@QuestLegacy]

The Library of Allenxandria I will but I’m not sure when

[@TheNerdyNarrative]

I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this review - you did a fantastic job!!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

thanks so much, Lezlie!!

[@zachary37]

"There's nothing extraneous in here" agreed, I couldn't believe how much happened in so few pages. And that's not a complaint; it never felt rushed, it just felt extremely well paced. You could make two full seasons of a TV show with this one book. I agree about the tonal shift of the war. I think people need to go into this book knowing it's going to be brutal, but I'm happy with the shift because you're absolutely right. War just happens. These are kids who have barely graduated, they have no idea what war is. I studied the Rape of Nanjing in uni so I was also expecting most of the atrocities listed...still the whole chapter made me incredibly uncomfortable. It says a lot about how awful humans can be that Kuang didn't make any of it up. Some vague spoilers following... I think I must be a terrible person because I actually don't feel that Rin is that bad of a person ;P I mean she definitely does some horrific things, but for most of the book I think she's a young girl who's reacting normally to the failure of her mentor figures. She's never really had anyone there for her until Sinegard, and even then the people who are trying to teach her basically give up on her the moment she shows signs of not agreeing with them. Everyone's quick to judge her but nobody around her offers her ANY other options, basically just " run away" or "don't be a monster too" when she's essentially staring in the face of extinction. The only people who stay by her are those who encourage her rage, so why wouldn't she give in to the rage? I DO find it was super weird that everyone is like "well shamans don't exist" and Rin and her shaman buddies are hanging out in the cafeteria just...doing shaman things lol

[@Johanna_reads]

Haha! I too feel like a terrible person for how I feel about Rin, but for the opposite conclusion. I appreciate your thoughts though!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

YES! Why do they say no one believes in shamans yet everyone knows about the Cike? And you're absolutely right! She is surrounded by bad influences (Jiang notwithstanding) and she does make the best decision she's able to when it comes to survival. Had she done what Jiang wanted, there is no guarantee she would even have lived, right? So cool to see someone who also studied Nanjing prior to this book! Thanks for your great comment!

[@zachary37]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria Yeah and Jiang, while a positive influence, chooses to avoid or ignore her when she doesn't do what he wants. Like no duh she's not going to become an enlightened monk, the dude basically gives up on her twice, and his solution to the whole invasion is just hide away, we can't help, we'll just make things worse. (I'm not saying Jiang didn't have the right idea for himself, but he was terrible at teaching, as evidenced by all of his pupils basically turning into killers against his wishes)

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

@@zachary37 rather than teaching them to control it, he wanted to teach them to never use it at all, which, as anyone who's ever known a teenager, isn't going to work

[@teanlit2949]

So pleased to hear your views on this book. A lot of other BookTubers have been talking about it, but I like your perspective on things.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thanks so much!

[@fredfrond6148]

Great honest review. You may not like Rin and what drives her, but I must say it makes the book more interesting. Yes the book is intense and the story is intense.

[@StaceyReads]

Yay - I was finally able to watch this! I agreed with so many of your thoughts! =) I definitely knew what you meant at the end - it's an excellent 5 star book just in an unexpected way that felt different than your other 5 stars. I also felt less effected by some of the content having read about the exact same stuff in historical fiction before.

[@JessieMaeBooks]

Allen! This was review was SO GOOD! I loved it all and hearing your perspective! I loved hearing you describe Rin as a character, so spot-on!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thanks so much, Jessie! I like how we both gave the book 5 stars, yet we completely think opposite of Rin herself!

[@seaivy1]

I love your videos! While I don’t like Rin as a person I appreciate her as a character. I like when the paradoxical nature of a person is displayed.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thanks so much! And yes, I think Rin is a great character, but I hate her. I'm not sure I've ever been in this position before where I'm tentatively rooting for her, while actively seeking a better option to throw my support behind lol

[@noelnovels6511]

I absolutely can NOT wait until to you come out with the History behind Poppy War! I love love love history and after reading this and Panchinko by Min Jin Lee I have been fascinated by Asian history!!

[@fredfrond6148]

Great review from somebody who understands the historical backdrop of both Western and Asian history.

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Just finished Poppy War and you just absolutely nailed it with this review. Lots to like and so much was engaging, but there weren’t characters you could get super invested in and root for, which made it a bit emotionally hollow of an experience.

[@Tarasreadingnook]

Another awesome review. I liked all 3 parts even the heard hitting scenes

[@sampasslow-thomas945]

I'm so excited for your thoughts on The Dragon Republic! 🍞

[@stacymccaskill-lilja2944]

I cannot wait to read this book! Great review :)

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Doooo eeet! Thanks so much for watching!

[@TheNinjaDwarfBiker]

this review is super underrated. I'm quite interested by this book now

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thanks! It's a great book!

[@avi4905]

Am watching this a year late but I just had to comment. Your review has so much to say and it is different than any other I've watched. Its so interesting to hear about your own personal experience with asian politics and culture. I totally agree with the consuming rage that is just so exhausting. The loss of focus that takes place in the last part of the book was really jarring to me as well, and the story went in so many directions, it was a bit too much to keep up with everything. Eventually its a great book that is just tough to go through. Thank you for your input.

[@navisahota1031]

What a fantastic review, Allen! I found this very insightful and appreciated your detailed analysis. And yes, I agree - SO.MUCH.RAGE

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thank you so much, Navi!!

[@oklahomaread4477]

You had me at fast-moving.

[@stever8147]

I'm so glad I watched this review Allen. I have to say, one of the best book reviews I've watched. There was always something that didn't quite work for me with this book, even though it ticked a lot of my favourite boxes. I was starting to think I had missed something, as everybody else viewed it with near perfection, so I couldn't quite figure out why I didn't get the same warm fuzzy feeling. Listening to your comments on the characters and not feeling that you could root for them really struck a chord with me and I think you hit the nail on the head.....I just didn't like any of the characters. I had previously talked myself out of reading book 2, but I think I'll give it a go now that you've helped me figure out what wasn't quite jiving with me on this one. Great stuff, keep them coming!!!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I'm so glad the review helped you figure out what might have been off-putting about it. Thank you for watching and for your kind words!

[@karlagil7105]

oh i thought this was that video about the history of the poppy war, i fooled myself... but i’m really excited about it and i really liked this review!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

lol thanks! The history video should be coming up in the next week or so!

[@ezraholbrook8893]

I'm currently reading Poppy War and am watching this video in pieces as I read. I absolutely love your take on the book Walker! The only thing I dislike is how much these videos make me miss class.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Ezra!!! I miss you guys so much! Im glad you're liking the book though! I loved it and will be reading the next book next month!

[@TheBookishMom]

I have been WAITING for this!!!! I really love that you loved one of my favorite books! You totally add a lot of interesting things to the conversation, especially with your background in history! I CAN'T WAIT until the history of the Poppy War video! THE SAT doesn't count haha I never took it... like legit NEVER took it and didn't care haha Have you been to the author's Instagram and watched her "drunk poppy war" video yet? you should if you have not yet!

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I have not yet seen that! Also, the SAT and ACT are garbage, but those exams over there are INSANE. The Chinese college entrance exam is one of the most high-pressure exams in the world because, if you do poorly on it, you're essentially going to have a life on the farm because no college is going to let you in. It's madness.

[@TheBookishMom]

@@TheLibraryofAllenxandria yeah, Kuang actually talks about those tests in her video, which made me think of it! I couldn't imagine having that much pressure on me at that age

[@sarahgent3729]

Amazing review

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thank you so much!

[@kennymocivnik6408]

After watching your video, I have to add this book to my TBR.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Dooooo eeeeet.

[@isvimishra2000]

I absolutely love this series and this might just be the best review i’ve seen of this book. I completely agree with you- in both the strengths & weaknesses you talk about. You really put things to perspective. Would love to know your opinions on the other books in this series.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Thanks! I liked the series, though I didn't love the last book.

[@LadyOfTheEdits]

The Poppy War is the best book I've ever read!!

[@Tarasreadingnook]

Kitay is even better in Dragon Republic

[@samuelleask1132]

My gosh this book is great but soooo dark

[@Tarasreadingnook]

It did feel real & I didnt know much about the real history

[@KDbooks]

We need a book which meets the horrible minus on the kinfen system

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

In my life, I would put only Catcher in the Rye as a book that was Horrible Minus. It is hard because it is unlikely I would ever pick up a book that I would rate that low!

[@anthonnygeoffrey7071]

why doesn't anybody mentions how the battles are so poorly written and taht the whole setting of the war makes no sense. I'm at the middle of book 1 and i still dont understand what kind of military techology they have acces to. One chapter they train with a fighting staff, the other a ceasfire is agreed on, the next there is a battle with swords and bow and arrows, the next an island is bombed... just what the hell is happening

[@eddiec2711]

Pa'Tunk!!!!! Here's an idea for these exclamation words, sell T-shirts !!!!!I'm just saying👍💵💴💶💰

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

Oh my gosh YESSSSS

[@eddiec2711]

The Library of Allenxandria I hope your do it! ka'chunk!!!

[@sleeplessbard2519]

Poppy war spoilers I don't think it was the shift to gritty war but more the shift to squad of insane killers that aren't serious and joke about killing and we get a person made of water and everyone's quirky.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

WORD

[@PsyKotyK]

Good job all the negative reviews i hear for this series are pretty weak . This book is in a setting and time i find very interesting . Im rrqlly into chinese weopeons and warfare so im excited for this book. I seen alot of childish rant videos over this book . So tired of videos of people hating on stuff

[@Tarasreadingnook]

First

[@bryson2662]

I like this book a lot but part of what I didn't enjoy was the rape of Nanking parts literally felt like I had read them from a history book. I also don't think it's fair to say the atrocities in the sino Japanese war are not taught in the west. I was taught about them in high school and learned more in college when I majored in Japanese history. I liked that the Poppy War is heavily influenced by The Sino Japanese war and the opium wars but i wish it didn't resemble them so much that it took me out of the story. That said, I am really looking forward to book 3.

[@TheLibraryofAllenxandria]

I can understand that. If you're not looking for something to so closely mirror history, then yeah, certain sections of this book are definitely not for everyone. I never thought about someone NOT finding that as cool as I did, lol. And I'm sure it is taught SOMEWHERE, but certainly not in my area and I didn't know anyone personally other than those in my college classes who knew anything about Japan's conquest of China in the 30s. It's awesome your degree was related to Japan! My minor was in Japanese! Thanks for watching!