Goodreads Monday is a weekly meme where we randomly select a book from our Goodreads To Be Read list and share it with the world.
The Poppy War
by R.F. Kuang
Fantasy
544 pages
Published May 1st, 2018 by Harper Voyager
From Goodreads: When Rin aced the Keju, the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies, it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
I’ve seen nothing but good reviews for this book. Not gushy reviews that hype it up beyond reasonable expectations. Thoughtful reviews by people whose opinions I’ve come to trust when it comes to books. I’m being lazy and not double-checking, but I think I have it on my wishlist on Overdrive, so I should add it to my Holds list sometime soon!
Traveling in Books 
Omg…for some reason I unfollowed this blog if yours!! Sorry!! Was wondering why I was only seeing pictures!!
Oops! I can see how it would happen, though. WordPress’s layout it a bit weird…
Just refollowed!!
Woohoo!