The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
Adult, fantasy
E-ARC, 560 pages
This book was provided to me by Edelweiss free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies.
With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do.
But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord’s motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix’s deadly power. Because there is nothing she won’t sacrifice for her country and her vengeance.
My Review
5 stars
When I read The Poppy War last year I was utterly blown away, so like any normal human I didn’t think it was possible for Kuang to out do her first book. How do you take a book that’s the perfect intersection of gripping, heart-wrenching, and exciting and make it better? I’m still not sure, but I can tell you somehow she managed it.
Just a warning, this whole review is going to be very gushy and potentially a little rambley because I am still unable to control myself. I promise there will be at least a few coherent thoughts in here… hopefully.
R.F. Kuang showed off some serious writing ability with her first book, and The Dragon Republic is only better. She’s not overly descriptive, but it fits the story she’s telling incredibly well. The master of introspection, I don’t think I’ve ever read an adult fantasy book that’s given me such a detailed look at the main character and their thought process. Every decision Rin makes is well explained and you understand why she makes it even if it’s not the choice you would made. Which let’s be honest, it usually isn’t.
As a fantasy lover world building is one of my favourite parts of any book, and unique world building is a plus. This book takes what was already one of the most interesting magic systems I’ve ever read, and went further with it. The Dragon Republic gives us a more in depth exploration of not just the magic, but the politics and history of this world that Kuang has created. It both leaves you reeling and craving more.
Of course, world building doesn’t make a book, but as with The Poppy War all the pieces come together in such a way that is cohesive and almost startling in the level of depth behind them. This translates most noticeably in the plot, where details you thought insignificant early in the book come back around as one piece in a ginormous puzzle. I’ll admit I know about as much about military strategy as I do thermonuclear astrophysics, which is exactly nothing, but Kuang explains everything well enough that you don’t need to have a knowledge base to understand what’s going on, and I appreciated that she took the time to put in scenes where characters were actually discussing the various tactics instead of just dumping them into the readers lap.
I feel like the only character it’s actually safe to talk about in any sort of detail without massive spoilers is Rin, but honestly, I have enough to say about her that’s probably not a bad thing. I enjoyed Rin in book 1, I thought she was an interesting character with an amusing tendency to unequivocally make the Dumb Bitch choice in any situation. I absolutely fucking loved her in The Dragon Republic. She’s such a dynamic character, entertaining to read about and so morally grey I’m sure her soul resembles concrete, complete with cracks of questionable origin.
The side characters, who I am going to talk about in the vaguest way possible, were fantastic. There actually wasn’t that many new characters that played huge roles in this installment, but there was a lot of familiar faces that I was ecstatic to see again. All the different people that populate this world are all so dynamic and complex. I think any of them could have their own books, but they work the best as pieces in Rin’s story.
As with it’s predecessor, The Dragon Republic is dark and brutal. The characters in this world aren’t exactly what we would call “good people” and they don’t always (practically never) make good decisions, but watching the trials and tribulations they go through is incredibly entertaining, even if you’re flinching the whole way through. This is a book that takes no prisoners, and honestly you’re probably better off dead than suffering through being kept alive.
If you liked The Poppy War you’re going to absolutely love The Dragon Republic, and even if you didn’t like the first one I still think this second one is worth a read.
Chat With Me
⚔️ — Have you read The Poppy War? Are you looking forward to The Dragon Republic?
⚔️ — What is a fantasy book that you love the world building of?
⚔️ — Who is your favourite morally grey character?
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