The Poppy War

December 1, 2017

Top scores on an empirewide test land Rin at a prestigious military school, but being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south gets her taunted by classmates. That's how she learns she possesses shamanic powers, which will come in handy when the Third Poppy War arrives. A debut inspired by 20th-century Chinese history; with a 75,000-copy first printing.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 5, 2018
Debut novelist Kuang creates an ambitious fantasy reimagining of Asian history populated by martial artists, philosopher-generals, and gods. War orphan Fang Runin (“Rin”) escapes abusive foster parents by gaining admission to the Nikara Empire’s prestigious military academy. Though stigmatized because of her peasant background, she earns top grades and wins the annual martial arts tournament. But she refuses a typical apprenticeship and instead goes to study with the academy’s disreputable Lore Master Jiang, who despairs of reviving the discredited shaman traditions. Finding her way to the home of the gods, Rin is forced to choose between obeying her master’s warnings against abuse of power and unleashing divine retribution when the island nation of Mugen, armed with chemical and biological weapons, invades and massacres civilians. Kuang highlights the horrors of war, especially the moral and emotional toll on combatants who employ scorched-earth strategies. Heroic responses pale in view of the collateral damage that they trigger, and the novel does not allow its characters to slough off their culpability for channeling godly powers. Readers may empathize with Rin’s desire for vengeance, but any thrill at her success is matched by horror at its costs. This is a strong and dramatic launch to Kuang’s career.

May 1, 2018
An adopted war orphan of unknown heritage has few prospects. But Fang Runin, called Rin, is stubborn and clever. To everyone's astonishment, she gains admittance to Sinegard, the Empire's premier military institute. The academy is devoted to training the next generation of martial leaders, preparing them for war with the Federation, the neighboring island nation they barely defeated during the Second Poppy War. The competition among first-year pupils is fierce, and Rin aspires against all odds to beat out the others for an elite apprenticeship. She surprises her fellow students?and the instructors?by choosing to study with Master Jiang, an eccentric old man many believe to be a crazy, drug-addicted war criminal. Despite being a brutal and often frustrating teacher, Jiang encourages Rin to explore her innate talent for the mystical art of shamanism, although she feels he may be holding something vital back. How can she defend the Empire if she cannot control her power? Set in an alternate version of historical China, Kuang's debut will appeal to fans of epic military fantasy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)