Welcome to Litsy!

Wow there was a lot of book in this read😅 starting off as a lowly shop girl and ending several years later in a war torn country and that‘s all in the first book! Interesting concepts of shamanic power intertwined with Chinese history and mythology. I found I was much more interested at the beginning of the book and lost it a little towards the middle but the ending came back around. Look forward to the next one!

This was a beast of a book, but so engaging that it didn‘t feel long. Rin is an excellent heroine, who grows and changes so much during this epic tale. War, gods, shamanism, friendship and everything in between, it somehow didn‘t feel like too much to digest. And a really interesting part of world history that I didn‘t know anything about before, even though through a fictional lens. Can‘t wait to start book 2!

Absolutely love this book!!! With a great cast of characters and an interesting plot that keeps you interested the entire time. Definitely recommend this one

Wow. That was a lot, but it was wow. Definitely getting the second and third books asap.

"'Take your clothes off.'"

#FirstLineFridays

@ShyBookOwl

About 150 pages into this one and I'm loving it! The world, the writing, the characters are everything i love to find in fantasy.

Also, pictured above is a toasted marshmallow hazulnut latte and wow. A+.

I am RIDICULOUSLY excited for this one!

this seasons #bookclub read.. I‘ve been waiting on it from the library so let‘s see how fast I can read it

I liked #ThePoppyWar a lot more on my reread. The story seemed to make more sense, and I think I understand Rin a bit better now. I hope I will get to read the sequel soon, before I forget everything again!

#RFKuang

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

October 18 - The Daily Photo Challenge - Prompt: orange

🔴 6 points

#scarathlondailyprompts #orange #scarathlon22 #teammonstermash #scarathlon #sweetvenom #dailyphotochallenge #newpost #viral #spookyseason #halloweenreads #halloweenvibes #halloween #bookporn #trending #horror

I started out thinking that this book had a Hunger Games vibe. Was reading along and then by page 300 I didn‘t care what happened. 🥴. I think I needed a human connection in this story and that was not taking place. It‘s just not for me..half reading happens.

Wowwowwoww, this book almost hit the top ten book shelf, wonderful story writing with great character development. Had me reminiscing some of my favorite parts of The KingKiller Chronicles series but with it‘s own unique style. Started this series while waiting for Babel to release, but now looking forward to continuing this series in book 2!

I feel...conflicted. i really like the world building and even many of the characters but dang DANG BRO. I also just ended up really disliking some critical characters enough where I'm like "do i even like this book?!" I do but it just mentally exhausting ⚠️ extreme violence ⚠️ not throughout but at some point yeah, like think AoT and GoT #bookspin #bookspinbingo

'Parallels with modern Chinese history resonate deeply and darkly in this blood-soak epic of orphans and expresses, gods and shamans'

I listened to the audio and oh dang was this good! The narrator does an awesome job handling the large cast and this book is action packed and gory and gritty. It shows the horror of war against the background of a type of imperial culture and it was amazing. Please be aware of triggers!

⭐️3.6
Was expecting a lot more of this story since I‘ve heard good things about it. Although the characters in dept emotions were described in a real way and the historical background of this made me feel intrigued of the story. I wish the bromance or particularly “romance” would have been more built up. The narrator of the book were truly amazing and made the book more enjoyable during my commutes.
#bookspin #juneread #bookchallenge

Continuing with this amazing book, snuggling up with tea 🍵 and the audiobook. My double spin bingo
#bookspin #doublespin #thepoppywar #rfkuang #readingjune

🦋I‘ll give it 3 stars so far it‘s a solid read and I like the world building.
🦋 So far the best is probably daughter of the moon goddess
🦋I am grateful for the time I can spend doing what I want end of my senior year
#wondrouswednesday #challenge
Tagging @KristiAhlers @TheAromaofBooks @BookishRedhead

This was a second try book for me. I originally tried in print when it first came out. I listened to it on audio and man did it get dark. Especially when hearing it out loud. It started out as a boarding school book and then turns into a war story. I‘m interested to see where this series is going.

I‘m using it for #ownvoices #sff #pop22 prompt
#marvelousmay #readathon

An anticipated read, I‘ve heard well things about this book so looking forward starting to read it soon . What do you think about it? One of books for my bookspin 📖
#bookspin #thepoppywar #wednesdayread #blurb #rfkuang #historical #fantasy

4 out of 5!

This epic fantasy is solidly based in real China / Japan relations during the 20th century. At the same time, the main character has meaningful development as she transforms from a rural orphan to a military neophyte. She‘s charming and smart, if also completely beyond her depth. The fantasy aspects are rooted in Chinese culture and myth. Overall a win!

Full review https://www.TheBibliophage.com #thebibliophage2022
#setinchina #booked2022

Inspired by Chinese military history and Song Dynasty, Rin applies to an elite military school to get out of dire circumstances. But there is a big war on the horizon, and Rin has a more significant part to play than she even anticipated. If you like books that explore the corruption of power, lust for vengeance, and dark depths of humanity while intensely captivating, this is a book I highly recommend. Told in third person, limit point of view

Overall good book. I though begining was strong, middle fell off a bit for me but the ending was interesting. I think there are interesting themes explored but quite a heavy book that if your not in the mood for can not be enjoyable.

So I am reading this Book and I really like it. Its deep, its poetic, almost philosophical.

#Ithadtobeyou #flowers

Currently deep into The Poppy War world and not wanting to come out...

Sure hope that the 2nd and 3rd books are as good as this one is!! 🤞

When you love something, you give it new clothes. - me 😅

I picked this one up knowing it was loosely based on Asian history and folklore. Right around when the book gets to Golyn Niis it dawned on me what time period and history it was based on. About 20 years ago I read a book called The Rape of Nanking that has stayed with me because of how disturbing it was. I immediately knew the scenes this author was depicting were recreations of the true events chronicled in that book. Heavy stuff. (1)

Bring on the cold front.

We've had quite the drastic weather swing here. Nearly 90° yesterday and it's currently 42°. We are so ill prepared for cold weather that people are being asked to stay home if they can due to sleet. I'm looking forward to bundling up and getting some solid reading time in this weekend. The last time we had a cold snap our power went out across Texas and lasted for 5 days locally. Fingers crossed it doesn't get that bad this time around.

It‘s a beautiful day in south Texas. 70 and sunny. Me and my reading buddies are picking a spot in the shade to enjoy the afternoon in.

My #August pick for #12Booksin2021

Every month has been tough to pin down, but I‘m choosing this one because it stuck with me. The world building, the action and the heart break were amazing. I am planning on continuing the series this year.

“What a difference an accident of birth makes.”

#quotes

I hope you guys had an awesome Thanksgiving! I don‘t know about you but I‘m still stuffed. But it‘s Black Friday so it‘s time to check out those awesome deals. I may or may not have decided to unhaul a few books to make room on my shelf. I added all of these to my PangoBooks shop if you‘re interested in them. I‘m @wildwoodreads there too. So tell me are you a Black Friday shopper?

https://wildwoodreads.com/2021/11/26/bookish-black-friday-deals/

Today‘s #LittensDressedinBlood prompt: Orange

These are all of my orange books. 🎃
#scarathlon #teamhendrix

A good book, drags a lot in the middle, but the characters are realistic and the story is interesting if depressing. Rin makes it into the most prestigious military academy and begins training to try to harness the power of the gods. An invasion leads to unspeakable atrocities and hard choices that could lead to the end of the world. 2.5/5 stars, read this if you want a more dark fantasy world with lots of battle school & a based on history vibe.

Hello! I have a Virtual Book Club via Zoom. We've decided to recruit a few new folks. For the next year, we'll be reading selections from:

https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1027159166/best-books-science-fiction-fantasy-pas...

All current members are radical leftists, you need to cool with that.
We're currently reading The Poppy War.
My wife drew the picture. It will soon be a sticker for members.
I'm happy to provide details in the comments.

I absolutely loved this!! Who knew that an epic Chinese fantasy novel was what I need right now!! 😆 but this was grounded (think Robin Hobb meets The Name of the Wind) with amazing world building (steeped in Chinese modern history) and characters to love! Highly recommend! 👍

📚📚📚📚 Another 4 book stacks read for August! Set in a fictional world with deep mythological roots, this book moves quickly and has loads of interesting characters. It‘s set at a military school to start and then moves into wartime scenes. Some of those may be graphic for certain readers! Really good myth building, needs some more character development (book2&3?) but overall highly enjoyable.

It‘s an understatement when I say I absolutely love this series. I loved it so much I bought the last book in hardcover when the other two are softcover y‘all. The character development, the intense and graphic war scenes, the way the author infused this book with Asia‘s history is *chef‘s kiss*. I got a serious book hangover after reading this series. (7)

This was an excellent read. This is a grim-dark military fantasy inspired by Chinese culture. The first half is the poor chosen one thrust into dark academia. The second half is absolutely brutal warfare. I definitely recommend but will note some content warnings in comments. 5⭐️ (a free space for my #bookspinbingo )

Very exciting read. I can‘t wait to start the second book

I enjoyed this first book in Kuang's fantasy series. It started off feeling like Harry Potter in an Asian setting but then went off in unexpected and darker directions.

Third book finished for #NutsInMay. I may be able to finish off another before the end of the day. @Andrew65

Amazing ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.
My #bookspin book done. This was one the most amazing books that I read in 2021. The characters are well written with a good depth. I really love war stories, strategies and stuff but the gut wrenching aftermath of it described with gruesome details is really heartbreaking. Still the book held on and kept me engaged. The main character did get on my nerves a lot in the beginning but soon enough it changed..
Continued... ⬇️⬇️

“Take your clothes off“

#FirstLineFirdays @ShyBookOwl

My #bookspin. Have completed a few chapters, really mesmerising. Hope this form continues. I like the fast pace which makes the story far more interesting to me.
#bookspinbingo
#bookspin
#Keepreading

my april wrap up! (how is it already may?!!!)

45 of 2021. Day 2 finishing up a book for #20in4. This book is a great story of Chinese culture, military training and war, thrown in with a little magic. Because of the fact it is about war, it can be a little gruesome and sad, but an engaging read with good characters. I really liked it and will continue the series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#readathon #stackingtheseries #seriesread2021