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The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)
The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1) | R.F. Kuang
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Mccall0113
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Matching socks and reading. We fancy in the new year!

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underground_bks
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Pickpick

Everything you‘ve heard about this brutal achievement of an epic fantasy is true—it‘s grim, dark, and will leave you gutted. Inspired by the events of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the most ghastly aspects of The Poppy War are horrific because they‘re based in historical truth. Through following Rin from child to student to soldier to shaman, R. F. Kuang graphically demonstrates the evils of imperialism and war, as well as rage and vengeance.

Leftcoastzen 😻 3mo
dabbe Hello th, sweet kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 3mo
DimeryRene I love this series. I‘m rereading it now and am almost done with book two. So so brutal. 💔💔 3mo
34 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Awk_Word_Smith
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

There‘s a line from the TV show M*A*S*H: “War isn‘t Hell. War is war, and Hell is Hell. And of the two, war is a lot worse.” It perfectly sums up R.F. Kuang‘s hyper-realistic descriptions of the atrocities of war — so much so that it actually took away my enjoyment of the book and changed my mind about how I felt about the MC. I still overall really like this book.

Awk_Word_Smith Thematically, it gave rise to not only how quickly and completely we lose our humanity in war, but also about our mental dissonance as we lay culpability on others for own own decisions, as if we had no choice and life was happening to us rather than life being a series of good and bad consequences based upon every decision we make. 6mo
21 likes1 comment
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Awk_Word_Smith
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Apparently my new favorite genre is Chinese military fantasy. Who knew?

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DimeryRene
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

I loved this book in print. I may love it even more on audio. Hearing all the names and places pronounced properly is wonderful.

22 likes1 stack add
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CatMS
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I am not a fantasy reader but reading reviews of the Poppy War trilogy saying it is not a typical fantasy series and non-fantasy readers are enjoying this trilogy. What are your thoughts? Are you a non-fantasy reader that read this series? I would love comments as I am considering reading. Thanks everyone 🥰

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Melancholy2243
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Pickpick

I am just unsure about the words I can choose to talk about this book. It's horrifying, devastating, all consuming exactly like the Phoenix it speaks of. It's like a burning sensation I have swallowed. It turns my mouth into ashes. Yet, it was a necessary experience. To feel the pains of war. To know what man can do to man. And the horrors it wreaks.

55 likes1 stack add
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BBooks
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Yes, late to this party 📚. Really enjoyed it, perfect no but went right out and bought the 2nd book in the trilogy. This was a debut 😯 pretty impressive 👏

GatheringBooks Read the entire trilogy a few months back - my best reads this year. 8mo
9 likes1 comment
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GatheringBooks
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#SummerSpecial Day 16: #SnakeDay seems apt for this first novel in the Poppy War trilogy with the betrayal, treachery, deception inherent in such a turbulent fantastical world. Kuang‘s world-building is exquisitely layered.

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 8mo
RebL What‘s for lunch, bestie? 😋 8mo
57 likes1 stack add2 comments
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BBooks
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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We're having a busy Sunday 📚🐾

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Skeeterisme
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Epic

57 likes1 stack add
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GatheringBooks
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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#MarchMagic Day 28: I am loving everything this brilliant #AuthorOfColor writes. I am reading her backwards - read her Babel first which I could not put down. Now this book has my heart racing like crazy. The plan is to read the trilogy while on Spring Break this week. Halfway through first book. I doubt I would be able to finish all 3 books this week, but good intentions count for something, methinks.

Eggs Happy Spring Break 🥳 12mo
53 likes1 comment
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Honeybeebooks
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

As a war orphan, Rin has little chance to escape her life as unpaid labor for her opium dealing foster parents, but she is bright & determined. Passing the Keju she earns a spot at the prestigious Sinegard military academy. There she learns military strategy & shamanism. When war threatens the kingdom, even students like Rin must fight. Great start, sags in the middle and arresting ending. Four⭐️s for this first in a trilogy.

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TrishB
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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#motherdaughterread
I‘ve literally just started the book I brought today….daughter reading Poppy War. We have booked to go and see Kuang talk in May.

thewallflower0707 The Poppy War is a heavy emotional roller coaster, so jealous you are going to meet Kuang! 12mo
batsy That's cool about the Kuang talk! That should be interesting. 12mo
Cathythoughts Enjoy your day ❤️ 12mo
TrishB @thewallflower0707 @batsy I‘m really looking forward to it. I can‘t believe her output so far and she‘s so young! (Says the old woman over here). 12mo
TrishB @Cathythoughts thank you 😘 12mo
84 likes1 stack add5 comments
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GatheringBooks
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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#MarchMagic Day 24: #CurrentlyReading - Rin is the perfect #KickAssFemaleHeroine - I have a feeling I would fall in love with this series. Is read RF Kuang backwards since I started with Babel which I devoured a few weeks ago. Tagged book is paired with piping-hot oven baked cheesy singary prawns. 🦐🍤

Eggs Well done 😋 12mo
56 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Bookish_Viking
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Meshell1313 Awesome! 🙌⭐️ 12mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 12mo
12 likes2 comments
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Bookish_Viking
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Aelin (ToG series) - The journey she takes from book .5 to book 7 I think would break any other character. Strong, determined, fierce.

Rin (The Poppy Wars) - Quickly becoming a favorite character, Rin is fantastic. Witty, bold and takes no crap.

Tezza (Fate of the Fallen series) - Simply hilarious and strong willed.

#WonderousWednesday @Eggs

Eggs Well done 👍🏼 🙌🏻👏🏻 12mo
8 likes1 comment
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Honeybeebooks
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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“Pain could make her focus….The day she took the exam, her arms were covered with burn scars.”

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BekaReid
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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When you're trying to study but have temptation too close at hand... 🙄
I read this book a few years ago and loved it! Decided it warrants a reread before continuing with the series.

30 likes1 stack add
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451Degrees
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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!

thewallflower0707 If you liked the ending, I think you‘re gonna love book 2&3. This trilogy is effing amazing, brutal and is still on mind weeks after finishing it. 1y
451Degrees @thewallflower0707 awesome! Thank you for that! Sometimes when you get committed to a trilogy you kinda wonder if it‘s gonna be worth it or not 😬 sounds like this one is! 1y
58 likes2 comments
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BookBr
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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!

11 likes1 stack add
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Rileytmurray
Pickpick

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

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CoveredInRust
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
Pickpick

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

31 likes1 stack add
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CoveredInRust
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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"'Take your clothes off.'"

#FirstLineFridays

@ShyBookOwl

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CoveredInRust
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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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+.

Read4life That drink sounds delicious 😋 1y
CoveredInRust @Read4life It's so goooood 😍 1y
DimeryRene A+ for your book and your latte!! 1y
CoveredInRust @DimeryRene the latte was delicious. The book is still amazing! 1y
44 likes4 comments
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CoveredInRust
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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I am RIDICULOUSLY excited for this one!

BookBr Ah, I just started reading this one too, and so far it is FANTASTIC! 🥰 1y
CoveredInRust @BookBr I haven't gotten very far but I'm loving the writing and how the setting and story are revealed! 1y
45 likes2 comments
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Conservio
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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this seasons #bookclub read.. I‘ve been waiting on it from the library so let‘s see how fast I can read it

13 likes1 stack add
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thewallflower0707
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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

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WJCintron
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Kboltz
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Bailedbailed

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.

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Kristin31289
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Oberkrombie
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
Pickpick

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!

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coffees
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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

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hartofashieldmaiden
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Pickpick

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

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authoramdeese
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
Pickpick

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!

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melzen
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
Mehso-so

⭐️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

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 2y
melzen @TheAromaofBooks thank you 🙏 getting into it now 2y
2 likes2 comments
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melzen
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Continuing with this amazing book, snuggling up with tea 🍵 and the audiobook. My double spin bingo
#bookspin #doublespin #thepoppywar #rfkuang #readingjune

6 likes1 comment
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melzen
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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🦋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

TheAromaofBooks Thank you for the tag!!! I'm out of town and haven't been on Litsy much!! 2y
5 likes1 comment
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Laughterhp
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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

RedxoHearts I may have to find the audio of this one to try. 2y
Laughterhp @RedxoHearts You should! The audio narrator was great! It was on Hoopla at my library. (edited) 2y
Cinfhen I heard good things about this book/author!!! 2y
squirrelbrain I need a book for this prompt, so may try this one. 2y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 2y
60 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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melzen
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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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

TheAromaofBooks Love the cover!!! 2y
melzen Absolutely 2y
7 likes2 comments
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Evita
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
Pickpick

4 out of 5!

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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

BarbaraTheBibliophage Decided to go alternate China for this prompt — not realizing how historically based this book is. @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft 2y
Lexeegee Great book. I have read the first two of the series. Looking forward to the third. 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage @Lexeegee My plan is to dive into book two this month!! 2y
79 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Esther.Okeh
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Pickpick

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

Esther.Okeh The author chose to stick closely with Rin as the central character but allowed for the reader to know and understand other characters. 2y
MissYaremcio Nicely done Esther!! This looks like a fabulous read! 6/6 2y
6 likes2 comments
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TugstenDragon
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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.

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Feenbraut
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang

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

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DarkMina
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Eggs Beautiful cover ❤️🖤❤️ 2y
26 likes1 comment
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ItsAnotherJen
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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Pickpick

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!! 🤞

WJCintron I have it on my TBR!!
2y
97 likes1 comment
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lumbricuslibri
The Poppy War | R.F. Kuang
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When you love something, you give it new clothes. - me 😅

10 likes1 stack add
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Mary_Reads
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Pickpick

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)

Mary_Reads That being said I enjoyed this one. If you don't mind unlikable characters, violence, and are okay not wrapping everything up in a HEA bow then you might like it too. (2) 2y
22 likes2 stack adds1 comment