The Dragon Republic
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4.5 • 99 Ratings
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- £6.49
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- £6.49
Publisher Description
The searing follow-up to 2018’s most celebrated fantasy debut – THE POPPY WAR.
Rin is on the run…
Haunted by the atrocity she committed to save her people, addicted to opium, and driven by the murderous commands of Phoenix, the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power.
Rin’s only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold her homeland, Nikan, to her 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. She throws herself into his war.
After all, making war is all she knows how to do…
Reviews
PRAISE FOR THE POPPY WAR:
‘An outstanding debut’
DAILY MAIL
‘A book that will go down as one of the best grimdark/military fantasy debuts of all time’
BOOKNEST
‘A masterpiece by grimdark’s newest and perhaps darkest daughter’
FANTASY BOOK REVIEW
‘A wholly unique experience’
THE WASHINGTON POST
‘R.F. Kuang’s fresh approach to magic and hard-hitting story is a punch to the gut fantasy has needed for a long time. I can’t wait for THE DRAGON REPUBLIC’
Peter V. Brett, bestselling author of The Demon Cycle
‘Enthralling from start to finish … I thought myself prepared. I was now. R.F. Kuang’s debut is a masterful must-read, and I’ve no doubt the best is yet to come’
Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLD
‘A blistering, powerful epic of war and revenge that will captivate you to the bitter end’
Kameron Hurley, author of THE LIGHT BRIDAGE
‘Fresh, assured, character-driven fantasy that’s choc full of magic, war, and betrayal. I loved it from start to finish’
Peter Newman, author of THE VAGRANT
‘A powerful, emotional journey, compellingly written’
Adrian Tchaikovsky, award-winning author of THE CHILDREN OF TIME
‘An original and engrossing tale of the coming of age of a talented young soldier amid the horrors of invasion and genocide’
Anna Stephens, author of GODBLIND
‘I so enjoyed The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang … It is all about survival, and how a person’s will and determination can change the course of their life. I loved the central character, felt her pain and her far-too-brief moments of joy, and just loved how Kuang breathes fresh life into the warrior training school … Highly recommended’
John Gwynne, author of MALICE
About the author
Rebecca F. Kuang immigrated to the United States from Guangzhou, China, in 2000. She has a BA in International History from Georgetown University, and she will pursue her graduate degree in Modern Chinese Studies at the University of Cambridge on a Marshall Scholarship in 2018. Her research focuses on Chinese military strategy, collective trauma, and war memorials.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kuang brings brilliance to this invigorating and complex military fantasy sequel to The Poppy War. Soon after the Third Poppy War ends, Rin and the Cike are captured by the Dragon Warlord, Yin Vaisra, who instructs Rin to destroy Empress Su Daji and unite the empire under one republic. As their assassination plans commence, Daji seals Rin's power and escapes, while the Warlord's negotiations force Southern warlords, such as Vaisra, to leave the Empire. Vaisra starts his campaign to unify the provinces first by starving the North and then by sending soldiers to occupy Northern cities. As the campaign continues, the Republic comes across the powerful shaman Feylen, who's been sent by Daji to destroy their ships. Rin and her command are the only survivors, and they know a big battle is just around the corner. Using events from 20th-century Chinese history, Kuang builds an enthralling military fantasy brimming with betrayal and bloodshed. Each battle scene is prefaced by detailed planning stages that only heighten anticipation and help to create a realistic and well-composed world. Focusing less on Rin's personal issues and more on war and intrigue, Kuang keeps series fans riveted.
Customer Reviews
Very well written
Very compelling
Pauper to power
This is another contribution to the seemingly endless trope of orphan whot takes on the elite and wins- see red rising, the will of the many, harry potter… this one is, I think, coded in imperialist China, with the villains initially being Japan (completely eradicated) and now the Christian West. The latter is an interesting twist. However the writing is poor. They have opted for more violence and less whimsy but overall the magic (sorry shamanism) is patchy and just comes across as super-hero powers for some reason. Not great. Only forced to read all three on account of my neuro-divergent need for completeness on all things