Book: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 4.5/5
The Dragon Republic had my headphones GLUED to my ears. I couldn't stop listening once I got started! It was the perfect sequel to The Poppy War showing us what life really looks like post war, especially for a soldier.
Rin brought us victory in the third Poppy War but what does victory actually look like? In The Dragon Republic Rin must face her opium addiction and the genocide she committed all while working for the Dragon Warlord to usurp the Empress. But as always things are always what they seem.
When I started The Poppy War I was told that Rin was not a likable character. I would argue that while she might not be likable I do think she is interesting, compelling and honestly realistic. Rin tries to do the "right" thing for the most amount of people most of the time but at the end of the day she will move from a place of self preservation. And I don't blame her. Her life has been nothing but trauma and she has survived off of sheer will and putting herself first, I am not surprised that often continues to be her motivation.
There are many themes that could be discussed within The Dragon Republic but what really stood out to me was how well Kuang wrote substance use, addiction, and PTSD into Rin's character. Specifically how Rin's substance use ties into helping her drown out the Phoenix. The Phoenix is both the God that provides Rin her powers and a metaphor for Rin's own anger and trauma. Rin is unable to have full control over the Phoenix and her powers until she stops using opium and faces her trauma (at least some of it). I thought this plot point and character arc for Rin was so well written. And these same ideas apply to the other Shamans as well.
Content warnings: War, violence, SA, substance use, and addiction.This is not a comprehensive list.
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️