An AudioFile Magazine Best Audiobook of 2018!
A Library Journal, Paste Magazine, and ENTROPY Best Books of 2018 pick!
Washington Post "5 Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Novel of 2018" pick!
A Bustle "30 Best Fiction Books of 2018" pick!
âI have no doubt this will end up being the best fantasy debut of the year [...] I have absolutely no doubt that [Kuangâs] name will be up there with the likes of Robin Hobb and N.K. Jemisin.â -- Booknest
A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of Chinaâs twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liuâs Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisinâs Inheritance Trilogy.
When Rin aced the Kejuâthe Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academiesâit was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldnât believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rinâs guardians, who believed theyâd finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegardâthe most elite military school in Nikanâwas even more surprising.
But surprises arenât always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly powerâan aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much aliveâand that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rinâs shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
Sandra
2022-12-28
Helt fenomenalt bra, kunde inte sluta lyssna pÄ den!
Alice
2022-10-26
Fastnade direkt för denna, första halvan av boken var en stark 5a med en spĂ€nnande plot, intressant vĂ€rldsbygge och vĂ€lskriven text. Dock tappade den mig lite i andra halvan, tycker det blir lite rörigt och för âmycket av alltâ, kan ha att göra med att jag anser att skildringar av krigsplaneringar, strategi och krigsutföring Ă€r ganska ointressant. Fastnade inte heller för karaktĂ€rerna, de Ă€r lite platta och huvudkaraktĂ€ren Ă€r frĂ„n och till lite irriterande. Oklart om jag kommer fortsĂ€tta pĂ„ serien. Ăr man kĂ€nslig för mycket grafiska vĂ„ldsscener bör man nog undvika denna. Bra upplĂ€st!
Anonym
2022-08-06
Good reading and book, a bit too grim/war focused for my liking.