The Poppy War Reading Order

The The Poppy War series by R.F. Kuang is complete. Here are the 3 books we cover, in order.

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Reading order

  1. 1. The Poppy War

    R.F. Kuang · The Poppy War #1 · complete series

    Spice 0/5 Darkness 5/5

    Book 1

    It starts as a school story about a war orphan who aces the exam into a military academy. Then the war arrives. Based on the Second Sino-Japanese War, including the Nanjing Massacre. Read the warnings, seriously.

    • Academies and War Colleges
    • Gods and Mythology
    • Grimdark
    • Revenge
    Content warnings

    Genocide, War, Sexual assault, Drug or alcohol abuse, Graphic violence, Torture

  2. 2. The Dragon Republic

    R.F. Kuang · The Poppy War #2 · complete series

    Spice 1/5 Darkness 4/5

    Book 2

    Rin is addicted, guilty and working as a mercenary for a warlord she doesn't fully trust. More politics and naval battles than book one, and Kuang still doesn't let anyone off easy.

    • Grimdark
    • Morally Gray
    • Gods and Mythology
    Content warnings

    War, Genocide, Drug or alcohol abuse, Graphic violence, Physical or emotional abuse

  3. 3. The Burning God

    R.F. Kuang · The Poppy War #3 · complete series

    Spice 1/5 Darkness 5/5

    Book 3

    Rin goes home to the south and starts winning, which is somehow worse. Bleak from start to finish and the ending is one people argue about.

    • Grimdark
    • Morally Gray
    • Gods and Mythology
    Content warnings

    Genocide, War, Graphic violence, Gore, Drug or alcohol abuse, Death of a loved one