The Third Poppy War is over - Rin took care of the Nikaran Empire's enemies with a complete and devastating show of power, but not without exacting a terrible cost. She cannot sleep and she cannot quiet the voices screaming in her head, not without a steady stream of opium and a deadly focus on revenge. But when an opportunity presents itself for her to rise above the aimless fog of her mind in the guise of the Dragon Warlord, she jumps at the chance to find purpose. How much will this road cost her, though, and does she enough left in her to pay the price? Brutal and breathtaking in turns, this book won't release you once you've turned the first page. In the stunning sequel to her Nebula Award nominated debut The Poppy War, R. F. Kuang delivers a shocking, twisting tale of an empire, and a woman, crumbling to ashes - only to be reborn in the fire. - Kylie
Rin’s story continues in this acclaimed sequel to The Poppy War—an epic fantasy combining the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters.
The war is over.
The war has just begun.
Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the atrocity she committed to save her people. Now she is on the run from her guilt, the opium addiction that holds her like a vice, and the murderous commands of the fiery Phoenix—the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power.
Though she does not want to live, she refuses to die until she avenges the traitorous Empress who betrayed Rin’s homeland to its enemies. Her only hope is to join forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who plots to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new republic.
But neither the Empress nor the Dragon Warlord are what they seem. The more Rin witnesses, the more she fears her love for Nikan will force her to use the Phoenix’s deadly power once more.
Because there is nothing Rin won’t sacrifice to save her country . . . and exact her vengeance.