by R. F. Kuang
Part of The Poppy War, book 1
First published 2020
Rin, a war orphan from the south, shocks everyone by acing the empire's elite exam and earning a spot at the prestigious military academy. But as a dark-skinned peasant girl, she faces constant discrimination from her privileged peers. Unlocking a latent power to commune with ancient gods, Rin learns that mastering these abilities could turn the tide of an impending war. Yet the more she embraces her shamanic gifts, the more she risks losing her own humanity.
Genres: historical-fiction, military-fiction, coming-of-age, fantasy
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: chosen-one, fish-out-of-water
544 pages · Paperback · Harper Voyager
Content warnings: violence, war