OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile
Narrator Emily Woo Zeller returns for the second audiobook in The Poppy War series. War is all Rin knows anymore, and she’ll destroy anyone and anything that gets between her and her revenge upon the Empress. Zeller’s fierce narration couples well with the story’s many dark and fantastical twists, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. She creates clearly differentiated voices for a wide cast of characters, and her visceral portrayals of emotion encourage listeners to empathize with their struggles. Zeller maintains a passionate and energetic pace throughout, and as the story picks up in intensity, listeners will find it nearly impossible to press the pause button. A.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
06/10/2019
Kuang brings brilliance to this invigorating and complex military fantasy sequel to The Poppy War. Soon after the Third Poppy War ends, Rin and the Cike are captured by the Dragon Warlord, Yin Vaisra, who instructs Rin to destroy Empress Su Daji and unite the empire under one republic. As their assassination plans commence, Daji seals Rin’s power and escapes, while the Warlord’s negotiations force Southern warlords, such as Vaisra, to leave the Empire. Vaisra starts his campaign to unify the provinces first by starving the North and then by sending soldiers to occupy Northern cities. As the campaign continues, the Republic comes across the powerful shaman Feylen, who’s been sent by Daji to destroy their ships. Rin and her command are the only survivors, and they know a big battle is just around the corner. Using events from 20th-century Chinese history, Kuang builds an enthralling military fantasy brimming with betrayal and bloodshed. Each battle scene is prefaced by detailed planning stages that only heighten anticipation and help to create a realistic and well-composed world. Focusing less on Rin’s personal issues and more on war and intrigue, Kuang keeps series fans riveted. Agent: Hannah Bowman, Liza Dawson Associates. (Aug.)
From the Publisher
Her story’s refreshing, shocking, and there’s some sort of invisible phoenix fire god controlling everything. Behold the horizons of fantasy expand.” — Wired
“This stunning sequel to The Poppy War is an epic journey of vengeance, friendship, and power . . . Kuang has created a young woman torn by her connections to friends and family, searching for love and belonging, and given power beyond her imagining. Her story is unforgettable.” — Library Journal (starred review) on The Dragon Republic
“Kuang brings brilliance to this invigorating and complex military fantasy sequel to The Poppy War.” — Publishers Weekly on The Dragon Republic
"The story Kuang weaves around Rin and her battle-hardened comrades-in-arms in The Dragon Republic builds upon the reputation Kuang earned with her debut as one of contemporary fantasy’s most promising writers." — Time
“Kuang’s descriptive storytelling reveals the grueling psychological and material cost of war on combatants and those they are supposed to protect. Fans of epic military fantasy will be eager for the next volume.” — Booklist (starred review)
"The Dragon Republic is a phenomenal follow-up to what was one of my highest rated fantasy books of 2018, and I think this exceeds the debut in almost every way...R.F. Kuang is the brightest new star in adult fantasy...Kuang has a knack for writing some of the best fantasy and makes it seem effortless. She will be mentioned alongside names such as Lynch, Lawrence, and Sapkowski for awesomeness very soon." — Grimdark Magazine
“The Dragon Republic is straight up incredible [...] It’s big, bold, beautiful, and badass.” — Fantasy Hive
"This second book of hers – the difficult middle book of a trilogy, no less – seals Kuang’s place as one of the most exciting and best SFF writers of our time...The sequel to R.F. Kuang’s acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect." — SFF Book Reviews
“The Dragon Republic is a brilliantly unputdownable sequel that deflects the infamous middle book syndrome with brutal precision. With The Dragon Republic, Kuang has proven that her debut wasn’t a one-hit wonder, further establishing herself as the new rising queen of fantasy.” — Novel Notions on The Dragon Republic
Fantasy Hive
The Dragon Republic is straight up incredible [...] It’s big, bold, beautiful, and badass.
Wired
Her story’s refreshing, shocking, and there’s some sort of invisible phoenix fire god controlling everything. Behold the horizons of fantasy expand.
Booklist (starred review)
Kuang’s descriptive storytelling reveals the grueling psychological and material cost of war on combatants and those they are supposed to protect. Fans of epic military fantasy will be eager for the next volume.
Novel Notions on The Dragon Republic
“The Dragon Republic is a brilliantly unputdownable sequel that deflects the infamous middle book syndrome with brutal precision. With The Dragon Republic, Kuang has proven that her debut wasn’t a one-hit wonder, further establishing herself as the new rising queen of fantasy.
Novel Notions on The Dragon Republic
“The Dragon Republic is a brilliantly unputdownable sequel that deflects the infamous middle book syndrome with brutal precision. With The Dragon Republic, Kuang has proven that her debut wasn’t a one-hit wonder, further establishing herself as the new rising queen of fantasy.
Booklist (starred review)
Kuang’s descriptive storytelling reveals the grueling psychological and material cost of war on combatants and those they are supposed to protect. Fans of epic military fantasy will be eager for the next volume.
Novel Notions
“The Dragon Republic is a brilliantly unputdownable sequel that deflects the infamous middle book syndrome with brutal precision. With The Dragon Republic, Kuang has proven that her debut wasn’t a one-hit wonder, further establishing herself as the new rising queen of fantasy.
Wired
Her story’s refreshing, shocking, and there’s some sort of invisible phoenix fire god controlling everything. Behold the horizons of fantasy expand.
OCTOBER 2019 - AudioFile
Narrator Emily Woo Zeller returns for the second audiobook in The Poppy War series. War is all Rin knows anymore, and she’ll destroy anyone and anything that gets between her and her revenge upon the Empress. Zeller’s fierce narration couples well with the story’s many dark and fantastical twists, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats. She creates clearly differentiated voices for a wide cast of characters, and her visceral portrayals of emotion encourage listeners to empathize with their struggles. Zeller maintains a passionate and energetic pace throughout, and as the story picks up in intensity, listeners will find it nearly impossible to press the pause button. A.K.R. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
