The Poppy War

Synopsis

Winner of the Reddit Fantasy Award for Best Debut 2018

'The best fantasy debut of 2018' - WIRED

A brilliantly imaginative epic fantasy debut, inspired by the bloody history of China's twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic.

When Rin aced the Keju - the test to find the most talented students in the Empire - it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn't believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin's guardians, who had hoped to get rich by marrying her off; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free from a life of servitude. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.

But surprises aren't always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Fighting the prejudice of rival classmates, Rin discovers that she possesses a lethal, unearthly power - an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of psychoactive substances and a seemingly insane teacher, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive - and that mastering these 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 Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most people calmly go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away…

Summary

Chapter 1: The Poppy Growers

* Altan, a 13-year-old orphan, is selected to join the prestigious Sinegard Academy, a military school that trains young people to become protectors.
* Altan's village has a tradition of growing poppies, a flower with both medicinal and addictive properties.
* He is torn between his desire to join the academy and his responsibility to his village, which relies on the poppy harvest.

Chapter 2: The Song of the Ghosts

* Altan arrives at Sinegard and is assigned to the Southern Halls, a dormitory known for its strict discipline and brutal training methods.
* He befriends Kitay, a skilled swordsman from the South Wing, and Jiang, a quiet and intelligent girl from the East Wing.
* Altan begins to experience nightmares and visions related to the Poppy Wars, a devastating conflict from the past.

Chapter 3: The Tiger's Blood

* Altan learns the art of shamanism, a form of magic that connects the user to the spiritual realm.
* He accidentally summons a powerful spirit tiger, which he uses to defend himself and his friends.
* Altan's abilities attract the attention of Master Wu, a legendary shaman who becomes his mentor.

Chapter 4: The Trial of the Gods

* Altan and his classmates face a series of deadly trials to test their skills and prove their worth.
* Altan uses his shamanic powers to overcome the challenges, but he also faces the inner demons that have plagued him since childhood.
* He realizes that the Poppy Wars were more than just a conflict; they were a sacrifice made to banish an ancient evil.

Chapter 5: The Ashes of Heaven

* The academy is attacked by Nikan forces, who are seeking revenge for the Poppy Wars.
* Altan and his friends fight bravely, but many of their classmates are killed.
* Altan uses his shamanic powers to summon the gods, who unleash a destructive force that wipes out the enemy.

Chapter 6: The Phoenix's Rise

* In the aftermath of the battle, Altan learns that the evil he sensed in his visions is still present.
* He sets out on a journey to find the source of the evil and prevent it from destroying the world.
* Along the way, he encounters powerful allies and faces his own inner darkness as he grapples with the lessons he has learned in the Poppy War.