The Dragon Republic is a grimdark fantasy novel written by R. F. Kuang and published by HarperCollins. The book was published on August 6, 2019, as a sequel to The Poppy War.

The Dragon Republic
First edition
AuthorR. F. Kuang
Audio read byEmily Woo Zeller
Cover artistJung Shan Chang
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
SeriesPoppy War trilogy
Release number
2
GenreGrimdark, High fantasy
PublisherHarper Voyager
Publication date
August 6, 2019
Media typePrint, digital
Pages672
ISBN978-0-06-266263-7 (hardback)
OCLC1110689865
Preceded byThe Poppy War 
Followed byThe Burning God 

Background edit

The previous book ended with the invasion of Rin's homeland.[1] The book details Rin's experiences with opium addiction and her intentions to murder the Empress.[2] However, Rin now has the power of the Phoenix and is the commander of the Cike.[3] Rin is captured by Yin Vaisra, the Dragon Warlord, who intends to conquer Nikan.[4][5] The book was published on August 6, 2019.[6][7][8] Racquel Nassor suggested content warnings in Book Riot for anyone intending to read the book for "Ableism, Addiction, Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, Animal Death, Racism, Sexual Assault, Suicide."[9]

Reception edit

Kristi Chadwick wrote in Library Journal that the book was a "stunning sequel to The Poppy War."[10] Lucy Lockley wrote in Booklist that the author's "descriptive storytelling reveals the grueling psychological and material cost of war."[11] Jason Kehe wrote in Wired Magazine that the book was "refreshing" and "shocking."[12] Kalyani Saxena wrote in NPR that the book "might just be my favorite piece of fantasy of all time."[13] Frannie Jackson wrote in Paste Magazine that the book has "cemented [Kuang's] status as a fantasy titan."[14] Cate Matthews wrote in Time Magazine that the book has further established Kuang as "one of contemporary fantasy's most promising writers."[15] Publishers Weekly called the book "an enthralling military fantasy brimming with betrayal and bloodshed."[16]

Awards edit

Award Year Category Result Ref.
Ignyte Awards 2020 Best Novel — Adult Finalist [17][18]
Goodreads Choice Awards 2019 Best Fantasy Nominated [19]

Translations edit

The Poppy War has been translated into a number of languages, in addition to its original English.

Language Title Publication date Publisher Translator ISBN Ref.
German Im Zeichen der Mohnblume – Die Kaiserin 2020 München Blanvalet Michaela Link 978-3-73-416231-2
Italian La repubblica del drago 2021 Mondadori S. Hakobyan 978-8-80-473926-5
Polish Republika Smoka 2020 Fabryka Słów Grzegorz Komerski 978-8-37-964592-3
Russian Республика Дракон 2020 Fanzon Natalia Rokachevskaya 978-5-04-110400-9 [20]

Adaption edit

The Poppy War Series was optioned for a television adaption by Starlight Media and SA Inc, and was being packaged by Allen Fischer.[21][22]

References edit

  1. ^ Liptak, Andrew (2018-12-30). "All the science fiction and fantasy books we're looking forward to in 2019". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  2. ^ Liptak, Andrew (2019-08-01). "10 new science fiction and fantasy novels to check out this August". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  3. ^ Zelda, James TivendaleReviewer Sober Charity Worker Pool Player Poker Player Fitness Runner Metal Rap Mario Kart (2019-07-08). "REVIEW: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang". Grimdark Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-01-28. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  4. ^ "The Dragon Republic: epic fantasy and China's bloody history unite". South China Morning Post. 2019-08-23. Archived from the original on 2022-03-13. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  5. ^ "The Best Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Novels to Read in August (Plus: Short Stories and Sequels!)". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  6. ^ "What to read in 2019, from literary greats to emerging authors". South China Morning Post. 2019-01-02. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  7. ^ "28 New Books Out In August 2019 To Add To Your End-Of-Summer Reading List". Bustle. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  8. ^ "Most Anticipated Non-Western Fantasy Books of 2019". Den of Geek. 2019-10-10. Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  9. ^ Nassor, Racquel (2021-11-26). "15 Lovers-to-Enemies Books: When Breakups Go Apocalyptically Bad". BOOK RIOT. Archived from the original on 2021-12-23. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  10. ^ R.F, Kuang. "The Dragon Republic". Library Journal. Archived from the original on 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  11. ^ Dragon Republic, by R. F. Kuang. | Booklist Online. Archived from the original on 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  12. ^ WIRED Staff. "WIRED's 14 Must-Read Books of Summer". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Archived from the original on 2021-04-17. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  13. ^ "Engaging with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: A reading list". NPR. Archived from the original on 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  14. ^ "The 19 Best Novels of 2019". pastemagazine.com. 2019-12-19. Archived from the original on 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  15. ^ "'The Dragon Republic' Is on TIME's List of the 100 Best Fantasy Books". Time. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  16. ^ "Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Book Review: The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang. Harper Voyager, $26.99 (672p) ISBN 978-0-06-266263-7". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2022-03-13. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  17. ^ Tejada, Andrew (2020-10-17). "Announcing the Winners of the Inaugural Ignyte Awards!". Tor.com. Archived from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  18. ^ locusmag (2020-10-18). "Ignyte Awards Winners". Locus Online. Archived from the original on 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  19. ^ Rocket, Stubby the (2019-11-05). "Cast Your Vote in the 2019 Goodreads Choice Awards Opening Round!". Tor.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
  20. ^ "Ребекка Куанг "Республика Дракон": военное фэнтези в восточном сеттинге | Книги, Обзоры книг". Mir Fantastiki (in Russian). Hobby World. 2020-07-30. Archived from the original on 2021-07-08. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  21. ^ White, Peter (2020-12-08). "Starlight Media Developing TV Adaptation Of Rebecca F. Kuang's Fantasy Books Including 'The Poppy War'". Deadline. Archived from the original on 2022-04-14. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  22. ^ Templeton, Molly (2020-12-08). "R.F. Kuang's Epic Poppy War Series Is Headed to Television". Tor.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-20. Retrieved 2022-09-18.