The Poppy War

In this captivating debut set in an epic fantasy realm, inspired by the tumultuous events of twentieth-century China, we encounter a world where magic and deceit weave a dangerous tapestry. Rin's exceptional result in the Keju exam – a rigorous test to identify the brightest minds in the Empire – stunned everyone. The officials were flabbergasted that a war orphan from Rooster Province could achieve such a feat honestly. Her guardians, who had envisioned a profitable marriage for her, were equally taken aback. Most of all, Rin herself was astonished, as the exam success promised her liberation from a predestined life of servitude. Securing a place at Sinegard, the pinnacle of military education in Nikan, was even more unforeseen. However, entering this prestigious institution came with its own set of challenges. Being a dark-skinned girl from the poorer southern regions, Rin faces hostility and discrimination from her peers. Yet, amidst this adversity, she uncovers a formidable and otherworldly potential within herself – a command over the arcane practice of shamanism. Guided by mind-altering substances and a mentor who treads the line of sanity, Rin delves into this nearly mythical art. She finds that deities believed to be long gone are very much alive, and gaining control over her powers could alter her destiny far beyond mere survival at school.While the Nikara Empire enjoys an uneasy peace, the threat of the Federation of Mugen looms just beyond the sea. After enduring occupation during the First Poppy War and barely reclaiming their land in the Second, the shadow of conflict lingers. Although many carry on with their daily lives obliviously, there are those who understand that the spark for a Third Poppy War could ignite at any moment...