4.1
1 of 6
Fantasy & SciFi
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…
© 2018 HarperCollins (Audiobook): 9780008239831
Release date
Audiobook: 3 May 2018
4.1
1 of 6
Fantasy & SciFi
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…
© 2018 HarperCollins (Audiobook): 9780008239831
Release date
Audiobook: 3 May 2018
Step into an infinite world of stories
Overall rating based on 1007 ratings
Page-turner
Thrilling
Unpredictable
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Showing 6 of 1007
Saiyam
6 Dec 2021
The journey of Fang Runin from a mere nikara commoner to one of the most powerful shaman is very exiting and pain striking. The blend of history and fictional world makes the most satisfying combination. It has made me realise an important thing that what we are today is the result of the choices we make yesterday. This book is horrifyingly graphical and mind bending beautiful. This book has made it to my favourite books read till now. I am just astonished by the imagination of author and eager to read the rest of the franchise.
shashwat
30 Jul 2021
The novel is centred around the main character which just constantly suffers, so if you are up for that, then go for it.
Joy
4 Nov 2023
Nothing could have prepared me for the brutal violence in this book
Labster
5 Jun 2023
Not the hero you think, more human and real than any fictional character. Thrilling story.
Saravanapriyan
18 Feb 2024
Amazing fantasy novel.
Sanmaya
20 Jul 2022
BEAUTIFUL
English
India