1
A Game of Thrones
Start of A Song of Ice and Fire seriesby George R.R. Martin
02005
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a brutal and cynical tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
10 Best Books Like The Poppy War
If you loved The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like The Poppy War are:
- 1A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin0Series starter
- 2The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie4.5Series starter
- 3The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin0#1
- 4The Black Company by Glen Cook0
- 5Gifted & Talented by Olivie Blake3.9
- 6Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman4.5
- 7Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare0#1
- 8Fated by Benedict Jacka0#1
- 9Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman4.5Series starter
- 10Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure by JF Brink4.7Series starter
Fantasy02018
When war orphan Rin aces her way into elite military academy Sinegard, she discovers her shamanic powers and becomes embroiled in a brutal war that will test the limits of her humanity
We may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Detailed Recommendations
2
The Blade Itself
Start of First Law seriesby Joe Abercrombie
4.52009624 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a darkly cynical tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
3
The Fifth Season
Broken Earth #1 (works standalone)by N.K. Jemisin
02015
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a devastating but empowering tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
5
by Olivie Blake
3.92025512 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a ruthless and calculating tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
6
by Neil Gaiman
4.52017448 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a dark and whimsical tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
7
Sword Catcher
A Planned #1 (works standalone)by Cassandra Clare
0
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a romantic and dangerous tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
8
Fated
Alex Verus #1 (works standalone)by Benedict Jacka
02012322 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a gritty and cerebral tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
9
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Start of Dungeon Crawler Crawler seriesby Matt Dinniman
4.52020446 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a darkly hilarious yet brutal tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
10
Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure
Start of Defiance of the Fall seriesby JF Brink
4.72021778 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a grim but empowering tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like The Poppy War
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Game of Thrones📚 Series starter | George R.R. Martin | 0 | 2005 | — | Start a new series |
| The Blade Itself📚 Series starter | Joe Abercrombie | 4.5 | 2009 | 624 | Start a new series |
| The Fifth Season | N.K. Jemisin | 0 | 2015 | — | Similar vibes |
| The Black Company | Glen Cook | 0 | 1984 | — | Similar vibes |
| Gifted & Talented | Olivie Blake | 3.9 | 2025 | 512 | Similar vibes |
| Neverwhere | Neil Gaiman | 4.5 | 2017 | 448 | Similar vibes |
| Sword Catcher | Cassandra Clare | 0 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Fated | Benedict Jacka | 0 | 2012 | 322 | Similar vibes |
| Dungeon Crawler Carl📚 Series starter | Matt Dinniman | 4.5 | 2020 | 446 | Start a new series |
| Defiance of the Fall: A LitRPG Adventure📚 Series starter | JF Brink | 4.7 | 2021 | 778 | Start a new series |
Authors Who Write Like R.F. Kuang
If you enjoy R.F. Kuang's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to The Poppy War?
The most similar books to The Poppy War are A Game of Thrones, The Blade Itself, The Fifth Season.
What should I read after The Poppy War?
After finishing The Poppy War, readers most commonly pick up A Game of Thrones next. Alternatively, you might enjoy more books by R.F. Kuang, such as Yellowface.
Who writes books like R.F. Kuang?
Authors similar to R.F. Kuang include Jessica Townsend, Lisa McMann, Jasper Fforde, Erin Hunter, Andrew Peterson.
What genre is The Poppy War?
The Poppy War is a Fantasy novel by R.F. Kuang, published in 2018. It features elements of Military Academy, Dark Fantasy, Chinese Mythology.
How long is The Poppy War?
The Poppy War varies in length depending on edition.
Does The Poppy War have romance/spice?
The Poppy War has a spice level of 1/5. This book has light romantic elements.
About The Poppy War
When war orphan Rin aces her way into elite military academy Sinegard, she discovers her shamanic powers and becomes embroiled in a brutal war that will test the limits of her humanity. Kuang delivers unflinching grimdark fantasy inspired by 20th-century Chinese history, particularly the Second Sino-Japanese War, combining military strategy with mythological elements. The first in a trilogy that doesn't shy away from the true horrors of war and genocide, this novel explores themes of power, revenge, and the cost of survival while examining how trauma and oppression can create monsters, featuring some of the most brutal and realistic depictions of warfare in modern fantasy.