1
The Fifth Season
Broken Earth #1 (works standalone)by N.K. Jemisin
02015
Why you'll love it:
This delivers a very similar reading experience to The Poppy War — fans consistently love both.
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:
- 1The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin0#1
- 2The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison0
- 3A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin0Series starter
- 4The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie4.5Series starter
- 5The Black Company by Glen Cook0
- 6Jade City by Fonda Lee0#1
- 7City in Chains by Harry Turtledove4.1
- 8The Incandescent by Emily Tesh4.4
- 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
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Detailed Recommendations
3
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.
4
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.
6
Jade City
Green Bone Saga #1 (works standalone)by Fonda Lee
02017
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a brutal but intimate tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
7
by Harry Turtledove
4.12025328 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a gritty but hopeful tone that will resonate with The Poppy War fans.
8
by Emily Tesh
4.42025432 pages
Why you'll love it:
This fantasy shares a dark and introspective 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Fifth Season | N.K. Jemisin | 0 | 2015 | — | Closest match |
| The Goblin Emperor | Katherine Addison | 0 | 2014 | — | Similar vibes |
| 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 Black Company | Glen Cook | 0 | 1984 | — | Similar vibes |
| Jade City | Fonda Lee | 0 | 2017 | — | Similar vibes |
| City in Chains | Harry Turtledove | 4.1 | 2025 | 328 | Similar vibes |
| The Incandescent | Emily Tesh | 4.4 | 2025 | 432 | 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 The Fifth Season, The Goblin Emperor, A Game of Thrones.
What should I read after The Poppy War?
After finishing The Poppy War, readers most commonly pick up The Fifth Season 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.