Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram)
It’s time for a brutally prolonged civil war in ‘The Dragon Republic’, the second book in R. F. Kuang’s fantasy trilogy, set in the fictional Nikara empire, ruled by a legendary Shamanic Empress.
You remember how ‘The Poppy War’ ended right? With protagonist Rin channeling the Phoenix God and destroying the enemy Island-nation of Mugen, putting an end to the war in Nikara. Basically instant genocide. And as a reader, I am thinking: How is author R. F. Kuang going to continue this story in two more books – ‘The Dragon Republic’ and ‘The Burning God’ – if the lead is a ridiculously powerful shaman who can simply burn entire nations and ‘rip the fabric of the world’ in seconds? Well, apparently, getting genocidal-level angry isn’t simple, so Rin can’t always char her enemies, and getting vengeance against the Empress (or the ‘Vipress’), also a dangerous shaman herself, won’t be easy.
The basic plot in the second book focuses on Rin joining forces with the ambitious Dragon Warlord Yin Vaisra, who wants to overthrow the Empress Su Daji and bring democracy to the Nikara Empire. Fresh from victory against Mugen, Nikara is battered, scattered, and weakened, and Vaisra thinks it’s the perfect time to lead a coup against Daji. Vaisra hopes to channel Rin’s shamanic powers against the Empress, and thus recruits the Cike (the small shamanic wing of the empire led by Rin) for his cause. Oh, and Vaisra is also Nezha’s dad, you know, Rin’s enemy-turned-friend, with the promise of romance in the future. And best-friend Kitay becomes a key strategist for the Dragon Republic.
Also Read: The Poppy War Synopsis & Ending Recapped
There are so many storytelling elements that works better in this book, while some of the flaws from the first ‘Poppy War’ novel remain, the most grating being the lack of character development for the supporting cast. It’s all Rin, Rin, and more Rin, but she is no longer the likable underdog, instead a doped up egocentric power-hungry war-dog. She becomes an opium addict, in case you forgot. But yes, R F Kuang’s narrating skills are sharper in ‘The Dragon Republic’, and almost 70% of the text dedicated to war action, atrocities, and strategies, which will thrill fans looking forward to more blood, death, vengeance, and violence.
R F Kuang of course introduces a twist that temporarily locks out Rin from channeling the fire, so she is forced to fight as any ordinary soldier and also faces a demotion in the army. And well, if her powers weren’t restrained with a plot twist, ‘The Dragon Republic’ would be over in a few pages. Readers would remember the handsome, arrogant Nezha was hinted to possess shamanic abilities too, so that sub-plot is explored further in book 2.
Empress Su Daji continues to be one of the primary antagonists, while a delegation of Hesperians arrives in Vaisra’s kingdom, but only as observers, claiming they will provide their superior military assistance only if they deem his army worthy. The Hesperians are foreigners from another land, with a monotheistic religion, so they look down upon the Nikara empire’s Gods and beliefs. Through them, RF Kuang explores some discomforting racism, religious bigotry, and cultural tensions. Shamans are thus the equivalent of witches to them.
One of the more intriguing elements in the story this time around was the introduction of the Naimad clan, to which twins Chagan and Qara belong to. Rin and Kitay have an unexpected encounter with them, leading to some big revelations and an unexpected ritual that changes their life.
I was really hoping to see some significant character development for Kitay, Nezha, and the members of the Cike in ‘The Dragon Republic’, but once again, Rin’s inner rants, angst, and contradictory thoughts dominate the pages. On one hand, she says she doesn’t want to be somebody’s war dog; on the other, she expresses smug relief at serving as Vaisra’s “weapon” and not having to take on the responsibilities of a leader. While her contradictory thoughts are fine, her inflated sense of self becomes increasingly tiring to read.
Well, despite its flaws, The Dragon Republic is a fast-paced, blood-laden saga of war, politics, vengeance, violence, and fresh betrayals. R. F. Kuang delivers a sequel that’s arguably better than The Poppy War, with the climactic chapter dealing a new gut punch to Rin and leaving her at the floodgates of a new, perhaps even bloodier, war.
Rating: 3.5 stars on 5.
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