The Burning God cover art

The Burning God

The Poppy War, Book 3

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The Burning God

By: R. F. Kuang
Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller
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About this listen

The exciting end to The Poppy War trilogy, R.F. Kuang's acclaimed, award-winning epic fantasy that combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating, enthralling effect.

After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead.

Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much – the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges – and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.

Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners.

As her power and influence grows, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s voice, urging her to burn the world and everything in it?

©2020 R. F. Kuang (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Action & Adventure Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Military Fiction War China

Critic Reviews

‘An outstanding debut’
DAILY MAIL

‘A masterpiece by grimdark’s newest and perhaps darkest daughter’
FANTASY BOOK REVIEW

‘A wholly unique experience’
THE WASHINGTON POST

‘R.F. Kuang’s fresh approach to magic and hard-hitting story is a punch to the gut fantasy has needed for a long time’
Peter V. Brett, bestselling author of The Demon Cycle

‘Enthralling from start to finish … I thought myself prepared. I was not’
Nicholas Eames, author of KINGS OF THE WYLD

‘A blistering, powerful epic of war and revenge that will captivate you to the bitter end’
Kameron Hurley, author of THE LIGHT BRIDAGE

‘Her story’s refreshing, shocking … Behold the horizons of fantasy expand’
WIRED

‘An epic journey of vengeance, friendship, and power’
LIBRARY JOURNAL

‘Straight up incredible … It’s big, bold, beautiful, and badass’
FANTASY HIVE
All stars
Most relevant  
I wasn’t enjoying the series until the last quarter of the final book. Is a gruelling experience but eye opening, the reason I changed my mind about this series is simple, we are used to seeing heroes in fantasy series that are yes flawed, but rightful and you can see their motivations throughout. Rin is not that, she’s a more realistic power hungry turned crazy person due to the phoenix and war. This series is not to enjoy the fantastical world built by Kuang. The purpose is to understand the awful consequences of senseless war and ideological imposition. Amazing work

Good series but for niche taste

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Incredible ending to a mystical tale of warriors and gods. You can feel the deep research that Rebecca Kuang has undergone to weave this tragic and awesome battle-filled story to life. I love the Chinese mythology used as the foundation and the reality of battle horrors combined to create incredible victories and savage losses. Would love to see this reincarnated into a 动画片 dònghùapiàn or live-action movie/TV series.

Amazing!

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I liked the trilogy and the end caught me off guard but was feasible. Enjoyed the series.

Enjoyed the series

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The ending was amazing. It was staring us in the face if you look. Captivating through and through

Jaw dropping

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i don’t know what else i can say. this series was just incredible beyond words. emily is such a talented narrator and it was amazing going on this journey with her

screaming crying throwing up

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Rin in Burning God was far from a monster; she sought to dismantle the twisted ideology of the Aspirians and confront their unseen creator.

Heroes do not write history, oppressors do.

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Loved the whole concept and the characters. Found it repetitive & cliched in parts - the narration as well as the writing itself. But overall it was a gripping historical fantasy and I loved being in that world. A pretty incredible feat of writing…

A fascinating fantastical rewriting of Chinese history!

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a great story however quite confronting and I had to stop a few times and listen to something more cheery, but I loved it. war is not cheery. gritty struggles for well written characters, not just the main characters

exciting

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Ugh love it so much! Great conclusion and just phenomenal work I will read anything R.F Kuang writes!

The voice actor was amazing!

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Overall enjoyed however ending caught me off guard. Loved the whole series but out of the whole series the Burning God is probably my least favourite.

Excellent Experience

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