The Dragon Republic

The Dragon Republic – R. F. Kuang
The Poppy War, Book #2
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Historical Fantasy / Dark Fantasy
 
Tropes:
War-torn lands and political intrigue
Anti-hero protagonist grappling with guilt and vengeance
Divine power with devastating consequences
 
Summary
In the sequel to The Poppy War, Rin grapples with the aftermath of a brutal conflict and the atrocities she committed to save her people. Haunted by guilt, opium addiction, and the commands of the vengeful Phoenix god, Rin refuses to die while her homeland remains imperiled.
Seeking vengeance against the traitorous Empress and hoping to protect Nikan, Rin forms a precarious alliance with the formidable Dragon Warlord, whose ambitions could reshape the realm. Yet as the truths of the Empress and the Warlord emerge, Rin realizes her love for Nikan may compel her to wield the Phoenix’s terrifying power once more.
A dark and gripping tale of war, vengeance, and the heavy cost of power, The Dragon Republic explores the limits of loyalty, ambition, and sacrifice in a richly imagined, historically inspired world.