The Poppy War

The Poppy War – R. F. Kuang
The Poppy War, Book #1
Genre: Epic Fantasy / Historical Fantasy / Military Fantasy
 
Tropes:
Orphaned protagonist rises against oppression
Shamanic powers and godly intervention
Political intrigue and looming war
 
Summary
Rin, a war orphan from Rooster Province, shocks everyone by acing the Keju—the Empire-wide exam that grants entry to the elite Sinegard military academy. For the first time, she is free from the servitude and despair of her daily life.
At Sinegard, Rin faces prejudice for her gender, color, and poverty, while discovering a deadly, unearthly aptitude for shamanism. Guided by a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, she awakens to powers long thought extinct—and learns that the gods, especially the vengeful Phoenix, are very real.
With the Nikara Empire at a fragile peace and the militarized Federation of Mugen threatening across the sea, Rin’s newfound abilities may be the only way to prevent a Third Poppy War. But mastering her powers comes at a terrifying cost: victory may demand her humanity, and the consequences of her actions may already be irreversible. The Poppy War is a dark, gripping epic blending historical inspiration, military strategy, and powerful magic.