I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

My Rating: 5 Stars

It will never cease to amaze me that R.F. Kuang began this incredible trilogy when she was only 19 years old. At that age I had just discovered my freedom from my parents and was in no way shape or form in a position to write a book. Not only did she provide us with a grimdark trilogy that I had no idea I needed in my life, she managed to improve upon her craft with every novel written. The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic were both incredible, but The Burning God was, in my opinion, the shining star of the trilogy.

Rin as a chracter absolutely astounded me. Her resilience, her stubborn will to not only live, but to win, and her determination to get her revenge by any means necessary all blew me away. She grew over the course of the series into a woman who was somehow equally terrifying and an inspiring testament to the feats you can achieve with willpower alone.

While Rin wasn’t the character that I liked the most (that honor will always be reserved for Kitay), she was a character that I felt emotionally bonded to throughout the series. She made questionable decisions, and committed atrocities that I never could’ve imagined. However, the beauty of R.F. Kuang’s writing is that no matter what Rin did, I was always on her side. I was constantly rooting for her, even if it didn’t seem like the right choice to make at the time.

The battle and strategy sequences throughout the series were incredible, but honestly managed to blow my mind on a whole new level in this third installment. They were fast paced, and kept my heart pounding as I devoured page after page in a sheer panic. I felt the urgency of those scenes seeping through the pages.

Overall, this may be one of the best series endings I’ve read in a long time. The way that The Burning God ended just felt right to me. I closed my kindle and even though I was a snotty, sobbing mess, I felt completely satisfied with the way that things wrapped up. I genuinely can’t wait to see what R.F. Kuang has in store for us next.

In THE BURNING GOD, Kuang continues to hone her craft. I’m awed by the level of her storytelling, writing, and depth. The military fantasy elements are so well-done here in the way the battles, strategies, and day-to-day dealings are crafted.

But beyond war, the number one strength of the book, as it has been with the other books, is the characters. Rin is the heart of the story, of course, and I don't know if you could tell this particular story any other way. Rin is a character that is very hard to put into a box. I don't know if there's a simple way to describe her. I loved her journey in this book, her mistakes, frustrations, and terrible decisions included.

A fantastic, heart-wrenching, horrible, amazing, frustrating, debatable, marvelous ending.

OMG. The ending of this trilogy is AMAZING. The ending was absolutely gutting, but also sort of satisfying. I may not have liked everything about what ultimately happened, but it was done in a way that brings everything back to the beginning. Heavy on war and strategy, some of that stuff went over my head, but it was good to see glimpses of humanity in some of the worst characters. This series was amazing from beginning to end, and I can't wait to read anything else by this author.

The heart-wrenching finale of this trilogy does not disappoint. As with the others, prepare for heavy subject matter, unflinching descriptions of brutality, and a race to the finish as this tale of gods, mortals, and those who step in between finds its end.

THE BURNING GOD is a masterful piece of grimdark historical fantasy. Kuang and therefore, the reader, never loses sight of the characters, who they are, and how they handle each new trial. It is a story that delves deep into what humanity is capable of, and what choices each of us may make to survive.

Put it on your top shelf as a new and wholly impressive cornerstone of Adult Fantasy.

It is my closely-held opinion that writing ‘dark’ books (and media, in general) is an often over-praised pursuit, backed by people who think gritty darkness automatically makes something “good.” This caution is also why I think THE BURNING GOD (and the entire Poppy War trilogy as a whole) is such a triumph.

There are enough books written about the makings of people, gods, and monsters — but few capture the intersection as intimately as THE BURNING GOD. This is a book you enter knowing that it will end in some level of tragedy, a barbed conclusion to a sprawling, masterfully messy war drama that is as much about broken friendships as it is about the plights and aftermaths of armies.

The wars and atrocities described in THE BURNING GOD are deliberately, debilitatingly personal. Through Rin’s eyes, we get to watch as alliances and fortunes change on a dime, and characters who had chapters-long arcs die as an afterthought. Her erratic, contaminated view of a war that she was desperate to not only survive, but thrive in, is full of mistakes and biases and triumphs and disappointments that we cannot ever distance ourselves from. It’s a running commentary on the raw effects of colonialism, of trauma, of having your choices limited by the messy, selfish actions of others.

But by far the most interesting commentary I think RF Kuang has to offer is on the nature of our world, and the role of chaos within it. What is “all-powerful” in the way of man’s desire to play god? What are we, if not destined to return to chaos in a world where nothing lasts? Not nations, not friendships, not love. In a way, we are chaos — men, gods, monsters, and whatever the intersection of all three may become — but can it be tamed? Is there something superior, something more eternal?

What is real, other than chaos?

Psychic damage aside, RF Kuang’s trilogy is a masterclass in storytelling, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Before I begin, I just want to give a little bit of background on why I love this series so much. I grew up reading high fantasy. I needed to get my hand on every book possible, but while I loved every moment reading everything, it was also my downfall. I grew tired of the genre and seemingly reading the same story over and over again. I stopped for about 10 years until picking up The Poppy War last year, reigniting my love for the genre again.
That being said, I love all three books but The Burning God is a masterpiece. It is hard to humanize a character like Rin in a book so concentrated with war and strategy. Despite all of the detail, the relationships that Rin builds within the story shines through. Despite her hate and stubbornness and pain, you feel the need to love her. It would have been easy to just speed through and end the book at the end of the war, but I am so glad that didn't happen, because in reality that wasn't the story. It was a story about how 3 teenagers who loved and hated each other could upend a country because of that. This book was painful in the best way. Best book I have read this year.

Are you kidding me? That ending. An epic conclusion to an epic trilogy. This series has made my top books each time a new one has been released and now we are at the end. R.F. Kuang is a fantastic writer that creates characters that makes you think and brings emotions to the surface with each flip of the page. I can't wait to see what she does in the future.

It was such a privilege to read the entirety of this trilogy. Never before has a book left me feeling so deeply emotional. Kuang is an excellent storyteller and writer; I felt an attachment of some kind to nearly every character on the pages, and oftentimes it was difficult to decide whose side I was even on. This was a brutal, visceral book -- and series -- that I cannot recommend highly enough. It is thought-provoking, emotional, and incredibly written. This series will stick in my mind for a long time to come. And I will be reading anything else Kuang writes regardless of the subject matter.

This book was received as an ARC from HarperCollins Publishers - Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

At first, this plot was a little confusing. I was not sure if this was going to be an action drama/war novel or a overcoming adversity novel where the protagonist is stuck in a rut battling her way to victory. It was both and it was a triumph in the making. The determination Rin faced while seeking her new allies and then figuring out people aren't always what they seem and you could even be part of a war in the making and not even aware of it. When I finished the book, I could not believe the outcome. I was so shocked and frozen with excitement that I could not wait to hear the thoughts of our teen book club.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

ARC provided by the publisher for an honest review. This review shall contain no spoilers, since the book is several months away from release.

I have read a great number of trilogies and series in my admittedly short life. Fantasy series like Eragon and Harry Potter were my introduction to the world of fantasy. More recently, I've devoured A Song of Ice and Fire, Six of Crows, Vicious and Vengeful, A Darker Shade of Magic among others. But THE BURNING GOD stands alone atop the mountain of fantasy novels I've read as the undisputed king (or, in this case, queen).

R. F. Kuang has completely outdone herself. I have never felt more swept away by the conclusion to a series than I have by this book. Never have I dreaded, hoped for, or mourned for a cast of characters the way I have for Rin, Kitay, and Nezha. This book was a rollercoaster of emotion from start to finish. From the thrilling rush of revenge, to the cold depths of fear, to the burning inferno of anger, and the crushing sadness of loss, this book took me through a range I'd frankly forgotten books could take me through.

I felt the end coming from a long way off, but I was not prepared when it arrived. When I put THE BURNING GOD down, I stared off into space for several minutes not knowing whether to smile or cry (mostly cry). I couldn't believe the journey was over, and I couldn't believe I was left with that mixture of emotion. I sense the ending will cause some debate among fans of this series. Maybe even some anger. George R. R. Martin has always teased with his Song of Ice and Fire series that the ending would be "bittersweet." But I think R. F. Kuang has not only achieved an ending with a similar effect on the reader, but went a step beyond. The end felt right. It felt earned, well-developed, built-up-to... but it hurt for all of those reasons.

I almost want to be mad at it, but I can't because it was just so brilliantly written.

The prose in this book is immaculate. And, while the story mostly takes place from the point of view of Fang Runin, as the previous two installments have, Kuang also gives us a handful of new perspectives to receive the story through at times. This was a refreshing way to tell the last leg of the journey and I feel so privileged to have been one of the few to have read it before its November release. Seriously, guys. Get this book. You will not regret the journey. This series will be one I revisit many times.

I have no idea where to start for this review. This book was absolutely incredible, and is undoubtedly Kuang’s best work yet.
This was such a wonderful way to end this incredible trilogy. I am nowhere near recovered from that explosive ending, but I think it handled the end of Fang Runin’s story wonderfully. After having reread the first two books, followed by this one in the span of about a week, it was incredible seeing Rin’s development throughout the trilogy, from a terrified war orphan going into an incredibly hostile environment, to an immensely powerful and confident soldier. I loved how every situation was handled in a way that felt very real, and how you could see the consequences of every action and decision taken in the books.
I would love to one day return to Nikara and see how things have fared after the events of this book, but I could not have asked for a more fitting end to this story.

This was an utterly well-done conclusion to a hell of a trilogy.

If you're reading this, you're probably already familiar with the bones of the story. Rin is a young woman who grew up as a peasant and worked hard to test into the most selective military academy in a haunting fantasy version of early 20th-century China. She's also a shaman who can call on the Phoenix to burn anything she wishes. When we meet her again in this volume, after we saw Rin defeat foreign invaders and betrayed by her allies, she is still at war.

This was a satisfying concluding volume in myriad ways. The battles are high-stakes and exciting. We see Rin return to her home. The end of the book is foreshadowed really nicely.

My largest (perhaps only) complaint is how much I've forgotten about the plot since I read the first and second volumes. A quick summary at the front of the book would have been a godsend, especially since the character list in the back of the book isn't helpful. Some of the character interactions would have definitely benefited with a fresh knowledge of the earlier plot. That said, the book still flows well and I devoured it. And there's a good reason to reread the entire trilogy!

The fangirl side of me deeply wishes we had seen more interactions between Rin and Kitay, Altan, and Nezha.While I love how so much weight is embedded in every interaction, I really wanted even more time with these characters. Here's hoping the author's tweets about pre-order goodies comes true.

P.S. Go watch Ms. Kuang's acceptance speech for the 2020 Hugo Awards. It's a cutting critique of the industry's treatment of people of color.

The Burning God is the stunning conclusion to The Poppy War trilogy. I went into this book expecting nothing less than being completely and utterly destroyed. The first two books were brutal and unrelenting to both the reader and its characters.

Rin has become such a strong character. She is hardened by battle, rage, and has sacrificed so much to get to the point she is at. Yes, she is unlikable at times, but I feel like that only adds to the complexity of her character. I don’t think we are supposed to be rooting for her at this point, but at this point the reader is so invested in her story it’s hard to not want her to be happy.

This book is complicated, and it’s only understandable that the ending is nothing less. The pacing is well-done. I never felt that there was a lull in action or too much action. It was masterfully executed, and I highly recommend you pick this series up.

This is a solid, if bleak, finish to the trilogy, and very much in the same vein as the 2nd book. It's very well written, and well told. We have more or less the same cast of characters, and there is very little character re-development so it's better if you've read the previous books recently or it would probably feel pretty hollow. Many people are mentioned briefly and without having the history fresh in your mind you miss out on a lot. In fact, nostalgia is a prominent theme. Rin even becomes nostalgic for Tikany, the city she hated and gleefully escaped in the first book. People who love truly bleak tragedy should love this book. I don't want to give too much away, but this story is basically about making the best of all really terrible options, without the skills or resources to do it well. The complete, overwhelming evil portrayal of the Hesperians gives me some perspective on how Asians might view Americans or Europeans. The complete, overwhelming corruption of anyone with any amount of power is disturbing. This book is disturbing, overall, but with some benefit of forcing me to think of uncomfortable things, which can be good sometimes.

Before going into The Burning God, I was ready for my heart to be destroyed. That is how I'll always feel going into a series that's not only one of my favorite, but also is from an author who I associate with emotional destruction. I will forever be amazed at the plotting and character development of Kuang. Having been a fan of this series before The Poppy War released, I've been able to witness this amazing character, and world, development throughout the series. It's been a privilege.

Seeing the ways Rin has been shaped by her past, her mistakes, her vengeance, and her pain. The ways she's been turned into a weapon, embracing the Phoenix within her, consistently trying to fight for what is right, especially when it's hard. It makes me question what the world makes of us. Not only what they think about us, judging our decisions when they profit of the blood we spill, but also what the world turns us into. The monstrous names, the prejudices rained against us, the fear steeped in desire. The infinite ways stories can be erased, removed, and retconned to destroy an entire group of people. To excuse an entire genocide. But at the same time, how we see them not as humans, not as individuals, but as something abstract, non-human, to make the killing easier, and the guilt that comes at night wears their shapes, but not their faces.

The Burning God tells the story of a bloodied revolution that cleanses itself with fire, retribution, and screams (mostly of mine while reading). Despite my review, and just my general state of emotional destruction, The Burning God also has moments of happiness, laughter, and humor. Because while this series is incredibly masterful, there's also a strong sense of character and friendship. One that gives Kuang's characters heart, emotional angst, and tear potential. It asks us what mark we will make on the world, on a society that might revere us, or be revolted by us.

The Burning God is the finale of The Poppy War Trilogy and my most anticipated release of 2020, so obviously I dropped everything to read it immediately, hoping it would leave my heart stomped on and I'm thrilled to report it's currently smeared all over the floor. I won't post any details but it's a fitting end for the series and all I wanted. Just perfect.

A lot happens. Similar to The Dragon Republic, the story takes Rin to many different places and through many different situations and the plot progresses at a relentless pace. There are the usual plot twists, betrayals, and fake outs that we have come to expect from Kuang's books. The Burning God was certainly exciting and it brings the trilogy to a satisfying conclusion. I felt the book does somewhat successfully show Rin's growth from the first book and does not shy away from her shortcomings. Many of the side characters are not so lucky and feel very thin. We never really get a good look inside the head of Kitay and Venka, who have been with us since the first book. In many ways, all the plot in the book has overtaken the characters. There are new characters introduced and then taken out of the story that were difficult to emotionally invest in. Some characters from previous books make cameo appearances that have minimal impact on the plot. I do like that it's clear no character is safe; anyone can die at the drop of a hat, so the reality of war feels very real. Perhaps it is a good thing to not be too attached to any of the characters?

I give the book 4 out of 5 stars. I think The Burning God managed to avoid many of the cliches and traps of other fantasy series and always kept me at the edge of my seat. There is good social commentary on war and political regimes and what it takes to build a nation. There is no clear good or evil -- every side in the conflict has its own vision and goals. Fang Runin is definitely a force to remember. Unfortunately, it was harder to invest in some of the other characters and that detracted from the overall experience.

Some of the scenes featuring both Nezha and Rin felt very out of place in the context of the war they are fighting in. I think there are a few scenes that explore Nezha's motivations, but he remained a rather abstruse character to the bitter end.

thank you netgalley and Harper for my death. when I tell you I SCREAMED when I saw the acceptance email I’m barely exaggerating. (got it earlier today, threw myself through and stayed up until 3am)

all the stars I can give, genuinely. The Burning God has been one of the books I’ve been most looking forward to this year.

Content warnings that I can remember: gore, riots, immolation, cannibalism, child death, eye gore, slight body horror, war crimes, mentions of rape, mentions of mutilation, mentions of torture, self-harm, substance use, mentions of substance addiction, starvation. All are treated respectfully in-narriative.

Like The PoppyWar and The Dragon Republic, The Burning God rips a hole in your heart and burrows deep inside, leaving you staring at whatever blank surface you can find.

R.F. Kuang truly has a gift for making you feel. She relies not on shock value but human thought, and how processes are twisted. She does not excuse Rin’s actions in previous books, for all that Rin makes excuses. Kuang agonizingly keeps us in Rin’s mind while Rin does what she feels she must.

There are some bright spots in relationships (another thing Kuang is exceedingly talented in), and dynamics are bonds of beauty and characterization. Rarely is a character one-dimensional, the impacts of their environment always shaping them.

Rin, Kitay, and Venka’s relationship is a bright shining core of this book, and the complex relationship of Rin, Kitay, and Nezha set the stage for more. All are given the page time they deserve.

I didn’t want it to be over. And yet, I can’t see any other way it might have ended. I loved this book with my whole soul, and I cannot wait for the release.

The Burning God is an unflinching, astonishingly powerful conclusion to a series that is a must read for fans of fantasy and military fantasy novels. Throughout the entire series, R.F. Kuang has never shied away from looking at the brutalities of revolution and wars that have defined these books, and fully explores the consequences of the actions our protagonists have taken in their attempts to win them. This book is no different, and as Rin's story comes to a close it becomes readily apparent that in a world where so much has been set against her that more things are going to have to break before she can find the peace and stability that she has fought to bring to her country.

A truly fantastic read, and one that series fans will find themselves coming to the conclusion by the end of the book that the series could have not ended better in any other way.

I want to thank Harper Voyager US and Netgalley for granting me an arc of The Burning God by R.F. Kuang.
R.F. Kuang did it y’all. The Burning God is, in my opinion, the best finale I’ve ever read. When I read The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic, I thought there was no way I’d like the third book more than the previous ones just because I ADORED them. But I was mistaken, The Burning God is truly the best book R.F. Kuang wrote so far.
This book is really filled with blood, death, destruction, war, complicated relationships and lots of fires.
I want to start with the plot. A lot happens in this book, you follow the characters through a really long journey. It’s not just a war story, it really is so much more. You follow the characters fighting while also unraveling some secrets that were hidden in the history and insides of Nikan which makes this book so mysterious and full of plottwists. This is the kind of book where you find yourself feeling that something is wrong until you get hit by the harsh realities of war and destruction.
The characters and relationships were so well written. Rin is still my favourite character although I do think she goes too far in this book and becomes blinded by revenge. She really wants to lead, she wants to be the one who saves the day without realising that she might destroy everything. Rin is so unique, the way she looks at things and judges them is very interesting and daunting. Her relationship with Kitay was so so so good. I love both of them so much. Kitay was always the one who helped Rin think logically and cause less damage in the world. He kept reminding her of her real goals and who she is and I loved how she saw him as her other half. They really became some of my favourite characters of all time. And then there is Nezha. I actually never liked him and I hoped he would lose everything but I was shocked by how my opinion changed. I, now, like Nezha. He’s one of my favourites in this series. I started to understand him and see where he was coming from. His relationship with Rin was so well written and you could see his real intentions through the dialogue that is so beautifully written. So Rin, Kitay and Nezha are really well written characters that will always stay with you and let you feel different emotions towards them.
The way this trilogy ended was perfect. I couldn’t think of a better ending. I loved how all my questions were answered and how you could see all the consequences of different actions from characters and their beliefs. You really see that Kuang tried to give every single character an ending and that really worked as everything that happened felt right. When I finished The Burning God I was feeling a lot. I needed to walk and narrow all of my thoughts down in a row. Then I concluded that this ending is heartbreaking and beautiful. This book really makes you feel different emotions and I loved that.
I’ll never forget this trilogy. Rin, Kitay and Nezha will always remember me of this devastating journey that taught me a lot. I want to thank R.F. Kuang for writing these books and I can’t wait to read her next novels that will for sure be good.