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The Dragon Republic
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
The searing follow-up to 2018's most celebrated fantasy debut - THE POPPY WAR. In the aftermath of the Third Poppy War, shaman and warrior Rin is on the run: haunted by the atrocity she committed to end the war, addicted to opium, and hiding from the murderous commands of her vengeful god, the fiery Phoenix. Her only reason for living is to get revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold out Nikan to their enemies. With no other options, Rin joins forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who has a plan to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new Republic. Rin throws herself into his war. After all, making war is all she knows how to do. But the Empress is a more powerful foe than she appears, and the Dragon Warlord's motivations are not as democratic as they seem. The more Rin learns, the more she fears her love for Nikan will drive her away from every ally and lead her to rely more and more on the Phoenix's deadly power. Because there is nothing she won't sacrifice for her country and her vengeance... The sequel to R.F. Kuang's acclaimed debut THE POPPY WAR, THE DRAGON REPUBLIC combines the history of 20th-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters, to devastating effect.
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Awk_Word_Smith
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

An utterly enthralling and dizzying story of plot twists and betrayal for the heroine. Rin escaped her poverty-stricken youth to become a soldier at the nation‘s military academy. When thrown into a war, she discovered a power that turned her into a weapon. As Rin learns a jaded lesson in the corruption of power, she finds herself slowly discovering a path for herself—a path where she controls her destiny rather than being a pawn in her own life.

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Awk_Word_Smith
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Third checkout is a charm. I only have a quarter of the book left. Hopefully, life will settle enough for me to knock this one out in a couple of nights.

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PageShifter
Dragon Republic | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

The first 60 % of the book was SLOW! In the last part it started to be easier to relate to characters but I still feel like they were lacking something.

With all these battles this was pretty ugly book.

This could have been shorter, even though I understand why some things were told in the beginning: they played some part later. I really enjoyed the last 40 % and especially some twists.

#SeriesLove23

TheSpineView Great job! 3mo
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 3mo
21 likes2 comments
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underground_bks
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

A cozy spot for a book that‘s anything but…
The last 50 pages had me absolutely breathless! I was more immersed and engaged in this sequel than with The Poppy War because I really didn‘t know what was coming next. Dark, intense, and heroless as always, but a masterpiece of military and historical fantasy.

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DimeryRene
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Brace yourself is right. The audio for this is also 10/10! 🔥

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Awk_Word_Smith
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Finally, the hold came in.

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GatheringBooks
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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#BookBinge Day 23: I really love the #SmokeOnCover vibe of the entire Poppy War trilogy. Paired with this decadent sweet from one of our fave Indian restaurants in Dubai.

Eggs Well done & mouth watering 7mo
44 likes2 comments
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GatheringBooks
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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#VolumesAndVocals Day 1: There is an #EdgeOfSeventeenStevieNicks feel to the Poppy trilogy since the main character is a petulant unsympathetic teenager who also happens to be unflappably and unapologetically brilliant. Our Arabic dessert looks delicious, doesn‘t it? 💕🥰😘

wildwoodreads Yummmm 10mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Looks delicious 😋 10mo
Eggs Well done 👍🏼 🍰🍧🍨 10mo
60 likes3 comments
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GatheringBooks
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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#MayMontage Day 15: This is just the #Authors2ndBook yet it is so hands down brilliant. RF Kuang is a literary gem filled with rage. Well at least her characters are.

Eggs 🖤🩶🖤 10mo
Pageturner1 what is that piece of yumminess!! where is this at? 10mo
GatheringBooks @Pageturner1 it‘s a chocolate crepe with homemade vanilla ice cream on the side, plus moroccan tea. 💕 It‘s one of our go-to places here in the UAE: Shakespeare and Co. Yup, it‘s not a bookstore here but a restaurant. 💕 10mo
Hooked_on_books Your crepe looks amazing! 🤤 10mo
58 likes4 comments
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BehindthePages
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

This grimdark military fantasy will spare no one. Be prepared to dive into the darkest depths of war, and all the chaotic and tangled relationships that come along with it. Choosing a side isn‘t so easy when friends are on the opposite one. But war is war, and Rin will live up to her full potential as a deadly shaman no matter the costs.

Review https://www.behindthepages.org/post/the-dragon-republic-by-r-f-kuang-book-review

35 likes1 stack add
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Conservio
Dragon Republic | R F Kuang
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reading the #library while my son plays #china #war #gruesome

11 likes1 stack add
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GatheringBooks
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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#MarchMagic Day 11: Tagged book is Goodreads Choice Award for fantasy (2019), while book on the right won Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy (2020) - and not just #NominatedForGoodreadsAward - I think I will crack these babies open tonight. Because, hey, why not? 💕

Eggs 🤍🖤🤍 13mo
47 likes1 comment
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451Degrees
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Second in the Poppy War series and there‘s a lot of stuff going on in these books! I have a little bit of a hard time transitioning between events and got lost a couple of times but the book definitely keeps you on your toes. A little graphic at times but seeing as they are in the middle of a war that‘s to be expected. Its not knocking my socks off but I‘m intrigued to see how the third one finishes.

46 likes1 stack add
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Rileytmurray
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
Pickpick

Another great book for the series! The cast was on point and the plot keeled me interested the entire time. Definitely a worthy sequel to the first book

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thewallflower0707
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

This series is just one gut punch after the next. Rin is filled with so much rage and a thirst of revenge. She wants to see the world burn, no matter what it costs. Often, as a reader this is very hard to swallow.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

#TheDragonRepublic #RFKuang

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DarkMina
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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42 of 2022. #Booked2022 #setinchina ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

BarbaraTheBibliophage Nice! I used the first book from this series for this prompt. Also looking forward to her new book, out soon. 2y
Cinfhen Well played 🥳 2y
DarkMina @Cinfhen Thanks! 2y
DarkMina @BarbaraTheBibliophage I am liking this series so I will have to check out her new one. Thanks! (edited) 2y
17 likes4 comments
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groofay
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
Pickpick

I am absolutely reeling from the end of this book. I never thought I would like military fantasy quite so much as I've loved the Poppy War trilogy so far, but as the stakes keep rising for characters I've grown to...not exactly “love“ so much as know as if they were real people since book 1, this entry is setting the stage for something equal parts epic and horrible in the conclusion.

That said, shit, I need a breather. This one was exhausting.

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hartofashieldmaiden
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

When I wasn't reading this book all I could think about was reading it. When I was reading this book I lost all sense of time (which did make me late for work on one occasion 😅).

Haunted by the terrible choices she had to make to save her people, Rin's only reason for living is to take revenge on the traitorous Empress who sold her homeland to its enemies.

After all, making war is all she knows how to do...

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Nessavamusic
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this so much, I completed two puzzles to just keep listening. This is book 2 in The Poppy War trilogy, which is a dark fantasy inspired by 20th century Chinese history. It is brutal and action packed and excellent on audiobook. 5⭐️

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authoramdeese
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
Mehso-so

So after the incredible first book in series I was looking forward to the next installment. Once again, the narrator (I listened to audiobook) did an amazing job handling the large cast. But for me, this book struggled with a bit of middle-book slump. Several events needed to occur and be explained, but for me, I found myself in turns either bored with the narrative or annoyed by Rin. The ending was super strong though and I will continue reading.

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BarbaraTheBibliophage
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Good second book in trilogy. A little battle / war heavy for me. But I still love how Kuang melds the fantasy elements with real Asian history. And Ren is a flawed heroine for the ages!

Forgot to post this, so if want the full review, scroll down a bit at https://www.TheBibliophage.com
#thebibliophage2022

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tphil10283
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
Pickpick

I recommend reading this series by a young woman that obviously thinks about things in a way that I would not expect from a young woman. I guess that probably says more about me than young women. It‘s just so violently imaginative that I just wouldn‘t expect it.

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jackilynn
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick
10 likes1 stack add
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Caroline2
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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A soft pick. The beginning and ending were great but there‘s a good 200 pages in the middle that, because of a stupid plot point, really dragged and we‘re frankly boring and annoying. It‘s very hard to root for Rin in this book and I loved her in the first book. Hmm.

Caroline2 Did anyone else find it really annoying when Rin lost her powers?! For me, the story lost all interest then and just became a bog standard war trauma retelling?! 2y
Vansa Given that Rin is supposed to be Mao Zedong in a fantasy setting, she's definitely not meant to be sympathetic! 2y
Caroline2 @Vansa Ahhhhhh, ok that makes more sense! 👍 2y
78 likes3 comments
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ParkerFinn
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
Pickpick

This book was painfully good. Rin is such a gray character. I don‘t actually like her, but I can‘t help but see the justice in the things she does. I can‘t wait to see how this ends.

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Lostinagoodbook
Dragon Republic | R F Kuang
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Pickpick

THE DRAGON REPUBLIC by R.F. Kuang
Fascinating main villain. Got to love a good villain! 😈
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#bookreviews #reading #epicfantasy #NetGalley

Full review at: https://lostnagoodbook.wordpress.com/2021/08/13/the-dragon-republic/

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BookBelle84
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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This trilogy is amazing. Over 600 pages and never a dull moment. #mustread #highlyrecommend

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Brittbritt
Dragon Republic | R F Kuang
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Super in the fantasy mood rn- these are some of the books on my immediate tbr - especially shadow and bone which I want to reread before the show comes out!!

imyril I just finished The Dragon Republic and aaaah it‘s hard going (dark military fantasy so not my thing) but I love these traumatized trash children and the slow development of their characters and the expanding world 3y
19 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LouBeth
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one more then the first. That ending🤯 Now I have really high hopes for book 3.

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SilverShanica
Dragon Republic | R F Kuang
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I am posting one book per day from my to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new - don‘t judge me I have a lot of books.
Join the fun if you want. This is day 63.
#bookstoread
#tbrpile
#bookstagram

2 likes1 stack add
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js0315
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Mehso-so

Finally finished this. Not quite exciting as the first, most of it slugged on, until the ending. Putting off the third for awhile until I finish some other two I have.

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Cheerful! And I‘m only on PAGE NINE...

UPDATE : it has been clarified that the uniforms were washed, some more than once before wearing. However some smells linger.

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thegirlwiththelibrarybag
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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I‘m trying to psych myself up to read my #BookSpin book but so far I‘ve only gotten as far as trying this chocolate (delicious! thanks again @Lyssa131330 - the raspberry and rose combo is 👌) and drinking some peppermint tea...

julesG The mug is 😍😂 3y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag @julesG, it‘s cute and it holds the entire contents of a “two person” teapot 🤣 3y
julesG Ah, perfect mug. 3y
52 likes3 comments
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FantasyChick
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

I was hoping to get this finished for #JoyousJanuary but I didn't realize how long the audiobook was!
This is a great sequel. The ending doesn't scream "I need the next book now!" And I'm not really following intense love I've seen for this series, but it is well done and really enjoyable

#bingo 3 and 4!!

#jumpstart2021 #Over500pages #bookspinbingo #seriesread2021 @Clwojick @Lizpixie @TheAromaofBooks @TheSpineView @Andrew65

TheSpineView 👍📖📚 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
Clwojick Awesome cover 😍 3y
Andrew65 Well done 👏👏👏 3y
43 likes4 comments
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mdemanatee
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Ok my lack of focus/reading slump has been hitting me really hard but this was excellent and am finally moving on to the Burning God.

Mrs_B Oooo pretty cover! 3y
mdemanatee @Mrs_B the whole trilogy has really excellent covers! 3y
19 likes2 comments
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mdemanatee
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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I just started and am already angry at the binding in my copy, I don‘t have an ebook to switch back and forth from like The Poppy War, and it‘s the longest book In the series. I guess we‘ll see how this goes.

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Chittavrtti
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Found this sequel to the Poppy War yesterday. Just what my overfill brain needs to escape(I hope:)

3 likes1 stack add
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Addison_Reads
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Excellent book! I didn't think I could love it as much as the first one, but it's even better. 💚

I love the world building, the action, and the flawed characters fighting for change. Rin is mouthy and hot-headed and I get so engrossed wondering what she'll do next.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Scochrane26 Cool cover 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
33 likes2 comments
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cleoh
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

I have zero coherent thoughts about this. I loved it. It was traumatizing. Why do I have to wait until November for the final book?

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cleoh
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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• The Dragon Republic, A Song Below Water, and Toil and Trouble
• Lore by Alexandra Bracken
• while browsing, yes - I‘m more likely to pick something up if the cover catches my eye

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

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cleoh
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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I‘m taking today off from school and my original plan had been to spend the day reading in the sun, but now it‘s raining. Currently curled under a blanket, ready to be emotionally devastated this 🥰

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SW-T
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Mehso-so

Characters don‘t have to be likable for you to like a book. However, Rin, for me, was incredibly annoying so it was hard to really care. I skimmed as much as read to get through this one. For all my annoyance, I kept reading though and didn‘t just toss it at the wall. For that, giving it a so-so rather than a pan or bail.

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TheBookKeepers
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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One of my new favorite series! This is book 2 in The Poppy Wars trilogy. If fantasy is your jam, this series is pretty epic! Woven with Asian historical context and folklore, and packed with action and complex characters. Recommend the audiobook production as well!

mhillis Ohhhh I can‘t wait to read this! 4y
68 likes1 stack add1 comment
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uwak
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

oh man, what a book! not only did Kuang fix a lot of the glaring pacing/structural issues that plagued the 1st book, she focused a lot of the plot on a bonkers game of page-turning political chess. not to mention the last 5 chapters or so doing a massive 180 story-wise while Rin tries to figure out where her alliances lie. this sequel improves so much over the first book, and I think the author was more in her writing element here.

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MartinaLove
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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My plans for the day. Eat and read. 😆🍲📚

16 likes1 stack add
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MartinaLove
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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While waiting to see if my classes will be cancel because of the pandemic. I'll be at home, as always, reading this brick.

All schools are close for 2 weeks where I live, so I doubt they'll keep Colleges open.

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MartinaLove
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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The two books that have my attention this week.

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MartinaLove
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Now that I have all my books in hand.
Here is my TBR pile for the #Marchunshelfing #readathon .

I also have The Crown of Feathers and Ninth House, on the side. I needed a break from these books. I don't plan, so far, to finish them this week.

TheNerdyProfessor I loved Ask Again Yes! 4y
BookBelle84 The Merciful Crow was awesome! 4y
MartinaLove @TheNerdyProfessor Hopefully I won't cry. 4y
See All 6 Comments
MartinaLove @BookBelle84 It seem interesting. 4y
Clwojick This one was SOOO good 4y
MartinaLove @Clwojick My next read after Half-Blood. I can't wait to read it. 4y
18 likes6 comments
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Carolyn11215
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Pickpick

Gods, shamans, pirate smugglers, former classmate bonding and betrayal, western vs eastern religious clashes, strategy of war/invasion and a heartbreaking heroine who is being used as a weapon by a god and by warlords. 2nd book in the series. Can‘t wait for 3rd book to be released in late 2020!

phatsallylee I have the first one still on my tbr. Have to find time to get started on it! 4y
19 likes1 comment
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Carolyn11215
The Dragon Republic | R. F. Kuang
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Which will be the lucky one? My list is updated for March #bookspin. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo, look at you go with your March list already!! 4y
claudiuo Thank you so much for posting a new list of books. I am so silly, I thought #bookspin is one list of books for the whole year, different numbers drawn each month by @TheAromaofBooks Only now seeing you posted a new list with a new entry added in the place of the already read book, I realized I have to update my list too. Thank you! 4y
TheAromaofBooks @claudiuo - all the numbers will be in play each month, so you can either fill in the blanks with new books, make an entirely new list (which is what I end up doing haha) or you can give some titles double numbers (e.g. since we used 12 this month, you could make your no. 11 book be both 11 and 12, or something like that). It's pretty flexible - this is a low-key challenge!! 4y
claudiuo @TheAromaofBooks This sounds great, thanks for the clarification, it helps a lot. 4y
TheAromaofBooks I'm not exactly making up rules as I go, but close! 😁 4y
22 likes5 comments