"The Poppy War" is a trilogy of epic fantasy novels written by R.F. Kuang. The series is inspired by Chinese history, particularly the Second Opium War, and combines elements of fantasy, mythology, and horror. The following is a brief description of the stories in this trilogy: Background: * The world in "The Poppy War" is divided into several empires, with the Nikara Empire at the center of the story. Nikara has a long history of war and political intrigue. * The main character, Rin, is an orphan girl from a small village who managed to enter Sinegard Academy, the most prestigious military academy in Nikara. * In Sinegard, Rin discovered that he had a rare talent for shamanism, the ability to summon powerful gods. Story Core: * This trilogy follows Rin's journey from a poor student to a powerful warrior, and ultimately to a central figure in a devastating war. * Rin must face an internal conflict between her desire for revenge and her responsibility towards the people of Nikara. * The story explores complex themes such as war, genocide, trauma, and morality.