Poppy War was recommended to me by a friend to help me take my mind off other things and there is no understating what a game-changing recommendation this was.

All I knew going in was that it was about a war and may have something about poppies. From the very first chapter, I was hooked. Without spoiling anything it was very clear from the start that I was going to enjoy this book as I love a classic underdog defying the odds and becoming great arc. This book managed to engage me more than I thought possible and compelled me to read whenever I could, before bed, when I wake up, on the train, in a lecture, the 10 minutes before a meeting any time I could I would be reading this book. The focus on military strategy and the mystery around “shamanism” were uniquely engaging and enjoyable. This book is a must-read and I'm buzzing to read the next one in the trilogy!