A trilogy of fantasy novels by R.F. Kuang, beginning with the Nebula Award-nominated The Poppy War, is getting a television adaptation from Starlight Media, which is also behind such films as Crazy Rich Asians and Midway.
Peter Luo of Starlight Media said that the books had been chosen for adaptation to the screen due to their inspiring themes and setting as well as the strong female protagonist, according to Deadline. Luo lauded the series' "theme of an outcast fighting for recognition" and said that its "compelling historical military fantasy grounded in the history of China make this an epic TV package with inbuilt charm that plays universally."
The first book in the series, titled The Poppy War, was published in 2018 by Harper Voyage. It was followed by the sequel The Dragon Republic in 2019 and then The Burning God, which just hit shelves in November.
The books are described as grimdark high fantasy, with a setting that parallels historical China, particularly the Song Dynasty and the Opium Wars in the twentieth century. Central character Rin is embroiled in her country's conflicts, training for combat and also struggling with her innate shamanic powers. The series' author, Rebecca Kuang, is a scholar of Chinese military strategy.
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Source: Deadline