The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang (2018) Harper Voyager

A war orphan makes her way into a military academy and learns military and arcane arts to serve her empress.  War comes, interrupting her studies and forces the harsh realities of inhumanity into her experiences.  Will she survive?  Will she make a difference?
The writing varies from sophomoric romantic wishes to clear vengeance.  I’ll read the rest of the series because what it does best is leave you wondering what happens next.