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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such an emotionally gripping story; loved learning the end was based on a true event
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It took me a while to finish this book because I needed to stop every so often to process whatever scene I just read. If the goal is to affect the readers emotionally, without a doubt the author succeeded.
The writing is light with a nonchalant quality to it, but the story unfolds in a way that suffocates not only Daiyu the character but also me the reader. It feels like the higher power (*cough cough* the author) keeps dangling a carrot of hope in front of Daiyu just to push her off yet another cliff. I wanted to say that Daiyu's life was a roller coaster but come to think of it, she never truly soared to any height. If anything, she got pushed down, found a way to stand back up, then got knocked off again. Every time things seemed to be turning around for her, I would cheer and silently hope for a happy ending but I was disappointed every time. I could only imagine the despair one would face if life treats you like this.
Against all odds, Daiyu did not end in despair, she somehow found contentment in her self and in death. I admire her resiliency and her relentless pursuit of a better future. She seemed tireless even when she said she was. In the end, she had every reason to be selfish, but she chose to be true to her compassionate nature. She is such a strong character even when she was portrayed to be so vulnerable all the time. I just love her so much.
I especially love the way history is weaved into the fabric of this book, with references to real events of violence against Chinese Americans and the racist lawmaking ways of the time.
With such a glowing review, I ought to give this book 5 stars, but I'm not sure I enjoy certain plot points so much. Namely, I didn't care for the way Nelson was portrayed and how his girlfriend decided to betray and turn on him. Something about the predictability of that scene just turned me off.
The writing is light with a nonchalant quality to it, but the story unfolds in a way that suffocates not only Daiyu the character but also me the reader. It feels like the higher power (*cough cough* the author) keeps dangling a carrot of hope in front of Daiyu just to push her off yet another cliff. I wanted to say that Daiyu's life was a roller coaster but come to think of it, she never truly soared to any height. If anything, she got pushed down, found a way to stand back up, then got knocked off again. Every time things seemed to be turning around for her, I would cheer and silently hope for a happy ending but I was disappointed every time. I could only imagine the despair one would face if life treats you like this.
Against all odds, Daiyu did not end in despair, she somehow found contentment in her self and in death. I admire her resiliency and her relentless pursuit of a better future. She seemed tireless even when she said she was. In the end, she had every reason to be selfish, but she chose to be true to her compassionate nature. She is such a strong character even when she was portrayed to be so vulnerable all the time. I just love her so much.
I especially love the way history is weaved into the fabric of this book, with references to real events of violence against Chinese Americans and the racist lawmaking ways of the time.
With such a glowing review, I ought to give this book 5 stars, but I'm not sure I enjoy certain plot points so much. Namely, I didn't care for the way Nelson was portrayed and how his girlfriend decided to betray and turn on him. Something about the predictability of that scene just turned me off.
dark
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Wow, this book taught me so much about the Chinese presence in the United States and specifically Idaho. Growing up in Idaho I was never taught about this history and the huge impact and work they contributed to the area. I would never expect that this book was a debut, it was beautifully told and cleverly offered so many different perspectives while only using one main character, very impressive. Highly recommend.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
devastatingly good for a debut novel. but im dnf'ing because i can't handle this level of sorrow... just yet.