Scan barcode
thebookishepicure's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
messypeasofmind's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I learnt a lot about the history of Korea during this period and really enjoyed the insights into different aspects of Korean society. Some topics are very dark, be aware of that. Because of the many characters, it was difficult to connect to them at times and it took some time to get into the story again after a time jump. The love story was very different from what I expected but interesting to read nevertheless. The ending felt like it belonged to a whole different story but I enjoyed that it was not just about the live story in the end.
martine_01's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
readandglow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
piiiesk's review against another edition
This book has a very interesting premise as it is about the Japanese occupation of Korea and displays a wide array of different power structures in a society and also on the interpersonal level. It started with such a swoosh that I couldn’t put it down and I wanted to read it from start to finish in one sitting.
The last parts were surprisingly slow and dragged on a bit with me sometimes forgetting who was who and how they were connected or not yet connected. I was a bit surprised that I stopped feeling emotionally connected to the characters and in the end I unfortunately didn’t even really care anymore.
All in all, a promising concept and a great start of the story but in the end for me just meh.
The last parts were surprisingly slow and dragged on a bit with me sometimes forgetting who was who and how they were connected or not yet connected. I was a bit surprised that I stopped feeling emotionally connected to the characters and in the end I unfortunately didn’t even really care anymore.
All in all, a promising concept and a great start of the story but in the end for me just meh.
kdowli01's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
quequel's review against another edition
5.0
Quanta tristeza cabe em um livro? A narrativa é emocionante e dilacerante, mas tão cheia das verdades desses personagens que não foi fácil se distanciar para observar o contexto de forma geral.. há mesmo certo e errado em algumas situações na guerra? Obrigada Ronan e Alisson pela cia e por colocarem esse livro na minha TBR do nada. rs.
sarahb919's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This book stabs you in the chest repeatedly. It’s very good and I recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Abortion, Alcohol, Blood, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Sexual assault, Murder, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Racism, Misogyny, Addiction, Domestic abuse, War, Sexual violence, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mass/school shootings, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Ableism, Terminal illness, Violence, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Colonisation, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts
emanovill's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
melodys_library's review against another edition
4.0
It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel! Bravo. This is NOT an uplifting book. It is heavy with the weight and turbulence of war, but also saturated with emotions and above all, love.