Reviews

An Echo in the City by K.X. Song

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reeniestp's review

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inspiring medium-paced

3.75

laurenlee2158's review

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

beckybingbooks's review

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emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes

4.25

Phoenix deals with imposter syndrome having grown up in the US, but now living in Hong Kong with her family. She doesn't feel like a true Hong Kong resident. She struggles with cultural and self identity. Kai has returned to living in Hong Kong with his father after living in Shanghai, China with his mother the last several years. He too struggles with identity issues and finding happiness and direction in his life. Phoenix lives a very privileged life, which often blinds her to understanding Kai who had a very different upbringing. Though they both come from opposite sides in life, they are each working to find themselves and recognize what is truly important to them.

This is a coming of age and love story set against the 2019 Hong Kong protests. Phoenix begins to discover herself through her participation in the protests, while Kai finds his best self through Phoenix and seeing himself through her eyes. I appreciate K.X. Song giving some brief history about the protests and why the people of Hong Kong feel so strongly. But rather it be completely one-sided, I also appreciate the author giving some insight from the opposing side through Kai's eyes as a police academy trainee and also someone from China.

I was drawn to this book because there was a part of me that *felt* I should have some understanding and connection to the story because of my own background. Truth be told, it was hard for me to connect to the politics on either side because I do feel so removed from both China and Hong Kong. However, this book was a great introduction into the political turmoil that's been ongoing in Hong Kong the last several years. It was beautifully written and the vivid descriptions of the city bring it to life.