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schnurln's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Trafficking
cait's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sofiercely's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Rape, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder
tnociti's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Four Treasures of the Sky is a work of historical fiction that feels like an epic. It traverses China and the United States in the late nineteenth century. It’s a mix of historical fiction (with some key plot points being inspired by actual events as well as the more general background being historically accurate), magical realism, and Chinese folklore with a lot of information about calligraphy blended in. Early on we learn that the protagonist Lin Daiyu is named after a tragic Chinese literary heroine. She worries about whether this is an ill omen for her life. By the end of the book it is easy to conclude that it was. Several of the broad plot points - girl trafficked to work in brothel, girl disguising herself as a boy and working in remote town - were familiar to me from other novels. What stood out to me from this book was the character of Daiyu herself especially her resilience and determination, the relationship between her and the ghost of the fictional Daiyu (sounds strange but it works) and the way that impacted her identity, plus the way she used her knowledge of calligraphy to find strength and courage. This is a well-told and well-researched story which highlights some of the xenophobia and racism which impacted the lives of Chinese migrants in the late nineteenth century. It’s definitely a tough read in places- many places- and this is not a story with a happy ending. What’s extra sad is how enduring the anti-Chinese racism has been.
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
heledela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Violence, and Trafficking
laceyc1's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
nataliii's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The author wove together the story of Daiyu and calligraphy (the four treasures). While this book would probably be a good listen, you would miss something by not being able to see the Chinese characters as the author describes their meaning.
This book will break your heart and stay with you after you finish reading it.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
sasisaskia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail