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jayisreading's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Torture, Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Death
Moderate: Rape and Violence
Minor: Excrement and Vomit
areen's review against another edition
5.0
I literally have nothing but good things to say about this book. It is so so powerful and the fact that the author wrote it during the pandemic when all the Asian hate crime was rampant makes this even more powerful to me. she really showed us how so little has changed in america.
the writing is phenomenal. so full of depth and meaning. not a single paragraph wasted. and the incorporation of calligraphy and chinese words to tell the story? I can't praise it enough. absolutely obsessed.
when Lin Daiyu said at the end "you will never forget me." yes!!! I think she'll live inside me forever (iykyk 👀). I really need everyone to read it, but please check tws first!
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Xenophobia, Hate crime, Trafficking, Racial slurs, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Body horror, Classism, Sexual violence, Blood, Rape, Sexual assault, and Grief
pdarbs's review against another edition
Graphic: Sexual assault and Murder
awagnergaines's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Murder, and Violence
mlander's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping
rachellen'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? Yes
5.0
Spoilers mentioned.
This was such an incredible story to read and I feel it is very special. Right when I felt the pace was too slow, bam! Another twist, another turn. Daiyu’s destiny was gut wrenching, as I began reaching the last 40 pages I thought ‘there will be a cliffhanger for a second novel or this novel will break me’.
I found it really emotional and difficult to read parts of abuse and racism but understood entirely the importance of it. I felt more educated on Chinese American history after reading it, and really appreciated having learnt something, acknowledging my privilege at having to learn it by reading it rather than living it.
I suppose Daiyu felt her luck never arrived for her, but through the story I saw how many times luck managed to get her to safety, though not as much as I would have liked. It’s a tragedy but one that was inflicted by racists and abusers. It’s simply horrid, and yet her storyline all still feels as she was in control. The minute that she didn’t go back to Boise to meet William, I knew. By calling out her real name, finally owning her name, it was as if she was calling her fate to meet her, not her captives, she didn’t wait. It was really captivating, particularly the line ‘my name is Daiyu[…] You will never forget me’.
I adored the almost ethereal presence of Lin Daiyu, which had me questioning ‘is she real? Is this a sci fi? Am I seeing things too?’ I think at first I thought it was simply Daiyu’s coping mechanism, but I believe it was Lin Daiyu, tied with Daiyu from birth. Now I understand the importance of birth names and their inextricable ties to fate.
Only praise rings from my brain right now.
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Confinement, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Vomit, and Blood
mako_todo's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Racial slurs
yepstillgarbage's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Trafficking
Moderate: Torture and Murder
rachelangelene'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
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Sexual assault, and Death
banpoulami's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A note to read the acknowledgements of this book, if you don’t usually! It adds a layer that is extremely valuable to the experience of the story.
I can’t in good conscience say you will have fun but the writing is worth the pain and heartache. But I was sobbing uncontrollably at the end, so reader, be warned.
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Racial slurs, and Sexual assault