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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
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
augustriver'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: Hate crime, Murder, Death, Racism, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Injury/Injury detail, and Rape
hannahkosel'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
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
superlillative's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As an Asian American, it is sobering to read these accounts as history is meant to learn from, not something that can be cherry picked because someone does not agree or share an opinion.
I know it’s my own personal preference, but I would have enjoyed more historical descriptions of the environment as well, but I understand that this book is meant to focus on the characters.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Hate crime, and Rape
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Kidnapping and Colonisation
martinjen98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Sexism, Racial slurs, Murder, Bullying, Racism, Dysphoria, Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Hate crime, Death, and Child abuse
mollz12'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
I loved this book and yet was so torn to not want to read the ending. It was hard to see someone just be beaten down. It’s a beautiful read and the author really studied what happened to Chinese Immigrants and Slaves back in the 1800’s. What a sad world they lived in and as white people continue to make people of color suffer in.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, and Suicide
shivvers91's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Rape, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping