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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
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
fkshg8465'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Torture, Violence, Slavery, Police brutality, Murder, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Grief, and Confinement
lcg527'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? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Rape, Racial slurs, Racism, Death of parent, Violence, Trafficking, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Hate crime, and Excrement
softbun'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
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Sexism, Gun violence, Death, Kidnapping, Rape, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Xenophobia, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Trafficking, and Excrement
Moderate: Abandonment, Cursing, Alcohol, and Torture
Minor: Body shaming, Police brutality, and Pregnancy
lyssmayy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Violence, Death of parent, Blood, Sexual assault, Body horror, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Rape, and Murder
regans's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Racism, Hate crime, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, and Torture
Moderate: Police brutality and Gun violence
Minor: Excrement
heatherjchin's review against another edition
- 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? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Racism, Kidnapping, Rape, Trafficking, Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Cursing, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Slavery, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality, Genocide, Adult/minor relationship, and Child abuse
Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Deportation, and Vomit
dianavdavidson_'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Death, Sexual assault, Racial slurs, Murder, Racism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Kidnapping
tcrivera12's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racism, Torture, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Violence