You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
A dark, revenge-filled journey through the American West but told through the viewpoint of a Chinese-American. A refreshing angle on an oft-told tale that while engulfing, it comes up short due to most of the characters coming off rather flat. If judged on the purely entertainment value, I think its a 5/5. Unfortunately, the writing itself won't win any awards, and I thought it would be trying to say a little more.
I read this a few years ago. The story totally took over my life. Amazing!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had a hard time caring about the main character. He just wasn't that interesting to me and I would rather have heard more about the prophet and the deaf boy. I also thought there was an overabundance of flowery descriptions that just didn't seem to match the book's flow. It was an odd book.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Me, before reading: "A thousand though? That seems like hyperbole."
Me, a few chapters in: "Yeah ok I'll buy it."
Really enjoyed this gritty Western except that, as the title has already informed you, there is quite a lot of killing. The author has written a main character who is boxed in by his history, his identity, the cultural setting, and the landscape... and has to fight his way out.
Landscape description/ narration is gorgeous. The magical elements - the prophet, the troupe of performers - add a needed respite from all the killing and bleak wandering through dry hostile landscapes. I agree with some other reviewers that the author could have done more with the magical elements. But maybe that wasn't the book he wanted to write. I kind of liked how he kept them part of the background rather than making them the focus. It was subtle.
Me, a few chapters in: "Yeah ok I'll buy it."
Really enjoyed this gritty Western except that, as the title has already informed you, there is quite a lot of killing. The author has written a main character who is boxed in by his history, his identity, the cultural setting, and the landscape... and has to fight his way out.
Landscape description/ narration is gorgeous. The magical elements - the prophet, the troupe of performers - add a needed respite from all the killing and bleak wandering through dry hostile landscapes. I agree with some other reviewers that the author could have done more with the magical elements. But maybe that wasn't the book he wanted to write. I kind of liked how he kept them part of the background rather than making them the focus. It was subtle.
This one starts off REALLY REALLY WELL (like, I was ready to say that I actively loved it), but kind of peters out. Make of that what you will.
I was super excited for this but ended up pretty disappointed. I never really got attached to the characters. I thought there would be more to get me invested in Ming’s quest more about his wife and their life. But it was always more of this half remembered dream for him. I also thought that there would be more look into his role and the reality of him being the son of Chinese immigrants during this time of American history. But it rarely came up and when it did it seemed more like he was rejecting that part of Him self. The fighting was a particular let down a bit uninspired. Boring straightforward, people ended up dead fairly easily. The stakes never felt that high.
The miracle people seemed incredibly random and unclear to meet what greater role they played.
The miracle people seemed incredibly random and unclear to meet what greater role they played.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A Western, magical realist Kill Bill. I really enjoyed this! Ming is an overall likeable main character, even if he's flawed and on this murderous quest for vengeance, and the cast of characters in the traveling magic show are all well developed and challenge and highlight different elements of Ming's character. The story has great pacing and a sparse writing style, which works well to establish the vibe Tom Lin seems to be going for. I do think some of themes Lin aims to explore, like racism during this time period and Ming's relationship to it, are a little underdeveloped, though what we do get of it in the leader of the magic show is really compelling. And though the ending wasn't a surprise by any means, it felt satisfying. All in all, really solid book, especially for a debut.
