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.

Content Warnings

k1seulgi's review against another edition

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emotional sad

5.0

swhitaker332002's review against another edition

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4.0

The audio book is amazing, one of the best narrations I’ve ever heard! I also really enjoyed the pacing of this book. It is sad, practically all the way through but not in a despairing way. I generally avoid sad hopeless books but I could handle this one. Again, can’t say enough about the narrator Katharine Chin.

svolos's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

jessd07's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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