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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of
Malaysia, a Malaysian woman makes a fateful decision which changes the course of history and the lives of everyone she knows.
I really enjoyed this book. I tend to love historical fiction that centers fictional characters against the backdrop of world events, and while fictional, 1 always feel like it gives us a glimpse into how this massive world events may have affected real people. This book did not disappoint on this front; in turns towering and intimate, this is a beautiful portrait of shattered promises, family bonds, and the tides of history that hurl themselves at the barriers of safety people try to erect around themselves and their loved ones.
It is a multi-perspective book, and sometimes 1 tound the switches happening too quickly, just as I would settle into whatever storyline 1 was following in a particular chapter. And I felt some storylines converged at the end better than others. But it was still a really great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
sad
slow-paced
This is a beautifully written, painful story, wow. I went into it blind so I didn’t know what to expect, and it took me a little bit to catch on to what was happening. The story is weaved together in such an interesting way, I really liked it. I will say, there is some tough to read content in here, which isn’t really surprising if you know much about this time period, but still it hurt my heart. I am very interested to see what the author does next, she has such a powerful written voice.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
Exquisite writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual violence, War
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a heavy read... lots of triggers warnings needed, but it really is excellent for a debut novel. The characters are well-written, and each of them faces their own personal struggles that come together to make this novel a very emotional read. In fact, this was almost a 5-star rated book for me, but the youngest daughter's character became less believable toward the end.
The audiobook narrator, Samantha Tan, was incredible! I will be looking for more books narrated by her to listen to.
The audiobook narrator, Samantha Tan, was incredible! I will be looking for more books narrated by her to listen to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Vomit, Trafficking, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
WW2 historical fiction is a tired genre full of Western perspectives, so to read a book with a Malaysian viewpoint was refreshing! Unfortunately, it was filled with lackluster characters with flattened narratives full of telling versus showing. It's not bad for a debut, but I just wanted so much more from it and am frustrated because I see the potential! I hope more SEA authors explore this genre and share their stories.
I read this as an audiobook and highly recommend it. The narrator, Samantha Tan, did a fantastic job. If you do pick this up, consider reading it on audio!
I read this as an audiobook and highly recommend it. The narrator, Samantha Tan, did a fantastic job. If you do pick this up, consider reading it on audio!
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
While the writing in this book was fantastic, the characters seemed to lack depth and I found myself getting frustrated with them (except for Abel). In some instances, I even found myself disliking them entirely, and that was not something I want from the main characters of a war novel. However, that goes to show how far people will go to protect themselves when trying to survive, so I guess it proved an interesting point. And it really drove home the whole “consequences of our actions” theme.
It also ended quite abruptly and I was left rather unsatisfied. So 3 stars for Abel and the writing.
It also ended quite abruptly and I was left rather unsatisfied. So 3 stars for Abel and the writing.