Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
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
challenging
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
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:
Yes
Set during a lesser-known aspect of WWII - the Japanese Occupation of Malaya - Vanessa Chan delivers a beautiful debut novel that explores grief, guilt, suffering, and the family secrets of the Alcantara family. I found the writing excellent (albeit graphic at moments) and the all four character perspectives compelling. I will definitely look out for Chan's next project!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, War
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a historical fiction novel set in Malay (now Malaysia), in the years 1935 and 1945. It tells the story of Cecily who becomes a spy for the Japanese, and falls in love with the general. Several years later, they reunite, but he is now married to Lina. However, they continue their affair.
Children are disappearing and being abused in the war ravaged country. The story comes to a head in 1945, when the British forces come to Malay to liberate the country, however, the casualties of war and betrayal are too great.
The story is absolutely heartbreaking when it tells of Jasmin and Yuki, two 7-year old friends. Jasmin ran away from her mother, Cecily, and the general housed her. She became friends with Yuki, who lived across the street. Their friendship is the most heartwarming, but saddest part of the story. Jasmin ran away because her sister, Jujube, trying to keep Jasmin safe, would lock her away. Their brother Abel went to war and suffered greatly.
Such a stark and poignant tale of the atrocities of what war does to us.
Children are disappearing and being abused in the war ravaged country. The story comes to a head in 1945, when the British forces come to Malay to liberate the country, however, the casualties of war and betrayal are too great.
The story is absolutely heartbreaking when it tells of Jasmin and Yuki, two 7-year old friends. Jasmin ran away from her mother, Cecily, and the general housed her. She became friends with Yuki, who lived across the street. Their friendship is the most heartwarming, but saddest part of the story. Jasmin ran away because her sister, Jujube, trying to keep Jasmin safe, would lock her away. Their brother Abel went to war and suffered greatly.
Such a stark and poignant tale of the atrocities of what war does to us.
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my December BOTM read and first one I’ve done.
I can’t stop talking about this book. Mostly because it was the first historical fiction book I’ve read in a while.
Recounting the past experience of the mother and present pov of the children this story takes you through the lives of Malayans during WW11 and Japanese occupation.
I have never heard a pov like this in my life and truly enjoyed every second of it. I hated the mother but understood why she acted that way yet cared in a hard way toward her family.
4.25/5
I can’t stop talking about this book. Mostly because it was the first historical fiction book I’ve read in a while.
Recounting the past experience of the mother and present pov of the children this story takes you through the lives of Malayans during WW11 and Japanese occupation.
I have never heard a pov like this in my life and truly enjoyed every second of it. I hated the mother but understood why she acted that way yet cared in a hard way toward her family.
4.25/5
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
sad