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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
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
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-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
I listened to the audio version of this book and wish I’d read a print copy. Listening, I found it difficult to follow the alternating timeline and multiple POV.
The story was original and engaging - and that says a lot in the somewhat glutted space of WWII historical fiction. More than anything this book can be summed by “it’s complicated.” The characters are wonderfully wrought with complexity - much like real life motivations and actions are in all shades of gray. The last 10% of the book is where it all comes together in a brilliant and heartbreaking crescendo.
If you’re looking to fill in this space with a fresh look at Japan’s occupation of Malaysia, you’ll enjoy this book.
The story was original and engaging - and that says a lot in the somewhat glutted space of WWII historical fiction. More than anything this book can be summed by “it’s complicated.” The characters are wonderfully wrought with complexity - much like real life motivations and actions are in all shades of gray. The last 10% of the book is where it all comes together in a brilliant and heartbreaking crescendo.
If you’re looking to fill in this space with a fresh look at Japan’s occupation of Malaysia, you’ll enjoy this book.
reflective
sad
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
A frustrating read for me because the subject matter was very interesting but the story so clumsily told. A book written from multiple POVs is a double edged sword. Cecily and Jujube’s perspectives felt more well developed than Abel and Jasmin’s, which I often sped through. The writing was trying hard to tell you how to feel instead of just making you feel through the characters and world. A fine ending, but the whole book just left me wanting so much more.
I was not sure going into this book what to expect. But it was a heart-breaking, wonderfully told story about what it was like in WW2 in Malaysia. Highly recommend
emotional
informative
slow-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
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book does a great job exploring the real and devastating impacts of war and the trauma it inflicts on all people involved. I had never read a story in Malaya before and enjoyed learning more about this perspective and experiences. I wished it had explained it a bit more in depth, particularly with the work Cecily was involved with, as it seemed from the synopsis it would be more of a focus. I didn't understand as much as I wanted to, but I do plan to read more about this history later. Really tragic tale that was hard to put down as I became invested in these characters and there was a lot to be gained from reading their experiences.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-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:
Yes