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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
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
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
The Storm We Made is a beautifully written, yet heartbreaking historical fiction novel that takes place in the mid 1930s through the end of WWII in Malaya (present day Malaysia). The dual timelines offer a slow unfolding of the way decisions can impact lives for years. The multi-POVs of Cecily, Able, Jujube, and Jasmine provide an inside and unfiltered look into what life was like during both the British and Japanese occupation. Vanessa Chan fully immerses her readers by writing about the devastation of colonization, occupation, and the horrors that come with it. I was left in tears realizing the tragic full circle of our title, The Storm We Made. This book and its characters will stay with me for a long time. Please check TWs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Deportation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
dark
emotional
sad
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 follows a mother and her 3 children in Japanese occupied Malaya during WWII. The story is told in present day (1940's) by the 3 children and in the past (1930's) from the POV of their mother Cecily. I really liked the way this story was told, each person had such a different heartbreaking, experience with the war. Jujubee was the oldest daughter and worked in tea house serving tea to Japanese soldiers. Abel, the middle child, was kidnapped and forced to work in a Japanese labor camp. And Jasmine was the youngest and her family desperately tried to shield her from the realities of war. Abel's story was the hardest to read out of everyone, he suffered the most at the hands of the Japanese.
This was an incredible story of an aspect of WWII that I personally have not heard/read much about. I really learned a lot about this time period and I really like books where I can also learn. The writing for this book is phenomenal and I would recommend the audio because the narration was excellent.
I know that this book will not be for everyone, there are a lot of REALLY difficult scenes and topics discussed. I would check CW before reading, but I highly recommend picking this book up.
What was the last book you read that was out of your comfort zone?
.
This was an incredible story of an aspect of WWII that I personally have not heard/read much about. I really learned a lot about this time period and I really like books where I can also learn. The writing for this book is phenomenal and I would recommend the audio because the narration was excellent.
I know that this book will not be for everyone, there are a lot of REALLY difficult scenes and topics discussed. I would check CW before reading, but I highly recommend picking this book up.
What was the last book you read that was out of your comfort zone?
.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Absolutely tragic account of war, the significant abuse of young children & families, by those in control.
Observing a fictional family, their friends & an exploitating lover, brought their horrific life experiences to life.
Difficult to say you 'enjoyed' such a book, but definitely appreciate how this brings historical experiences to life & helps you to reflect on the current world wars & individuals experiences that are happening today.
The audio book was fantastic. Definitely recommend to others.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me to listen to the audio book & provide this review.
Observing a fictional family, their friends & an exploitating lover, brought their horrific life experiences to life.
Difficult to say you 'enjoyed' such a book, but definitely appreciate how this brings historical experiences to life & helps you to reflect on the current world wars & individuals experiences that are happening today.
The audio book was fantastic. Definitely recommend to others.
Thanks to Netgalley for letting me to listen to the audio book & provide this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Set in Malaya before and during WW2 this book gives a not often told (to a British audience) view of the war. I found the setting very evocative particularly the POW camp scenes with Abel and Freddie.
I would've liked more development and insight into some of the characters and their actions of the children of the family towards the end of the book were a little confusing in places why they did what they did.
Overall a great historical fiction if you want to explore the Japanese and British occupations of Malaya at this time.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would've liked more development and insight into some of the characters and their actions of the children of the family towards the end of the book were a little confusing in places why they did what they did.
Overall a great historical fiction if you want to explore the Japanese and British occupations of Malaya at this time.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Rape, Xenophobia, War
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Torture, Colonisation, War
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced