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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book Bingo 2025 - BIPOC Historical Fiction
This book was written in a way that was both engaging and informative, and I felt like I learned so much - about foot binding, about Chinese medicine, about the lives and social structures of women and girls in Imperial China. I felt like it was a strong choice for this particular category.
This book was written in a way that was both engaging and informative, and I felt like I learned so much - about foot binding, about Chinese medicine, about the lives and social structures of women and girls in Imperial China. I felt like it was a strong choice for this particular category.
Part l
Immediately fascinated with the story. Pacing seems appropriate. Yunxian and Meiling have such a cute friendship and I really enjoy their sisterhood. But on the real, WHAT is the secret profession Shi does?? Miss Zhou and Grandma Ru giving girlboss vibes. I love them both already. Interested to see if she marries Yang Maoren and how that goes.
Part ll
Miss Chen (Yang’s concubine) and Yunxian BOTH having kids the same time?? I knew immediately that Chen would have a son… Spinster Aunt’s death is so sus, especially considering she said she had something to tell Yunxian the night before she died. Was Yang involved? Poppy was lame for not mailing and telling Lady Kuo (mother in law) about the letter to Meiling and Grandma ru but she redeemed herself by calling them when Yuncian went into labor because she 100% would have died if they didn’t come.
Part lll
So this part definitely made to the bulk of the book. I loved all of her daughters and their relationship with Yunxian. I enjoyed the whole trip to Beijing and the overall character growth in such a small time period. Like Yunxian really said I am standing with women and nobody is going to tell me otherwise. Meiling’s miscarriage was TEA like literally seconds after Empress Zhang gave birth she has a still birth like the timing of that was insane. We also got a lot more depth into Yunxian and Meiling’s friendship here and they were just so cute and wholesome like they really were going through but had each other <3
The way my jaw DROPPED when Meiling told Yunxian she was secretly taking a drink from Doctor Wong that was meant for Yunxian and they figured out that’s why she miscarried.. like he was just so sus.
Fully thought Ailan or at least one of her kids was going to die from smallpox but I’m glad they didn’t.
The whole trial with Doctor Wong was so good like Yunxian’s dad really ate him tf up and had him cornered with facts. As if that wasn’t enough, then learning that Lady Kuo (mother in-law) was low key behind Miss Chen/Doctor Wong’s love affair in the first place ?? Gag.
Part lV
Truly a happy ending. I loved. Yunxian is a girlboss and she’s just so amazing. I love her and Meiling and their entire story.
———
Overall, this book was solid. Definitely 4+ stars. Very unique and I feel like I learned a decent bit about Chinese culture? This book was also a bit more graphic than I thought it might be but certainly not too bad. Tbh I don’t see why I couldn’t give this 5 stars but I def would have given it 5 stars if it would have been a little longer and some more character depth? Very cute book.
Immediately fascinated with the story. Pacing seems appropriate. Yunxian and Meiling have such a cute friendship and I really enjoy their sisterhood. But on the real, WHAT is the secret profession Shi does?? Miss Zhou and Grandma Ru giving girlboss vibes. I love them both already. Interested to see if she marries Yang Maoren and how that goes.
Part ll
Miss Chen (Yang’s concubine) and Yunxian BOTH having kids the same time?? I knew immediately that Chen would have a son… Spinster Aunt’s death is so sus, especially considering she said she had something to tell Yunxian the night before she died. Was Yang involved? Poppy was lame for not mailing and telling Lady Kuo (mother in law) about the letter to Meiling and Grandma ru but she redeemed herself by calling them when Yuncian went into labor because she 100% would have died if they didn’t come.
Part lll
So this part definitely made to the bulk of the book. I loved all of her daughters and their relationship with Yunxian. I enjoyed the whole trip to Beijing and the overall character growth in such a small time period. Like Yunxian really said I am standing with women and nobody is going to tell me otherwise. Meiling’s miscarriage was TEA like literally seconds after Empress Zhang gave birth she has a still birth like the timing of that was insane. We also got a lot more depth into Yunxian and Meiling’s friendship here and they were just so cute and wholesome like they really were going through but had each other <3
The way my jaw DROPPED when Meiling told Yunxian she was secretly taking a drink from Doctor Wong that was meant for Yunxian and they figured out that’s why she miscarried.. like he was just so sus.
Fully thought Ailan or at least one of her kids was going to die from smallpox but I’m glad they didn’t.
The whole trial with Doctor Wong was so good like Yunxian’s dad really ate him tf up and had him cornered with facts. As if that wasn’t enough, then learning that Lady Kuo (mother in-law) was low key behind Miss Chen/Doctor Wong’s love affair in the first place ?? Gag.
Part lV
Truly a happy ending. I loved. Yunxian is a girlboss and she’s just so amazing. I love her and Meiling and their entire story.
———
Overall, this book was solid. Definitely 4+ stars. Very unique and I feel like I learned a decent bit about Chinese culture? This book was also a bit more graphic than I thought it might be but certainly not too bad. Tbh I don’t see why I couldn’t give this 5 stars but I def would have given it 5 stars if it would have been a little longer and some more character depth? Very cute book.
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So far what I have read of Lisa See, her books are unique historical fiction which teaches you about Asian culture and practices you may not know; I loved that this was based on a true person! See's writing is poetic and distinct but lengthy. The narrative takes a backseat frequently to explaining the practices of a physician and midwife, often leading my attention elsewhere.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I read this book in 2 days. There were some themes and scenes that were hard to imagine and even harder to swallow. But this is a read about the resilience of women and the absolute critical role of female friendships, and I plan to buy a copy for my personal library.
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Really good. Learned a whole lot. I feel like I can cure anything with traditional Chinese medicine now. The characters were annoying at times but idk if that’s the fault of the author or the fault of the times.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes