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ari613's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Incredible! I was enthralled from page one, and would have read this in a day if I didn't have to work. The characters were all compelling and complex, despite how none of them have the space for development that a character who was the sole focus of the whole book would.
The premise of the epigenetic memory/trauma treatment was fantastical, but not just "magic" or "religion," which I thought worked really well. I found it more fun to imagine a cool scientific discovery from the future than just wand waving or magic from the heavens. (Don't get me wrong, I love fantasy, but this poked a different part of my thoughts lol).
I loved the variety of the womens' stories and lives, and the alternating chapters for different characters was extremely well done. The author also did a good job of showing little parallel details (e.g. rainstorms at the end of one character's chapter into one's at the beginning of another character's) that highlighted the connection without feeling like it was assuming the reader was dumb and needed to be told explicitly.
As I was reading, I was amazed at the depth of cultural knowledge, and was curious about the author's background, because either they had done a TON of research or they had chinese heritage/connections. It turns out the author does have some Chinese heritage, and I think that his insights and those little details really added depth and heart to the book that so many simply couldn't.
Enjoyed the resolution. It all kind of sped up at the end, but I think that was intentional to show a character's desperation, and I was overall pleased with the ending. I was left with little questions about some of the characters, but not in a bad way, and not in a way that affected plot at all. I just wanted to get their whole stories because I loved them!
I agree with other reviewers that I wish we'd gotten more of Greta's story. I feel like hers was a little rushed, and definitelythe most heartbreaking.I feel like the Sam literally moving away in a day was unrealistic, and while i know the point was for every character to be traumatized, that one felt forced just a tad.
Side note....Was Yao Han really there as Afong died, or was that not real? Also, was Dorothy actually affecting her ancestors' realities? Like, John did have the picture in Faye's original timeline so??? But also, it didn't change outcomes. I'm thinking maybe she was resolving those core aches but not changing their overall life path?
Maybe I'm dumb lol.
The premise of the epigenetic memory/trauma treatment was fantastical, but not just "magic" or "religion," which I thought worked really well. I found it more fun to imagine a cool scientific discovery from the future than just wand waving or magic from the heavens. (Don't get me wrong, I love fantasy, but this poked a different part of my thoughts lol).
I loved the variety of the womens' stories and lives, and the alternating chapters for different characters was extremely well done. The author also did a good job of showing little parallel details (e.g. rainstorms at the end of one character's chapter into one's at the beginning of another character's) that highlighted the connection without feeling like it was assuming the reader was dumb and needed to be told explicitly.
As I was reading, I was amazed at the depth of cultural knowledge, and was curious about the author's background, because either they had done a TON of research or they had chinese heritage/connections. It turns out the author does have some Chinese heritage, and I think that his insights and those little details really added depth and heart to the book that so many simply couldn't.
Enjoyed the resolution. It all kind of sped up at the end, but I think that was intentional to show a character's desperation, and I was overall pleased with the ending. I was left with little questions about some of the characters, but not in a bad way, and not in a way that affected plot at all. I just wanted to get their whole stories because I loved them!
I agree with other reviewers that I wish we'd gotten more of Greta's story. I feel like hers was a little rushed, and definitelythe most heartbreaking.
Side note....
Maybe I'm dumb lol.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death, Pregnancy, Racism, Death of parent, Mental illness, and Rape
Minor: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
tnau7489's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse
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