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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall a very enjoyable read. Wish the Korean was written in Hangeul, but I understand why she romanized it as well.
The books feels slow to start, but when it picks up, it becomes hard to put down.
Excited to read more of her books.
The books feels slow to start, but when it picks up, it becomes hard to put down.
Excited to read more of her books.
"When we believe, we hold on to what we think is true. But when we have a conviction, that truth holds on to us."
This book! My first time reading a historical fiction book that isn't about IIWW and I totally enjoyed it. It's a story that dives into the persecution of Catholics in Joseon Korea of 1801 when hundreds of Catholics died on behalf of their faith and many others were tortured and exiled. It was incredible in the end to realize that Lady Kang was a real character in the context that tells the story, she was the female leader of Chosun Catholic and she died beheaded protecting her religion and the whereabouts of the Chinese Priest. In the end, Seol says that she didn't know anything about her, but that she knew that Lady Kang was strong and not a coward, that she would face her destiny until the end.
"Life as a servant should have taught me that the world was cruel and that I did not deserve anything better. Before I'd even learned to walk, I had learned of death."
In many moments I forgot that Seol was only 16 years old. Exiled, taken to the capital and branded with hot iron as a damo, considered lower than a slave, working for the police bureau. Her curiosity took her far, to dark places that many wish to avoid and finding the truth that seemed distant to many. She was an amazing main character. It was incredible to read the confrontation with Officer Kyon when Seol tells him not to blame her for being a woman and him being useless with the bow and arrow, embarrassing him in front of his superiors. That moment! But above all the scenes, there is that of the well. Literal felt Seol's anxiety being there in the dark, with her nose almost cut off and next to the shaman's body, 100 out of 100.
And the last letter from Inspector Han, he knew. And that tore me even more.
Favorite character: Seol.
This book! My first time reading a historical fiction book that isn't about IIWW and I totally enjoyed it. It's a story that dives into the persecution of Catholics in Joseon Korea of 1801 when hundreds of Catholics died on behalf of their faith and many others were tortured and exiled. It was incredible in the end to realize that Lady Kang was a real character in the context that tells the story, she was the female leader of Chosun Catholic and she died beheaded protecting her religion and the whereabouts of the Chinese Priest. In the end, Seol says that she didn't know anything about her, but that she knew that Lady Kang was strong and not a coward, that she would face her destiny until the end.
"Life as a servant should have taught me that the world was cruel and that I did not deserve anything better. Before I'd even learned to walk, I had learned of death."
In many moments I forgot that Seol was only 16 years old. Exiled, taken to the capital and branded with hot iron as a damo, considered lower than a slave, working for the police bureau. Her curiosity took her far, to dark places that many wish to avoid and finding the truth that seemed distant to many. She was an amazing main character. It was incredible to read the confrontation with Officer Kyon when Seol tells him not to blame her for being a woman and him being useless with the bow and arrow, embarrassing him in front of his superiors. That moment! But above all the scenes, there is that of the well. Literal felt Seol's anxiety being there in the dark, with her nose almost cut off and next to the shaman's body, 100 out of 100.
And the last letter from Inspector Han, he knew. And that tore me even more.
Favorite character: Seol.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Good, but it just felt like it moved so slow.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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:
Yes
My feelings on this one are 50/50. There is a lot to like and it's a good murder mystery. But I was never into it and it drags at the end.