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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This book was just not compelling enough for me to finish. I was able to put it down for weeks at a time without thinking about it. The idea of stories being told backwards is interesting as a concept but didn't enhance *this* story - there wasn't a strong enough setup to make me care about the characters or the things that led them to this point.
Thank you to Storygraph and the publisher for receiving this book in a giveaway .
Thank you to Storygraph and the publisher for receiving this book in a giveaway .
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
It’s obvious that Min is a very gifted writer. The reverse timeline was creative and unique, but I’m not convinced it was really effective. The book was so short, and I wanted to get to know more about these characters. I didn’t find myself craving to read this book; but anytime I picked it up, I was surprised to find myself engrossed in each chapter.
emotional
medium-paced
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting premise, but a lackluster execution. We follow the Shang family, starting with present day and working through each family's POV (and even some people who worked closely with the family) back to 2014. I think this was confusing, as we really only get one or two "chapters" (which are just anecdotal POV's one at a time) per character and no one ever really gets fully fleshed out. They all only have one maybe 2 personal conflicts that are introduced but never feel like get fully resolved. They were interesting enough in their own right, but after I finished reading I felt indifferent. Each short story didn't feel interconnected outside of the fact that they were all apart of, or worked for, the Shang family. I don't think it helped us establish their relationships with each other, and frankly I was bored. I really wanted to like this one but just couldn't. Was going to rate it 2 stars, but I like Juli's writing and just wish this was more cohesive and put together. I think putting the story backwards was the biggest detriment and altogether just confusing.
Thank you to NetGalley, Spiegel & Grau, & to Juli Min for the eArc. I would love to read another of Julie's works if she comes out with something in the future, I think this had promise it just missed the mark. I think could've been a really good story.
Thank you to NetGalley, Spiegel & Grau, & to Juli Min for the eArc. I would love to read another of Julie's works if she comes out with something in the future, I think this had promise it just missed the mark. I think could've been a really good story.