You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
I thought this was trauma porn, got to the happy part, abs then it was ruined again.
This book was very circuitous, with no real purpose. A girl is spent living a life full of trauma and loss, and in the end positions herself to be a person that will bring her same losses to others.
I felt very disappointed in this book. Do not recommend.
This book was very circuitous, with no real purpose. A girl is spent living a life full of trauma and loss, and in the end positions herself to be a person that will bring her same losses to others.
I felt very disappointed in this book. Do not recommend.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
I read too many reviews before starting this book and thus went into it convinced I would dislike it. I tried to dislike it but it didn't work. 4.5 stars.
My issues with the novel: I admire that there was no unrealistic perfect ending in this debut novel, but I definitely felt that the lack of closure was astounding. It just ends like...that?! Give us a second book then! I also know my lack of cultural knowledge benefitted me because many reviewers complained about the cultural or linguistic inaccuracies portrayed here.
My issues with the novel: I admire that there was no unrealistic perfect ending in this debut novel, but I definitely felt that the lack of closure was astounding. It just ends like...that?! Give us a second book then! I also know my lack of cultural knowledge benefitted me because many reviewers complained about the cultural or linguistic inaccuracies portrayed here.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
I hate everyone who said this book was good because then I had to read it and now I am deeply upset.
If you're looking for great reads by Black authors and you enjoy historical fiction this one needs to be on your list. It's a coming-of-age story of a biracial (Black and Japanese) girl born out of wedlock into a dynastic family in Japan and everything she endured as a result.
What I loved about this book is first that it is really beautifully written. The uncomfortable parts make you TRULY uncomfortable. I enjoyed the incorporation of the Japanese perspective of WWII and the fact that, because the author is a lover of music, it was woven into the main characters love for and relationship with her brother. The ending broke my heart but I can't even say I disliked it.
This one was definitely a tear jerker and I think one of my favorites of 2022.
What I loved about this book is first that it is really beautifully written. The uncomfortable parts make you TRULY uncomfortable. I enjoyed the incorporation of the Japanese perspective of WWII and the fact that, because the author is a lover of music, it was woven into the main characters love for and relationship with her brother. The ending broke my heart but I can't even say I disliked it.
This one was definitely a tear jerker and I think one of my favorites of 2022.
Lemme was 16 when she started this book and 22 when she finished. I think that explains a lot - she’s still maturing as an author.
Wonderful book until the last chapter. The last chapter was absolute rubbish. So bad that I am writing my first ever review.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Slavery, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War