A review by bookswithmissy
The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book follows a mother and her 3 children in Japanese occupied Malaya during WWII.   The story is told in present day (1940's) by the 3 children and in the past (1930's) from the POV of their mother Cecily. I really liked the way this story was told, each person had such a different heartbreaking, experience with the war. Jujubee was the oldest daughter and worked in tea house serving tea to Japanese soldiers. Abel, the middle child, was kidnapped and forced to work in a Japanese labor camp. And Jasmine was the youngest and her family desperately tried to shield her from the realities of war. Abel's story was the hardest to read out of everyone, he suffered the most at the hands of the Japanese. 

This was an incredible story of an aspect of WWII that I personally have not heard/read much about. I really learned a lot about this time period and I really like books where I can also learn. The writing for this book is phenomenal and I would recommend the audio because the narration was excellent. 

I know that this book will not be for everyone, there are a lot of REALLY difficult scenes and topics discussed. I would check CW before reading, but I highly recommend picking this book up. 

What was the last book you read that was out of your comfort zone?

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