A review by cakt1991
Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristina McMorris

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 

Of all the books I’ve read from Kristina McMorris thus far, this one is perhaps the one I felt most connected with. Like her, I’m half-Japanese (although not biracial), and I’m always looking to learn more about what Japanese Americans went through during World War II, because while there are some aspects which are public record, others are more obscure. This book is centered around one of them, the fact that there were actually many non-Japanese who voluntarily chose to live in internment with the Japanese people, many of them spouses in mixed-race marriages. Add that to the complex politics around mixed-race marriages at the time, and it makes for an intriguing story. 

The heart of the story is the love story between Lane and Maddie, and their other loved ones, and the sacrifices they’re willing to make in hopes they can all live happily together. My heart hurt for them, as I deeply wanted them to be happy, and while I knew not to expect a genre romance, the ending was still a gut punch (albeit one tinged with hope). 

I also love how the story charts the characters’ growth as individuals. Maddie in particular comes into her own over the course of the war, going from a bright-eyed girl to a strong woman, who’s been through a lot, but becomes stronger for it. And Lane, with his desire to prove himself, also comes of age in his own way…even as his pursuits are more perilous. 

This is a beautiful book, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for romantic historical fiction.