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A review by coneja_divina
Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao
4.0
Closer to 3.5, but rounded up to a 4.
I’m always drawn to stories where the protagonist is the child of immigrants and feels like she doesn’t fully belong to her parents’ culture or her country of origin’s culture. I personally find it relatable. Ali’s navigation between American and Chinese culture while trying to accept her own identity is compelling.
This story is a retelling of The Butterfly Lovers, but it features an HEA that isn’t bittersweet. I appreciated that the legend was blended into the story, and I especially appreciated that it was hinted that the lovers were ancestors of Ali. The only real issue is that the transition between the three separate settings, Past China, Present China and Present Indiana, can get a little clunky, and the pacing is a little rough.
Overall an enjoyable book and worth checking out.
I’m always drawn to stories where the protagonist is the child of immigrants and feels like she doesn’t fully belong to her parents’ culture or her country of origin’s culture. I personally find it relatable. Ali’s navigation between American and Chinese culture while trying to accept her own identity is compelling.
This story is a retelling of The Butterfly Lovers, but it features an HEA that isn’t bittersweet. I appreciated that the legend was blended into the story, and I especially appreciated that it was hinted that the lovers were ancestors of Ali. The only real issue is that the transition between the three separate settings, Past China, Present China and Present Indiana, can get a little clunky, and the pacing is a little rough.
Overall an enjoyable book and worth checking out.