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A review by whitneymouse
Our Wayward Fate by Gloria Chao
4.0
I had read and really enjoyed [b:American Panda|35297380|American Panda|Gloria Chao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496856585l/35297380._SY75_.jpg|52352662], so I figured I'd give this a try. While it has a few similar themes to American Panda (wanting to date someone your parents don't want you to be with, Asian American identity, etc.), this book felt less...fluffy to me. It tackles issues like systemic racism and is ultimately about identity, period. Who you are as a person and what makes you you.
Our protagonist, Ali, has tried to blend into her suburban Indiana existence by living what she calls a "dry toast" life. She doesn't correct her friends when they mispronounce her name (calling her "Allie" instead), she changes her eating habits after they call her Chinese food "weird", and she puts up with many microaggressions (or sometimes flat out racism) from both students and teachers alike. Until Chase comes along and changes her perspective a bit. Chase immediately chooses not to blend in and to call people out when they're being assholes. He helps Ali learn to be more authentically herself.
I liked both of the protagonists. Ali is very headstrong. She says what she's thinking once she stops trying to hide herself away. She stands up for what's right. She is funny and smart and is better at kung fu than any of the boys she trains with. But she also has flaws, mainly being able to communicate emotions or intention in an effective way, as well as trust issues. Chase is also outspoken and funny, but seems more thoughtful. Less impulsive. He can communicate well, but he has his own baggage he's working through.
There's a secondary plot about the relationships they both have with their parents and how this affects their choices as characters. I thought this was well developed. I didn't feel like the parent aspect needed more or less time. It just took up the right amount of the plot. They also felt like real characters instead of monstrous caricatures because "the main character is a teenager, so they are unable to see the good in their parents" (a trope I'm not a fan of).
The secondary characters were enjoyable and added nicely to the book. I also like how Chao interweaves a traditional Chinese folk tale ("The Butterfly Lovers") into her story and how it relates to Ali and Chase's story.
I would definitely pick this one up. It's heartwarming and smart and a very enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Popsugar reading prompt: A book with a great first line ("My mom believes in magic penises.")
Our protagonist, Ali, has tried to blend into her suburban Indiana existence by living what she calls a "dry toast" life. She doesn't correct her friends when they mispronounce her name (calling her "Allie" instead), she changes her eating habits after they call her Chinese food "weird", and she puts up with many microaggressions (or sometimes flat out racism) from both students and teachers alike. Until Chase comes along and changes her perspective a bit. Chase immediately chooses not to blend in and to call people out when they're being assholes. He helps Ali learn to be more authentically herself.
I liked both of the protagonists. Ali is very headstrong. She says what she's thinking once she stops trying to hide herself away. She stands up for what's right. She is funny and smart and is better at kung fu than any of the boys she trains with. But she also has flaws, mainly being able to communicate emotions or intention in an effective way, as well as trust issues. Chase is also outspoken and funny, but seems more thoughtful. Less impulsive. He can communicate well, but he has his own baggage he's working through.
There's a secondary plot about the relationships they both have with their parents and how this affects their choices as characters. I thought this was well developed. I didn't feel like the parent aspect needed more or less time. It just took up the right amount of the plot. They also felt like real characters instead of monstrous caricatures because "the main character is a teenager, so they are unable to see the good in their parents" (a trope I'm not a fan of).
The secondary characters were enjoyable and added nicely to the book. I also like how Chao interweaves a traditional Chinese folk tale ("The Butterfly Lovers") into her story and how it relates to Ali and Chase's story.
I would definitely pick this one up. It's heartwarming and smart and a very enjoyable read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Popsugar reading prompt: A book with a great first line ("My mom believes in magic penises.")