Reviews

Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee

sarahp85's review against another edition

3.0

I don't know, maybe the fact that I finished this but kept forgetting to review says it all.

I liked it, as I'm a sucker for anything Titanic related and this was a whole different story than anything I've read before.

But for some reason I found it quite slow at the start, couldn't really get into it for a while and found the leading lady a bit... annoying

laceydbell's review against another edition

I have not enjoyed Stacey Lee's writing in the past, and that was true for this book as well. I'm really sad to not have made it to the dramatic parts that I'm sure are in the end, but I just couldn't get through this one. DNF @ 38%. But interested in skipping forward to the boat sinking.

erinj254's review against another edition

3.0

Very much just OK. I’m giving it 2.5 and rounding up because maybe I’m just busy or maybe I’m not in the right head space for this one. It took me over a week to read this one which is highly unusual. The ship doesn’t even hit the iceberg until about 300 pages in so it wasn’t the riveting story of survival I was expecting.

asbooktrovert's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

It is such an interesting storyline that brings to light another side of Titanic. Although it follows a girl who has a twin brother. 3rd class but hiding out as a 1st class passenger after sneaking aboard to join her brother. She "grew up" to realize juat how much she could care about others over herself. Not just push others into what she wants. Although with this story line, it brings to light a group of people who were looked down upon once upon a time and tried to have their stories snuffed out... I really enjoyed the fact that this book showed the terrible side of humankind. Not just sunshine and roses. Look more into the history. Don't forget those who were made to feel less. They matter, too. 

annestef1a's review against another edition

3.0

This deserves 4 stars, at least. But I just can't help but think–She should've just whipped out some mustache or something instead of cutting her hair to look like a boy.

It's traditional for a Chinese male to have long hair, tied in a way, even in the early 20th century. Why, Oh, Why! she had to cut her hair?

Spoiler

Maybe, the last boat would've taken them both if they don't doubt her gender...AAARGGHH!!!

Idk, anymore. I just finished the book frustrated and my feelings about the ending may be influencing my rating. Nonetheless, it was a great book and a really fresh perspective pov on the Titanic tragedy.

peachyclaudia's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

3.25

seinen's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I love how Stacy Lee writes, it was easy to read which is something I personally can't find too often at least within my niche of interests. I love the characters, sometimes I personally found the main character a little annoying... but honestly that's because I don't relate to her too much, but that's not to say I didn't love her character as a whole because she was presented in a very interesting way. I love her brother and his friends, I found comedic and honestly emotional relief within these characters... overall they were really impressive to me! 

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a historical fiction book that reads smoothly and has good characters in it.

mscoleman1920's review against another edition

4.0

I'm glad I went to the library on a whim for this one. It was on my list and I am glad I gave it a moment. It is straight up a Chinese version of Titanic but the author played up the racism and fixed the "door problem." Lee had some beautiful personification examples and metaphors which really did add to her narrative. It would work as a summer reading book next year.

This was also great for another way to show perspective through a single character. 1st v 3rd class, white v Chinese, twin v twin. Lots of shifts occur but are minor and within one character. Kind of crazy to see but really illuminating. Worth reviewing for 8th and the early 20th century.

LINES TO REMEMBER:
"Don't spend too much time looking behind you, or you'll miss out on what's ahead." - Valora quoting her mom

"Lady Sky wears rouge when she wants to be noticed." -Valora about the sky

"It's clear we experienced our sameness in very different ways." - Valora and Jaime

"I'm not a leaver. People can leave me, but I'll never leave them when I'm still needed." -Valora

lunar_love_books's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful sad medium-paced

4.0

evamadera1's review against another edition

4.5

This book really surprised me. I expected that it might get campy or play fast and loose with history. However, Lee avoids common pitfalls and creates a compelling story that explores an aspect of history (Chinese Exclusion Act) not frequently discussed. Also, what she did at the end of the story to maintain historical accuracy hid so hard.