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100acrewoodlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Classism
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
Love to see diverse characters represented, strong characterization and the plot flows well even though you know the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.5
I knew a story about the Titanic wouldn’t have a happy ending, but cheese and rice, it was so much sadder than I imagined. It’s been over eight hours since I finished the book and my heart still hurts. ☹️
That aside, this was my first Stacey Lee book and it won’t be my last. Although it was a rather slow, very much character-driven story, I was never bored. It was so easy for me to become attached to the characters. I really liked Valora and admired her determination, and how she refused to let any of the numerous obstacles she faced stop her from doing what she wanted. And, though it took some time to warm up to some of them, I really liked the seamen crew too—Beau, Wink and Ollie in particular. What sweethearts. 🥺
I had actually planned to stop with about two hours left of the audiobook so I could go to sleep, and then finish it in the morning. But to say the story intensified when the Titanic hit the iceberg would be an understatement; I was nervous and I absolutely could not stop. So I was up until four a.m. finishing this, but honestly, I’m not even mad about it.
And speaking of the audiobook, props to the narrator, Rebecca Yeo. She did a brilliant job bringing the story to life. She did different voices for each character, but made it sound authentic and memorable rather than cringey. There were lines describing instrument sounds and a crowd cheering, and there was even a song at one point; she didn’t back down from any of it. It made the experience more entertaining, and she’s quite a good singer too. I’m impressed.
I’ve gotta say something about the ending. In the beginning of the book, it was mentioned that only six of eight Chinese passengers aboard the ship survived, so I knew at least two people would die. I didn’t expect one to be Drummer, and while that was sad, it didn’t effect me much. Sorry not sorry.
I was fully expecting either Jamie or Beau to sacrifice themselves so the others could get on a lifeboat, or something along that line. It would’ve been so painful for Val—hell, even for me—to lose either of them. I never expected Lee to pull the death trope card and have Val sacrifice herself for Jamie. Ouch. And the fact that the epilogue was a letter Jamie was writing to the sweetheart he’d met onboard, with a new narrator, detailing his and his friends’ lives after losing Val? Double ouch. Much sad, very pain.
I’m so glad Charlotte adopted Wink and Ollie, and that all of Jamie’s crew members are going to have relatively good lives. But I’m sad that Jamie lost his last biological family member, and more than anything, I feel bad for Beau. I was hoping that he and Val could try out a relationship, because their casual flirting on the ship was adorable and their kisses nearly ended me. I know this isn’t a romance, I get it, but my hopeless romantic heart was still hoping. And because I like hurting myself, I can’t help but wonder if Beau still has the carved whale figurine Val told him to keep safe… 🥲
I definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a sad historical fiction story, and I definitely want to read more of Lee’s books in the future. Hopefully they aren’t all this painful. :))
Representation
That aside, this was my first Stacey Lee book and it won’t be my last. Although it was a rather slow, very much character-driven story, I was never bored. It was so easy for me to become attached to the characters. I really liked Valora and admired her determination, and how she refused to let any of the numerous obstacles she faced stop her from doing what she wanted. And, though it took some time to warm up to some of them, I really liked the seamen crew too—Beau, Wink and Ollie in particular. What sweethearts. 🥺
I had actually planned to stop with about two hours left of the audiobook so I could go to sleep, and then finish it in the morning. But to say the story intensified when the Titanic hit the iceberg would be an understatement; I was nervous and I absolutely could not stop. So I was up until four a.m. finishing this, but honestly, I’m not even mad about it.
And speaking of the audiobook, props to the narrator, Rebecca Yeo. She did a brilliant job bringing the story to life. She did different voices for each character, but made it sound authentic and memorable rather than cringey. There were lines describing instrument sounds and a crowd cheering, and there was even a song at one point; she didn’t back down from any of it. It made the experience more entertaining, and she’s quite a good singer too. I’m impressed.
I was fully expecting either Jamie or Beau to sacrifice themselves so the others could get on a lifeboat, or something along that line. It would’ve been so painful for Val—hell, even for me—to lose either of them. I never expected Lee to pull the death trope card and have Val sacrifice herself for Jamie. Ouch. And the fact that the epilogue was a letter Jamie was writing to the sweetheart he’d met onboard, with a new narrator, detailing his and his friends’ lives after losing Val? Double ouch. Much sad, very pain.
I’m so glad Charlotte adopted Wink and Ollie, and that all of Jamie’s crew members are going to have relatively good lives. But I’m sad that Jamie lost his last biological family member, and more than anything, I feel bad for Beau. I was hoping that he and Val could try out a relationship, because their casual flirting on the ship was adorable and their kisses nearly ended me. I know this isn’t a romance, I get it, but my hopeless romantic heart was still hoping. And because I like hurting myself, I can’t help but wonder if Beau still has the carved whale figurine Val told him to keep safe… 🥲
I definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a sad historical fiction story, and I definitely want to read more of Lee’s books in the future. Hopefully they aren’t all this painful. :))
Representation
- British-Chinese protagonists
- Chinese side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Death of parent
Obviously, given that the story involves the Titanic, there’s a lot of death in the final third. Parent death and alcoholism occurred prior to the story but are mentioned throughout, particularly the former.elderflower's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
My second Stacey Lee book and it did not disappoint!
Likes:
Likes:
- TITANIC!!!! I love Titanic books but there are so few… :(
- I love Stacey Lee’s metaphors and similes. They always make me pause and think because they’re so fresh and clever.
- Got emotionally attached to the characters
- I just love Stacey Lee’s romances. They’re very innocent and simple, but so sweet 🥰
- Such a gorgeous cover. It makes me even more in love with Valora.
Dislikes:
- I honestly can’t think of any 🤷
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Murder
maimy_ii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
bookcrushin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual assault, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
You can tell that a lot of research went into this, and I appreciated the different perspective this offered on the Titanic. Especially in the context of the author's note at the end, this whole story is facsinating. The characters are great and you're really immersed in this time period. You know how it's going to end, but you kind of hope something else will happen anyway. I feel like that with basically every historical fiction that I read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Grief
clairestream's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
sidbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Wow, did this book emotionally destroy me. I absolutely loved this, especially as a former Titanic history kid™️. The characters were amazing, and I loved the exploration of Jamie and Valora's familial love and relationship with each other and their parents. It was so interesting to read about the so often neglected stories of Chinese passengers on the Titanic and I think Stacey Lee really brought the Titanic to life with this story. Full of heart and emotion, this one will definitely stay with me!
Full review to come on my blog!
Full review to come on my blog!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Confinement, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Alcohol
aargot1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Confinement and Death
Minor: Death of parent