Reviews

The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

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kimreadz's review

4.0

I rate this somewhere between 3½ and 4 stars.
While I have 3 books by Janie Chang on my shelf—the covers are beautiful!—I've never read one until now. One reason is that I thought I had a trilogy here and thought I had to read the other books in order. In case you were wondering, you don't. This one is a stand-alone. It got off to a slow start for me, possibly because it is set in a period I have no familiarity with. It took place in China just before WWII, but became in many ways it felt like I was reading about ancient times! I won't repeat the synopis here, but the book is historical fiction with elements of fantasy; stories about Gods and Spirits. While the book started slow for me, about 40% of the way through, it really clicked. I became attached to several of the characters, particularly the servant girl, Sparrow, and finished to book quickly.

I won this book through the Library Thing Early Reviewers program.

aladon66's review

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring sad fast-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? No

5.0

Book Review The Library of Legends by Janie Chang

I loved this book, it was like being wrapped up in a romantic fairy tale with the hero’s fighting a war. This is such a powerful story because it is based on the factual evacuation of China’s universities and middle schools in the late 30’s. Students were relocated (including Chang’s father) to the interior of China to safeguard the intellectual legacy and future of China necessary to rebuild after the war. Some of the students trekked 1000 miles. This would be an amazing story on its own, but Chang’s intertwining the story of the Library of Legends and protecting the stories of the Gods and the Guardians made it that much better. She is able to capture the ancestral belief in the Gods and Guardians and weave it into the story in a seamless way that doesn’t make it feel like fantasy that they are walking among us but that few can still see them any longer.

This is a story of many journeys that are woven together and that impact each other. Obviously, the journey of the staff and students, the burden and honour of protecting the Library of Legends and what is released, the love story of Shao, Sparrow and Lian This is a journey you want to go on. The characters are lovingly developed so that you are invested in the outcome. Even though there are many characters, they all add to the story. I didn’t think there could be a perfect ending but there really was. If you want a story that carries you away and immerses you in its pages then pick this one up. I’m definitely reading her other books!

sarahbelle2's review

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slow-paced

rlgeerrobbins's review

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5.0

As a reader, we sometimes stay on the path of what we know and what we are comfortable with. Nothing wrong with that, but we forget that there is this whole other part of the world that has its own stories, fantasies, and history. This book will welcome you the story of a young girl in China, fleeing with a group of student refugees from the destruction of war. Their goal? To save a 500 year old collection of books known as the Library of Legends!

The road is hard, cold, and filled with the possibility of death at every turn. But even in the middle of war- friendships are built, relationships established, and faith in the old ways is reborn.

The Library of Legends is truly a hidden gem!

kim__gar93's review

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adventurous emotional reflective 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? No

4.5

Content Warnings

canadianbookworm's review

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emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

https://cdnbookworm.blogspot.com/2024/08/the-library-of-legends.html

greygonegirl's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book, it taught me some things Chinese religious culture. I am learning the Spanish language and culture, so it was refreshing to learn something new. I normally don't reach for historical fiction books, but I was pleasantly surprised by the book. Janie Chang's description of the spiritual figures was so detailed that I could vividly picture in my mind. It was amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to learn new things as they read.