miriamberger's review
2.0
I just can't get into this book. I read 131 pages, which I think at that point, you should be sold. You should be thinking about it when you're not reading it, and not wanting to put it down. That wasn't the case for me, unfortunately. The writing is fine but the characters aren't compelling to me and I don't like all the back and forth between 1942 and 1952. I think I gave it a fair shot, though...
rachel_mft's review
4.0
Loved this. So vivid, lush, and gripping. The characters so deep and real, the images of Hong Kong in wartime...I found myself thinking abut this book often throughout the day.
sarah_dietrich's review against another edition
2.0
I loved the Hong Kong setting, didn't enjoy much else about it. I found the characters to be very flat, their emotions & motivations didn't come through very well. I did like the ending & felt that it was quite apt, the only ending that could have really made any sense.
bourbonandabook's review
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
njw13's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mankamon's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
laurenfolkmann's review
3.0
I really liked the beginning but it just fell apart for me at the end. The beginning of the book had a lot of detail and I got into the characters and the story then the end became fragmented and incomplete to me.