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bitesizedbeet's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
2.0
While the story is compelling and offers important information about the racism Chinese people experienced, specifically in the Pacific NW, this book is dripping with white saviorism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, Vomit, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
kikicochrane's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As much as I would like to give this book a higher rating, I settled on three stars based on how Inara's story was told. Her character in my opinion lacked depth and the challenges she faced were entirely first world problems as a white woman born into wealth. Now in comparison, Mei Lien's story was heartbreaking, and it provided a glimpse into the struggles Chinese Americans and immigrants faced in the USA which is rarely taught or talked about in our history lessons.
I understand and appreciate the efforts that went into telling Mei Lien's story through Inara, but I felt that her and her siblings played the white savior roles and that her relationship with Daniel & his family played into an unrealistic fairytale.
I understand and appreciate the efforts that went into telling Mei Lien's story through Inara, but I felt that her and her siblings played the white savior roles and that her relationship with Daniel & his family played into an unrealistic fairytale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, and Vomit