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kimreadz's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this one up because of the beautiful cover, and because the setting sounded like a vacation! I also thought the family drama, with the secrets to be revealed, sounded riveting. While I did enjoy the book, I have to admit, I found it hard to get involved with the story at the beginning. The story actually takes place over just a few days, shortly after the death of Bohai Leong. His mother, wife, and daughter are preparing for his funeral. As they prepare, memories are triggered for each, and gradually the past is revealed. This is not told in a lineaer fashion, but instead, is more like a conversation you would have at a family gathering, with different events triggering memories that are told by the person remembering.
One thing that made the story a little hard for me to follow was that Amy, the wife of Bohai, and Lin, his mother, in many ways were the same person. Both were girls from very poor families, ignored and mistreated by their fathers, who were ‘forced’ into marriage to a man with money. As they told their stories, I sometimes lost track of who was speaking.
There were times that Amy was not a very likeable person, and times I felt she was making some very bad choices, which made it hard for me to sympathize with her. One character I really did enjoy was Hong, the sister-in-law of Lin Leong. She was a quiet presence in the story, but a source of strength for the family, and especially to Theresa, the daughter of Bohai and Amy. Ultimately I enjoyed the story, but I did feel there were issues left unresolved, particularly regarding Theresa.
This would make a good book club selection as you discuss topics ranging from the historical role of women in China, the role of money and love in relationships, and how choices affect destiny. There is a discussion guide available on the author’s website. If you enjoy family drama with a backdrop of beautiful scenery, pick this one up!
My Rating: ★★★1/2 3-1/2 Stars
This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes and have written an honest review which appears above.
One thing that made the story a little hard for me to follow was that Amy, the wife of Bohai, and Lin, his mother, in many ways were the same person. Both were girls from very poor families, ignored and mistreated by their fathers, who were ‘forced’ into marriage to a man with money. As they told their stories, I sometimes lost track of who was speaking.
There were times that Amy was not a very likeable person, and times I felt she was making some very bad choices, which made it hard for me to sympathize with her. One character I really did enjoy was Hong, the sister-in-law of Lin Leong. She was a quiet presence in the story, but a source of strength for the family, and especially to Theresa, the daughter of Bohai and Amy. Ultimately I enjoyed the story, but I did feel there were issues left unresolved, particularly regarding Theresa.
This would make a good book club selection as you discuss topics ranging from the historical role of women in China, the role of money and love in relationships, and how choices affect destiny. There is a discussion guide available on the author’s website. If you enjoy family drama with a backdrop of beautiful scenery, pick this one up!
My Rating: ★★★1/2 3-1/2 Stars
This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes and have written an honest review which appears above.
valeehill's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ks2_alwaysreading's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting, intriguing, and sad story...almost had me in tears at the end.
booksamongstfriends's review against another edition
3.0
Diamond Head was like watching a bag of popcorn pop in the microwave. Now I know the bag said only 2 1/2 minutes, so I'm waiting and waiting for something to start popping, but I'm almost at the point where I don't even want popcorn anymore. Then all of a sudden…POP! And once one kernel pops, the rest do too.
This book promised secrets, lies, and generational drama that challenged the idea of soulmates and destiny, focusing on the Leong family. Would one follow the heart or follow tradition? Initially, I was worried that the synopsis was going to be better than the book. Halfway through, I was still piecing the characters together, and that could just be me. But the kernels still hadn’t popped yet! Then, once we get a hold of who each character is, we finally become invested in their stories and can start to appreciate some of the
talent that the author has.
While in some ways, it can seem that a lot of the women are very dependent, there are other moments where you can recognize instead this withheld and even silent strength that, as a reader, you can appreciate. Hearing their stories unfold, I began to look forward to seeing how each of our characters' decisions—following love or money—develop into either consequence, regret, or some unfurling of secrets. It leaves any reader wondering: what does love really look like, what does happiness look like, and is love ever really enough?
Now, I usually don’t mind time hopping in books. But at times, it felt a little bit confusing, considering that it looked like we were in the same year, just getting different perspectives, and then going back to the past, then back to the present. One thing that’s undeniable about this book is how descriptive it is. The author does a beautiful job of transporting you into each environment. As someone who’s seen personally the beauty of Hawaii, a lot of these chapters captured so much of the cultural and natural essence of not only the location but the location at that time.
I think it was also genius for the author to balance historical and practical fiction. The events in the book take place around major events in history. Though I know the author said she took her own liberties with some of the locations to make them more personal with her experiences, which could lead to inaccuracies. But this book is not just about the history of the world, but the history and legacy of this family—the history that we leave behind, the legacy that one wants to create, and the sacrifice that it takes to build one.
I don’t see myself reading this book again, but I’m glad I stuck it out. Overall, it had some interesting moments.
This book promised secrets, lies, and generational drama that challenged the idea of soulmates and destiny, focusing on the Leong family. Would one follow the heart or follow tradition? Initially, I was worried that the synopsis was going to be better than the book. Halfway through, I was still piecing the characters together, and that could just be me. But the kernels still hadn’t popped yet! Then, once we get a hold of who each character is, we finally become invested in their stories and can start to appreciate some of the
talent that the author has.
While in some ways, it can seem that a lot of the women are very dependent, there are other moments where you can recognize instead this withheld and even silent strength that, as a reader, you can appreciate. Hearing their stories unfold, I began to look forward to seeing how each of our characters' decisions—following love or money—develop into either consequence, regret, or some unfurling of secrets. It leaves any reader wondering: what does love really look like, what does happiness look like, and is love ever really enough?
Now, I usually don’t mind time hopping in books. But at times, it felt a little bit confusing, considering that it looked like we were in the same year, just getting different perspectives, and then going back to the past, then back to the present. One thing that’s undeniable about this book is how descriptive it is. The author does a beautiful job of transporting you into each environment. As someone who’s seen personally the beauty of Hawaii, a lot of these chapters captured so much of the cultural and natural essence of not only the location but the location at that time.
I think it was also genius for the author to balance historical and practical fiction. The events in the book take place around major events in history. Though I know the author said she took her own liberties with some of the locations to make them more personal with her experiences, which could lead to inaccuracies. But this book is not just about the history of the world, but the history and legacy of this family—the history that we leave behind, the legacy that one wants to create, and the sacrifice that it takes to build one.
I don’t see myself reading this book again, but I’m glad I stuck it out. Overall, it had some interesting moments.
megster212's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kendall_reads8's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to like this book, I really did. It started off so promising but quickly left me confused and constantly shaking my head. I ploughed on hoping it would all straighten out but for me it never did.
I am not one to ever bash a book so read it yourself and decide for yourself.
I am not one to ever bash a book so read it yourself and decide for yourself.
jwinchell's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Desperate for fiction about Hawaii, I picked this up at the independent bookstore in Kona. And I liked it--I liked the island feel of each woman's story. But the family saga aspect, the red thread through eras, the complications of stories and mistakes and wrongs... I wasn't bought in.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Historical fiction mixed with a look at cultures and traditions - it was so good!
Diamond Head is the story of the women of Frank Leong's life - from his wife to his daughter in law to his grandchild and beyond. The current storyline is taking place as they bury Bohai who is a father, son, husband and brother. The women take themselves back in time to tell the stories that brought all of them to this moment. I loved how each woman went back in time to tell her own story and how they interconnected.
Historical fiction mixed with a look at cultures and traditions - it was so good!
Diamond Head is the story of the women of Frank Leong's life - from his wife to his daughter in law to his grandchild and beyond. The current storyline is taking place as they bury Bohai who is a father, son, husband and brother. The women take themselves back in time to tell the stories that brought all of them to this moment. I loved how each woman went back in time to tell her own story and how they interconnected.
ashkitty93's review against another edition
3.0
A really good book about the power of choices and the secrets we keep from the people we love most. The audiobook is read by five amazing women.
readincolour's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this from start to finish. Didn't want to put it down and didn't want it to end.