hannxm's review
5.0
Yet another incredibly emotional yet informative book in the trilogy. Never have I read a book that has made me feel like I could cry because of what the character was going through. I could feel the dilemma she was in near the beginning of the book and I could feel how she was backed into a corner. Every one of these books are an emotional rollercoaster.
Poor Hisashi! I had hoped that he would be able to live a normal life with Suk-bo. The final paragraph made it all come together though, and although I don't believe in the after life, it's lovely to think of them together again, the way they should've spent their life together.
A truly emotional thought provoking read once again and I loved how all three books, the characters and their stories neatly slotted together.
Such great writing skills! I look forward to any future books by this author based around Asian culture and history.
Poor Hisashi! I had hoped that he would be able to live a normal life with Suk-bo. The final paragraph made it all come together though, and although I don't believe in the after life, it's lovely to think of them together again, the way they should've spent their life together.
A truly emotional thought provoking read once again and I loved how all three books, the characters and their stories neatly slotted together.
Such great writing skills! I look forward to any future books by this author based around Asian culture and history.
kmspedden's review against another edition
4.0
Wow so much happens in this book. Honestly I had no idea it was part of a series until I looked up the book online and saw that it was but it’s the perfect standalone. Having Anna and the comb be a connection but take a backseat is the perfect way to weave the story that focused on things that most people don’t know about. WWII is a huge topic for novels but you don’t usually get one from the Far East. It also makes a point to say that no one had heard about Unit 731 and the atrocities they did during the war and that’s true in real life. I had never heard of that and I’m a huge WWII buff. So having this focus so heavily on people that seem to be largely ignored in the historical fiction genre was amazing.
Yes sometimes it got a bit wordy or would ‘blah blah’ through years worth of time but I was still so wrapped up in the story that I couldn’t put it down. I honestly want to read the other two books in the series after reading this one and I’m glad the cover caught my attention and I requested it from NetGalley. It’s a powerful story even if the constant changes between names (which was true for the time that Korean’s were given Japanese names that they had to answer to) was a bit confusing at times. Plus the twist in the end of what truly happened to the man in the Nursing home was fantastic 100% would recommend.
Yes sometimes it got a bit wordy or would ‘blah blah’ through years worth of time but I was still so wrapped up in the story that I couldn’t put it down. I honestly want to read the other two books in the series after reading this one and I’m glad the cover caught my attention and I requested it from NetGalley. It’s a powerful story even if the constant changes between names (which was true for the time that Korean’s were given Japanese names that they had to answer to) was a bit confusing at times. Plus the twist in the end of what truly happened to the man in the Nursing home was fantastic 100% would recommend.
smalljude's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
5.0
Gone With The Kimchi. This book has the depth and emotion of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind, but it is set beginning in 1930s Korea and continuing through the major events of the Korean people from then to now. Never overly graphic, yet conveying the appropriate gravitas regardless, this book highlights so many of the horrors of the Imperial Japanese government during this period - and how being a part of it came to haunt one (fictional) man. Ultimately a story of undying love and an undying belief that we are all truly one people, this is a book that cannot be missed. And if you happen to read Jeremy Robinson's Island 731 before or after, you'll have an even better sense of the true tragedy conveyed in this tale. Very much recommended.
rpmiller's review against another edition
4.0
This book and the entire trilogy are excellent historical novels presented in a fictional story. The stories and characters are consistent and well defined. The issues described are interesting and significant as well and are applicable beyond Korea.
alexys_tenshi's review against another edition
5.0
"The Spirit of the Dragon" by William Andrews is the third book of the trilogy "The Dragon" but it can be read as a standalone.
The story begins with a murder investigation where this korean woman might be the killer. She thell her story: how, as a young girl, Suk-bo Yi became the wife of a japanese named Hisashi, just before WWII. Suk-bo's life wasn't a simple one. She had to escape from Korea, fight against japanese who had occupied her country, lost her family and hope for a better future.
This is a story about war, civil rights, love, power. How a women can make the difference.
I love the plot and the writing style.The reader finds out a lot of "historical traditions" and a little piece of history which is rarely studied in the West (I'm from Italy and I know about Korean and Japan war from my university courses).
Characters are so real! I could relate with them, with their feelings and their fears. Suk-bo is a strong female character, even in the "dark" she can reach the light. Friendships and legacy are an important matter in this book.
I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction and is in love with Asia and it's culture.
The story begins with a murder investigation where this korean woman might be the killer. She thell her story: how, as a young girl, Suk-bo Yi became the wife of a japanese named Hisashi, just before WWII. Suk-bo's life wasn't a simple one. She had to escape from Korea, fight against japanese who had occupied her country, lost her family and hope for a better future.
This is a story about war, civil rights, love, power. How a women can make the difference.
I love the plot and the writing style.The reader finds out a lot of "historical traditions" and a little piece of history which is rarely studied in the West (I'm from Italy and I know about Korean and Japan war from my university courses).
Characters are so real! I could relate with them, with their feelings and their fears. Suk-bo is a strong female character, even in the "dark" she can reach the light. Friendships and legacy are an important matter in this book.
I recommend this to anyone who loves historical fiction and is in love with Asia and it's culture.
rfwads's review
5.0
I can not say enough good things about this book or the series, I absolutely loved them! If you enjoy historical fiction, I HIGHLY recommend this series to you. As an American, I was never taught in history class about the events that happened/took place in and around Korea during the late 1800s to early/mid-1900s. This series was an eye-opener for me. William Andrews does an incredible job tying the books together and shedding light on parts of history that have been buried. The main female characters are very strong. They share their stories and the stories of their ancestors to help make sure that we do not make the mistake of repeating history.
The Spirit of the Dragon is the third book in the Dragon series. A modern-day Romeo and Juliet, The Spirit of the Dragon tells the story of a young couple, a Korean woman and a Japanese man, who are forced to marry. As a young interracial couple, they are thrown into society and we, as the readers, follow their journey through years of war, bigotry, and poverty.
The Spirit of the Dragon is the third book in the Dragon series. A modern-day Romeo and Juliet, The Spirit of the Dragon tells the story of a young couple, a Korean woman and a Japanese man, who are forced to marry. As a young interracial couple, they are thrown into society and we, as the readers, follow their journey through years of war, bigotry, and poverty.
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