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A review by olivialandryxo
Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I knew a story about the Titanic wouldn’t have a happy ending, but cheese and rice, it was so much sadder than I imagined. It’s been over eight hours since I finished the book and my heart still hurts. ☹️
That aside, this was my first Stacey Lee book and it won’t be my last. Although it was a rather slow, very much character-driven story, I was never bored. It was so easy for me to become attached to the characters. I really liked Valora and admired her determination, and how she refused to let any of the numerous obstacles she faced stop her from doing what she wanted. And, though it took some time to warm up to some of them, I really liked the seamen crew too—Beau, Wink and Ollie in particular. What sweethearts. 🥺
I had actually planned to stop with about two hours left of the audiobook so I could go to sleep, and then finish it in the morning. But to say the story intensified when the Titanic hit the iceberg would be an understatement; I was nervous and I absolutely could not stop. So I was up until four a.m. finishing this, but honestly, I’m not even mad about it.
And speaking of the audiobook, props to the narrator, Rebecca Yeo. She did a brilliant job bringing the story to life. She did different voices for each character, but made it sound authentic and memorable rather than cringey. There were lines describing instrument sounds and a crowd cheering, and there was even a song at one point; she didn’t back down from any of it. It made the experience more entertaining, and she’s quite a good singer too. I’m impressed.
I’ve gotta say something about the ending. In the beginning of the book, it was mentioned that only six of eight Chinese passengers aboard the ship survived, so I knew at least two people would die. I didn’t expect one to be Drummer, and while that was sad, it didn’t effect me much. Sorry not sorry.
I was fully expecting either Jamie or Beau to sacrifice themselves so the others could get on a lifeboat, or something along that line. It would’ve been so painful for Val—hell, even for me—to lose either of them. I never expected Lee to pull the death trope card and have Val sacrifice herself for Jamie. Ouch. And the fact that the epilogue was a letter Jamie was writing to the sweetheart he’d met onboard, with a new narrator, detailing his and his friends’ lives after losing Val? Double ouch. Much sad, very pain.
I’m so glad Charlotte adopted Wink and Ollie, and that all of Jamie’s crew members are going to have relatively good lives. But I’m sad that Jamie lost his last biological family member, and more than anything, I feel bad for Beau. I was hoping that he and Val could try out a relationship, because their casual flirting on the ship was adorable and their kisses nearly ended me. I know this isn’t a romance, I get it, but my hopeless romantic heart was still hoping. And because I like hurting myself, I can’t help but wonder if Beau still has the carved whale figurine Val told him to keep safe… 🥲
I definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a sad historical fiction story, and I definitely want to read more of Lee’s books in the future. Hopefully they aren’t all this painful. :))
Representation
That aside, this was my first Stacey Lee book and it won’t be my last. Although it was a rather slow, very much character-driven story, I was never bored. It was so easy for me to become attached to the characters. I really liked Valora and admired her determination, and how she refused to let any of the numerous obstacles she faced stop her from doing what she wanted. And, though it took some time to warm up to some of them, I really liked the seamen crew too—Beau, Wink and Ollie in particular. What sweethearts. 🥺
I had actually planned to stop with about two hours left of the audiobook so I could go to sleep, and then finish it in the morning. But to say the story intensified when the Titanic hit the iceberg would be an understatement; I was nervous and I absolutely could not stop. So I was up until four a.m. finishing this, but honestly, I’m not even mad about it.
And speaking of the audiobook, props to the narrator, Rebecca Yeo. She did a brilliant job bringing the story to life. She did different voices for each character, but made it sound authentic and memorable rather than cringey. There were lines describing instrument sounds and a crowd cheering, and there was even a song at one point; she didn’t back down from any of it. It made the experience more entertaining, and she’s quite a good singer too. I’m impressed.
I was fully expecting either Jamie or Beau to sacrifice themselves so the others could get on a lifeboat, or something along that line. It would’ve been so painful for Val—hell, even for me—to lose either of them. I never expected Lee to pull the death trope card and have Val sacrifice herself for Jamie. Ouch. And the fact that the epilogue was a letter Jamie was writing to the sweetheart he’d met onboard, with a new narrator, detailing his and his friends’ lives after losing Val? Double ouch. Much sad, very pain.
I’m so glad Charlotte adopted Wink and Ollie, and that all of Jamie’s crew members are going to have relatively good lives. But I’m sad that Jamie lost his last biological family member, and more than anything, I feel bad for Beau. I was hoping that he and Val could try out a relationship, because their casual flirting on the ship was adorable and their kisses nearly ended me. I know this isn’t a romance, I get it, but my hopeless romantic heart was still hoping. And because I like hurting myself, I can’t help but wonder if Beau still has the carved whale figurine Val told him to keep safe… 🥲
I definitely recommend this book if you’re in the mood for a sad historical fiction story, and I definitely want to read more of Lee’s books in the future. Hopefully they aren’t all this painful. :))
Representation
- British-Chinese protagonists
- Chinese side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Death of parent
Obviously, given that the story involves the Titanic, there’s a lot of death in the final third. Parent death and alcoholism occurred prior to the story but are mentioned throughout, particularly the former.