Grace

This book is a rather heavy read. I really wanted to drop it multiple times in the begging or around 1/3 of the book. Only because of all the wars and danger in the story. However I began to relate it near the end of the book and was really surprised to end up like this long read. In some ways it has given me more insight to what my grandmother must have went through at some point, in others I feel more like Lily and how she was a ABC (American Born Chinese) though she's more of a mix than I am. Having lost my grandma or Popo(Cantonese way of saying grandma on my mother's side) last year I still feels the grief within me awakening and sitting on my heart whenever I reminisce about going to Hong Kong. To be part of a big family or to know about history from where my family has come from has always eluded me. But maybe I am going to heal that scar and wound by listening to more Chinese stories which I have avoided long enough now.

Sad, depression, moving, relatable, and a true journey that doesn't shy away from experiences.

Very brief info. Mostly about stories for other people and their situations. Did not help my psychology class even though this was the required book.

IM only giving this book a 9/10 rating because I listened to the audio version of the book. The narrator's voice combined with this soul touching descriptions of everything(aka world building) has carried my mind into a journey that I could not stop thinking about even if I had tried. The mystery is driving me to read my book copy that I already have but have not read. When I reread this book(after i purchase this gorgeous book covered book) I will be combing through every word to make sense what is going on. Caught on the riptide of the pacing of this book, and what is can only be described as my fault for setting it to 2X the normal speed, I am confused and surprised by the resolutions or the beginnings of the true mystery of this book. I loved every character and even found the motives behind the villains authentic. I am rooting for the main couple and glad they got to be cannon at the end. Will review more later when I truly reread this book.
Intense read and still feeling like I dont know what to do with myself afterwards XD.

A quiet yet powerful book.

My new favorite book or well it's well loved my me.

I am sadden by the fact that I do not like this book. Ariadnne was the first character I fell for this in this series. She is smart, quite, demure, shy, and analytical. YET WHEN Adrianne(god I'm hoping i spell her name right) falls in love with the first volunteer who willingly goes into the maze I am left quickly, I was suddenly out of love. Next came Adrianne's younger sister. Now the younger sister was analytical too, but follows through her actions and her heart. I liked her. Then she fell into madness and i was left with no one else I liked. Liked all greek mythology this book is filled with adventure, action, magic, gods and goddesses, romance, tragedy, and a splash of moral stories. If you are looking for likable characters this book is not for you.

Ive skimmed most of the book to reach the section i was truly interested. This book talks about the warnings of American modern medicine and the harms of it. It didnt really help me but it's a good reminder. Researching for a friends, Ill let her know to research any medication before taking any if she is prescribed a medication

Much better than the first part of this manga. However, it got really confusing and so dramatic at the end that I was almost tempted to quit.

Much better than the first part of this manga. However, it got really confusing and so dramatic at the end that I was almost tempted to quit.

This is a beautiful book. Colored at every page and every new dress had me snapping my fingers exclaiming at the designs. I am sure this book will remain in my heart for a very long time. I recommend this to my friends. I encourage those who just want a fun read, care about fashion, and LGBTQIA+ Alliance to read this book. OH! I also fully support this turn into a media adaptation whether that being a tv series or movie. More likely a movie. I swear I just keep flipping through the pages just wanted to read it again and etch the whole book into my brain. XD

I didn't click with the book in the beginning and I don't think the author intended for that to happen. This is a tragically, awe inspiring, journey that readers are attending. It's about friendship to the end and Ahhh... I am tearing up again. I swear if I watched this in theaters i would not stop crying. The author brings each character to life and surprises nearly even chapter towards the middle of the book to the end. Hang in there is my advice.

I was so surprised when i saw this at my library. This was one of the first manga/anime I have ever seen in my life and its a classic to me. Of course reading it now like some of the female characters say, its outdated, misogynistic, and sexist. But I believe this was written during a time when that was the normal. I will research it later(maybe a month or so later, I got finals right now) and update this when I fully understand the history behind it. I was not surprised by any of the events in the manga for I had watched the tv show repeatedly on many occasions but it was really weird for me to read it out loud in my mind in English for I had the the DVDs in Chinese... Cantonese or Mandarin IDK? It has been too long since I watched it, give or take a decade or two. I still love it and it makes me laugh a lot, but some parts are just so aggravating XD. The place and age at where I am now would have never accepted this manga. SO therefore, I treasure my childhood memories, I will laugh at all the parts I find funny wholly, and continue to root for Princess/Prince Sapphire.

1.5. The climax is what saved the book for me. Everybody deserved a better ending then the easy way out the author wrote about. Will not be rereading this series. Totally regretting reading this book.

Knocked the wind out of me.

I struggled at near 75% of the book to connect with anybody after that. It left me longing for something that could ground me emotionally back to the book. It was a beautiful start and brutal middle. I felt that the main character, Dana, could have been more outraged and tried to run away more often. That being said I know that there aren't much you can do as a slave so I try not to judge her too harshly. I loved the idea that it it was like the book, The Time Traveler's Wife, where it was about time traveling and how gritty and dark time traveling can be. There are more downs than upside to time traveling. On another note i wished that they talked about more about the issues Dana faced during the 20 century which is the time she is born and from. Sorry this is so random and bouncing from idea to idea, I am just frazzled and left sad after this book.

Predicted what was going to happen. But I still enjoyed the book nevertheless.

read it truly in one day. On April 15th 2021. It's an ok book.

3.5. It was an exciting read. Innovated and friendly with LGBTQIA+. Many surprising parts a little cheesy but thats just the way i like it.

It was entirely confusing in the beginning and middle for me. However it still somehow grabbed my attention and made me remember the feeling of excitement and longing so I do recommend this adventurous, Mystery, thriller, and a touch of romance book. Warning there is blood mentioned and some psychological stuff so beware if u aren't into that. I'll like to reread it again someday when I am not too busy and able to enjoy the book go it's fullest.

Dropped the book aka gave up on it.

3.5

3.5 stars.
Idk how to feel about this book. It was more like a family lineage story. You do get to learn about korean and Japan just before world war 2. Many of the characters faced racism. spoiler alert. pachinko isn't a persons name. I kept thinking it was XD. And the cover is beautiful but isn't abstract. It's a pachinko game kinda like a game of chance. Many lose, few win. It's kinda like this book there was many losses and pain and few joys but life goes on.

3.5. Though that ending really got me excited!!!

I'm so glad Gem is with her lover and will live forever and have a lot of kids. The architectural digs are fun as is the adventure in this book however I will be stopping here for this series. They are all quite interesting the first half of the book and I love the endings when things are resolved but during the middle and near the ending I just zone out soooo much so that's it for me.