This is a compelling book. I was very much hooked from start to finish. The beginning of the book discusses the sisters experiences during Japans invasion of China in the early 20th century. There are some extremely harsh scenes which made me a bit queasy at times. But being that it was historical, I found it fascinating. The story is a constant reminder of how strong a person can really be and how much we can handle in our lifetimes and still come out on top.

I only have one complaint about this book. The story covers about 20 years from start to finish. A lot happens in that time, including a lot of tragedy and growth within the characters themselves. At times I felt the story line was a bit rushed. Other than that, I loved this story. I've heard that takes on an even stronger meaning when you go on to read Dreams of Joy, which I plan to do in the near future.