I really enjoyed this. This is the second book I've read from Janie Chang, and I just really like her style. It probably won't be for everyone. This book's narration feels slightly distant, and I think that can make it a little difficult to connect to the characters, but the descriptions and incorporation of Chinese mythology is done so well that I think it mostly works. For people nervous about going into this book for whatever reason, the writing is actually quite lovely. It's not overly flowery or dense. The descriptions are lush and whimsical while not being overly so.

Some people may not want to pick up a book that takes place during a war. This book takes place in the late 1930s during the Sino-Japanese War, and the inciting incident involves Japanese attacks on China, but that takes a backseat to the main action of the story and isn't as big a focus as you might think. It's more about the ideological fight between Chinese people who are spreading the beliefs of communism at that time and others who wish to stifle such beliefs.

There is also a fantastical element to this, as there also was with Dragon Springs Road. I love how the author seamlessly integrates Chinese mythology into her books. It's not over the top. It's done with a lot of care and nuance and just a hint of whimsy, and I love it.

I can see why this might not work for everyone, but it definitely worked for me. The main reason this gets four and not five stars is because for me the ending feels a little rushed and I wanted a bit more closure for the characters, but that is a personal thing. I still would recommend this for anyone who is interested in historical fiction that doesn't take place in the U.S. or Europe or anyone who likes a little magic with their historical fiction.