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ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
Set in 1931, during the height of the Japanese Imperial invasion and a civil war between the Communist and Nationalist parties, assassin Rosalind Lang is tasked with a new mission to investigate a series of murders in Shanghai. To avoid suspicion, she is asked to pose as the wife of another Nationalist spy and former playboy, Orion Hong, and infiltrate a Japanese company to identify the culprit. With everything on the line, Rosalind must find a way to protect her secrets and demonstrate her loyalty to the Nationalists while finding a way to work with her new partner with an infuriatingly cavalier demeanor.
FORTUNE is the first in a duology that follows the events after Gong’s previous series, THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS. It can be read as a stand-alone series, which I did, but I think reading DELIGHTS might give more context to Rosalind’s background. Regardless, Gong’s fast-paced writing made it easy for me to get into the plot without prior knowledge about the characters.
Even though FORTUNE is labeled as a YA novel, the historical aspect is so intriguing I finished this book in two days! There is also so much tension, not just between Rosalind and Orion, but guessing whose loyalties lie with which faction. There are double agents, triple agents, and secrets within secrets. Gong did such a terrific job with the multiple plot twists that most of my hypotheses turned out to be wrong
FORTUNE is the first in a duology that follows the events after Gong’s previous series, THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS. It can be read as a stand-alone series, which I did, but I think reading DELIGHTS might give more context to Rosalind’s background. Regardless, Gong’s fast-paced writing made it easy for me to get into the plot without prior knowledge about the characters.
Even though FORTUNE is labeled as a YA novel, the historical aspect is so intriguing I finished this book in two days! There is also so much tension, not just between Rosalind and Orion, but guessing whose loyalties lie with which faction. There are double agents, triple agents, and secrets within secrets. Gong did such a terrific job with the multiple plot twists that most of my hypotheses turned out to be wrong
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Set in World War II during the Japanese colonization of Korea, PACHINKO follows four generations of Koreans and their lives from the remote seashore village of Busan to the bustling city of Osaka. With beautiful prose and engaging storytelling, Lee weaves a captivating saga of Sunja and her extended family living through hardships during wartime. PACHINKO explores the discrimination the family faced after moving to Japan in search of a better future, the resilience of Korean women who supported their family when faced with racism and sexism, and the few opportunities Koreans have when watching their country torn apart in half.
PACHINKO is a profoundly moving story where the readers will have different takeaways depending on one's knowledge of modern East Asian history. For those unfamiliar with the rise of imperial Japan in the 20th century, PACHINKO is an excellent source that showcases the dynamics between Japan and Korea. For readers aware of this ugly past, PACHINKO hits so close to home.
Growing up in Taiwan, which was also under Japanese occupation from 1895 to 1945, I learned extensively about the atrocities of Japanese colonization during WW2 in high school. But it wasn't until reading PACHINKO that I realized Sunja's experience is also my family's experience. My grandparents speaking Japanese isn't "a cool thing they do," just like getting their education in Japan wasn't "a fun study-abroad experience." In reading about the sufferings and sacrifices Sunja made for her family, my heart aches for all my grandparents encountered but never spoke about. PACHINKO is one of those books that changed how I view my family history after reading it, and I will never be the same afterward.
PACHINKO is a book I recommend to everyone, especially those curious about the complexities of history and looking to understand the world with more compassion.
PACHINKO is a profoundly moving story where the readers will have different takeaways depending on one's knowledge of modern East Asian history. For those unfamiliar with the rise of imperial Japan in the 20th century, PACHINKO is an excellent source that showcases the dynamics between Japan and Korea. For readers aware of this ugly past, PACHINKO hits so close to home.
Growing up in Taiwan, which was also under Japanese occupation from 1895 to 1945, I learned extensively about the atrocities of Japanese colonization during WW2 in high school. But it wasn't until reading PACHINKO that I realized Sunja's experience is also my family's experience. My grandparents speaking Japanese isn't "a cool thing they do," just like getting their education in Japan wasn't "a fun study-abroad experience." In reading about the sufferings and sacrifices Sunja made for her family, my heart aches for all my grandparents encountered but never spoke about. PACHINKO is one of those books that changed how I view my family history after reading it, and I will never be the same afterward.
PACHINKO is a book I recommend to everyone, especially those curious about the complexities of history and looking to understand the world with more compassion.
Yasmen and Josiah were supposed to be in love forever until tragedy after tragedy tore them apart. Two years after their divorce, Yasmen is finally finding her joy again and getting into a new rhythm with Josiah co-parenting their two children and coowning a business. Yet the ex-couple find themselves drawn back to each other and wondering if their split is the right call. Is the divorce a mistake or an inevitability? How can they believe their love will last the second time around?
LET GO is a raw, emotional, yet beautiful second-chance novel that delivers so much more than just the romance and tension between Yasmen and Josiah. It had me laughing, blushing, and sobbing. Going in, I was apprehensive because second-chance tropes aren't my favorite, but I am pleasantly surprised by and greatly appreciate the emotional depth Ryan put into the book.
LET GO contains many heartbreaking events where readers should check trigger warnings first. That said, Ryan tackles so many vital issues of loss, grief, and mental health that I believe everyone will benefit from this book. Especially on seeking professional help for one's mental health, LET GO does a beautiful job emphasizing the importance of men seeing therapists and showing their vulnerabilities.
Even if you're not a romance reader, I highly recommend LET GO. I was equally intrigued by how the characters process their traumas differently and grow as individuals, as well as the romance between Yasmen and Josiah. LET GO is a fantastic book written with care and empathy that everyone should read.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC.
LET GO is a raw, emotional, yet beautiful second-chance novel that delivers so much more than just the romance and tension between Yasmen and Josiah. It had me laughing, blushing, and sobbing. Going in, I was apprehensive because second-chance tropes aren't my favorite, but I am pleasantly surprised by and greatly appreciate the emotional depth Ryan put into the book.
LET GO contains many heartbreaking events where readers should check trigger warnings first. That said, Ryan tackles so many vital issues of loss, grief, and mental health that I believe everyone will benefit from this book. Especially on seeking professional help for one's mental health, LET GO does a beautiful job emphasizing the importance of men seeing therapists and showing their vulnerabilities.
Even if you're not a romance reader, I highly recommend LET GO. I was equally intrigued by how the characters process their traumas differently and grow as individuals, as well as the romance between Yasmen and Josiah. LET GO is a fantastic book written with care and empathy that everyone should read.
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the eARC.
With his successful career and steady relationship, life is finally going well for Author Less. Until the death of an old lover and a sudden financial crisis sends him on an unforgettable road trip. LESS is a hilarious and lighthearted novel with humorous introspections on love, queerness, family drama, and white privilege. A terrific and joyous read!
