Ahhhhh this is my happy place in the historical fiction genre! I definitely knew a tiny bit of the topic but not tons so I was able to learn a lot of new information with a human story attached. This is not a historical fiction with a big climax where there's a shoot-off or anything. It's pretty consistent pacing focusing on the lives affected by the government stealing children from parents with opposition political beliefs. I loved the characters and in a weird rare event...I liked the time jump!

Okay I really enjoyed this...as a fan of historical fiction novels with some splashes of paranormal. Now I am by no means an expert on the horror genre but I would never consider this to be a horror so I can see why the book pitched as "titanic horror story" isn't getting rave reviews. I like all the switching back and fourth between times and boats. I was still left with questions but I got a good idea of all the characters and why they did what they did. I liked it.

I have no idea what to do with this book...
I have no idea how to explain this book...
But I read it...

Rtc

RTC

RTC

DNF @ page 57

4.5/5

First of all...WHAT?! THERE'S GONNA BE A SEQUEL?!

I really really liked this book. It was one of my most anticipated and didn't disappoint. I can definitely see why it was compared to To All the Boys I've Loved Before and Crazy Rich Asians. It definitely evokes a lot of those vibes.

I liked the conflict, the different rep, the discussions about class, wealth, racism and immigration. It doesn't deep dive into the topics but it's brought up in conversations between characters as they bond. I enjoyed the discussion of parents seeing education as a way to step up in class. I never had that experience myself but I had SO many friends in high school and university who were immigrants themselves or first generation and they HAD to go post secondary for a high income career. No other options.

I can't give this the full 5 stars though for one reason. The attempted redemption of a character who takes and dispurses someone elses nude photos. I just cannot get behind that character being given a sort of out. It's not ever a reasonable response to any situation.

Rep: a variety of Asian representation including Chinese American first generation own voice

Aaaaaaagh I wanted to like this more. I have serious issues getting into Sarah Gailey's characters but I was hoping since this is about librarians and I'm a librarian...but no. I'm sad and disappointed.

I love these types of books so much. It reminded me so much of the structure of The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo while being its own story. I have a weird soft spot for older sort of crabby people who just want you to sit down, shut up and listen to their story. The story she was telling was fascinating and I just kept trying to figure out the 13th story. I was invested from start to finish