I love books with perspectives that cross timelines, and this one was very well written. I learned a lot while reading it, but at the same time I was completely engrossed in the story. The history brought so much depth to the plot. It contained many powerful messages and introduced characters who felt very real and interacted with one another in ways that really developed their relationships and the plot. One of the most compelling aspects of the main characters was reading about the similarities between them as they struggled to balance what they wanted for themselves against their families' goals for them and the world's expectations, even as they themselves were so young. I'm so glad to have read this book, and I'm awed that this was the author's first novel. I can only imagine that she will continue to write additional important books like this one in the future.