I was lucky enough to get this book a week before release date, couldn't finish it in time, but thanks again to Bookishfirst and Penguin Random House for sending it to me!
I was super excited to read this book, I love titanic stories, and this one was loosely based on the 8 Chinese men who were actually on the Titanic. So I was excited to learn more about their time and get a glimpse into what it was like for them on this unsinkable ship.
Before I get into the story I wanted to share the map from this book! It is a diagram of the ship! very helpful. I love maps in books and this one was so cool and I didn't expect it too, so even better. There was also a page before this with a list of all the main character, ranked by class and if they're crew.
This story follows Valora Luck, who is a stowaway on the Titanic to follow and reunite with her twin brother Jamie. She wants them to move to America and become acrobats for the Ringling Brother's Circus! Problem is, there's a Chinese Exclusion act in America, and the only way they're getting in is if they have papers. So Valora has to somehow convince her brother to join her, and also get an executive from Ringling to watch them preform. Super easy!...
This story was a joy to read. Super fast and fun, but also informative. I learned even more about how unorganized and dysfunctional the Titanic was, and how this unsinkable ship almost seemed destined to fail.
Stacey Lee did an amazing job recreating the Titanic. I've seen the movie and read about it, and it really did feel like you were in that fancy hall or in that tiny bunk room. Everything was written beautifully. My only out take for the writing would be the acrobatic parts of the book. I loved the idea, but for some reason every time it came up in story it kind of brought me out. Not saying she didn't know what she was writing about, it looked like she did. I wonder if Lee has some experience with acrobats. I for some reason just didn't love that particular story line. Which is sad because it is quite crucial to the story.
My favorite part of the story was all the characters and the family dynamics created. You meet all the other Chinese men that Jamie is traveling with, two of which are just boys! It was so endearing seeing her grow and connect with these other guys. And the two boys, Wink and Olly, I just loved them!
The ending, was incredible. You obviously know what's going to happen, but seeing the ship sinking, the chaos, but also the stupidity it caused. I already knew some of this, but was still shocked at how terrible the crew were to anyone not in 1st class. There were also half full life rafts, they were turning away tons of people, and then there were those in 3rd class who gave up and just stayed behind. It was all so tragic and terrible. Like I said above, this almost felt like a tragedy waiting to happen.
A very impressive and fun read, and with an ending that might actually shock you. I'd suggest this book to anyone.
I was super excited to read this book, I love titanic stories, and this one was loosely based on the 8 Chinese men who were actually on the Titanic. So I was excited to learn more about their time and get a glimpse into what it was like for them on this unsinkable ship.
Before I get into the story I wanted to share the map from this book! It is a diagram of the ship! very helpful. I love maps in books and this one was so cool and I didn't expect it too, so even better. There was also a page before this with a list of all the main character, ranked by class and if they're crew.
This story follows Valora Luck, who is a stowaway on the Titanic to follow and reunite with her twin brother Jamie. She wants them to move to America and become acrobats for the Ringling Brother's Circus! Problem is, there's a Chinese Exclusion act in America, and the only way they're getting in is if they have papers. So Valora has to somehow convince her brother to join her, and also get an executive from Ringling to watch them preform. Super easy!...
This story was a joy to read. Super fast and fun, but also informative. I learned even more about how unorganized and dysfunctional the Titanic was, and how this unsinkable ship almost seemed destined to fail.
Stacey Lee did an amazing job recreating the Titanic. I've seen the movie and read about it, and it really did feel like you were in that fancy hall or in that tiny bunk room. Everything was written beautifully. My only out take for the writing would be the acrobatic parts of the book. I loved the idea, but for some reason every time it came up in story it kind of brought me out. Not saying she didn't know what she was writing about, it looked like she did. I wonder if Lee has some experience with acrobats. I for some reason just didn't love that particular story line. Which is sad because it is quite crucial to the story.
My favorite part of the story was all the characters and the family dynamics created. You meet all the other Chinese men that Jamie is traveling with, two of which are just boys! It was so endearing seeing her grow and connect with these other guys. And the two boys, Wink and Olly, I just loved them!
The ending, was incredible. You obviously know what's going to happen, but seeing the ship sinking, the chaos, but also the stupidity it caused. I already knew some of this, but was still shocked at how terrible the crew were to anyone not in 1st class. There were also half full life rafts, they were turning away tons of people, and then there were those in 3rd class who gave up and just stayed behind. It was all so tragic and terrible. Like I said above, this almost felt like a tragedy waiting to happen.
A very impressive and fun read, and with an ending that might actually shock you. I'd suggest this book to anyone.