This novel's subject matter deserved the spot light this author gave regarding Filipino politics & the inner struggle of a person tied to two cultures. Jay lives in America, and has since he was 1 year old. However, he was born in the Philippines & as he is finishing his senior year of high school, discovers the untimely death of his cousin who lives another world away, in his birth country. The death and familial reactions jar Jay & he decides to go back to the Philippines over his spring break with the hopes of uncovering the true story of how his cousin died and what his life was like leading up to his death.
I thought that the story started off strong, but the writing tapered off in the middle. A lot of the transitions & answers came too easily to Jay & it didn't feel believable. His luck was a bit uncanny and it made the writing in those chapters feel lazy. However, the author had several moments/chapters where the writing was breathtaking & really captured my heart as a reader. The rooftop with Seth, the nightmare Jay experienced, the karaoke night with his aunts, the memorial, & the final conversation with his dad at the end were all scenes that made this book memorable.
All in all, I enjoyed this book & the content was thought provoking and informative. A solid 4 stars.
I thought that the story started off strong, but the writing tapered off in the middle. A lot of the transitions & answers came too easily to Jay & it didn't feel believable. His luck was a bit uncanny and it made the writing in those chapters feel lazy. However, the author had several moments/chapters where the writing was breathtaking & really captured my heart as a reader. The rooftop with Seth, the nightmare Jay experienced, the karaoke night with his aunts, the memorial, & the final conversation with his dad at the end were all scenes that made this book memorable.
All in all, I enjoyed this book & the content was thought provoking and informative. A solid 4 stars.