The Lies We Tell by Katie Zhao Trigger warning: Stalking, murder, hate crime, racism, kidnapping. Age rating:14+ Overall rating: 4.75 out of 5 Gernes: Young Adult, Mystery. A spoiler free summary Anna wants to start a new at her local university. She wants to excel academically and create new friendships, all while ignoring her childhood academic rival, Chris Lu. But there is another reason which has brought her here, the unsolved murder of her former babysitter enraptures her in morbid fascination. When the Lu bakery is attacked, Anna links it to the unsolved crime and she can’t help but feel its underlining motives and is forcefully drawn to Chris. After feeling threatened and no longer comfortable in her own school, the two come together to figure out who and what is behind these targeted attacks. Review I quite enjoyed this novel, rather simple in its nature but appreciated that it discussed heavy themes that are incredibly relevant today. The beginning of the novel was more on the slower side and the real mystery began about one third of the way through. The two main characters, Anna and Chris are very likable and were especially relatable to me. I loved seeing the representation in the novel but also with the dark and sad side that comes with living in a country such as America where being Asian is the minority. As the story follows a string of hate crimes, from murder to stalking, it reflects the spike in hate crimes against people of Asian descent during beginning the covid pandemic [and onwards]. Katie incorporated real life situations that everyone has lived through/seen on social media. She shines a light on these issues through a dark novel and reveals the fear some of us may have. It pulls focus to it and for especially people who have never been a minority shows the thinking and inner feelings of the characters, which is unfortunately still very relevant today. Though some may disagree, I appreciated that romance did not play a major role in the story, although the blurb was a little miss leading. The parents of Anna and Chris were not forgotten and are some of the primary characters in this story, it thoroughly explores the stereotypical expectations and the inner rivalry to achieve the best thing possible out of everyone present. The writing is simple and easy to understand yet intriguing, the story is slower paced at the beginning but may still be a good read for those in a reading slump. Depending on the expectations one may have for the novel, the rating may differ on social media, many made it seemed to have academic rivals to lovers which is true but it should not be the sole reason to read this novel as it is not a large component of the novel. Yet again, I was quite excited to read a novel by Katie Zhao and it did not disappoint. I was also able to really appreciate the reference to How We Fall Apart, a small nod to the other novel. The reference to a music group was a fun find in the novel, which speaks to the comfort and energy artists can give someone in hard times no matter the genre. Another personal point to mention, while I was reading this novel, there was almost a parallel universe type thing which might have inspired a short story [if I can get to it]. Quotes “There was someone there with her, and yet, she had never been more alone.” “That was one of the first things I looked from whenever I was a new setting, and seeing that the crowd wasn’t totally white was reassuring.” “I didn’t feel safe being me any longer, and I wondered if I would feel comfortable in my own skin ever again.” Recommendations If you are looking for a medium paced mystery centralised on racism while pursuing higher education this book is for you. It focuses on two main characters navigating a period of time riddled in hate crimes and racism. Although the book starts off as medium paced novel, the last half quickens up and the book will be over before you know it. Pros Explores relevant issues of racism and hate crimes especially spiking during the height of the covid pandemic. The main characters are Asian and discuss some of the family dynamics as well. Cons Wished the novel was longer so we could see more of the character growth. A trigger warning would have been good, especially since it discusses topics that are very relevant today and may be triggering for some. The blurb is a little misleading as it hints towards a more dramatic rivals to lovers trope for the two main characters and this can lead people to have different expectations. Note: I read this back in January but still wanted to post a review since I had been waiting for this book to be released.
Tag: #yamystery
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
Little Thieves by Margaret Owen Trigger warning: Provided by the author! Here’s a condensed down one: abuse, sexual assault, child neglect, trauma, abusive environment. Age rating: 14+ Overall rating: 5 out of 5. Gernes: Fantasy, mystery, retelling. A spoiler free summary Vanja Schmidt is the thirteenth daughter of a thirteenth daughter; from a young age her mother abandons her and leaves her with fortune and death who adopt her. She knows gifts aren’t given freely especially after never receiving love from her mother and godmothers. Vanja trudges her way through life and was a devoted servant to Princess Gisele, well until just a year ago. When Vanja’s demanding godmothers claim a payment because they have taken care of her, she decides to take control of her own life by steal Gisele’s. With help from an enchanted pearl necklace Vanja transforms to look like Gisele, leaving the real princess to be a nobody. Now she lives a double life, one as Princess Gisele and the other as a jewel thief. Vanja charms the nobility and swipes riches from right under their noses to fund her escape, but when she’s one heist away from freedom, she crosses the wrong God who curses her to break out in jewels until she becomes them. Now Vanja races against the clock having just two weeks to fight free of the curse or she will not only lose her freedom but her life too. But Vanja also has an uncontrollable half-god guardian, Gisele’s evil fiancé and a persistently overenthusiastic junior detective on her tail. With all odds against her, Vanja must statically think, or she will lose her life… Review Little thieves is a fantasy retelling of the goose girl. As it was s fantasy it took about a hundred pages to truly immerse myself and understand the world it was set in. There is a lot of German influence and many of the words are German, fortunately the author provides a glossary at the end of the novel but only three quarters of the words are there. The novel is written in one point of view from Vanja, who is a “villain,” while the writing is smooth, easy to understand yet not too simple. I enjoyed the author exploring and displaying Vanja’s complicated past and how trauma still affects her. This aspect of the story makes it to relatable to many people if they have gone through exactly what Vanja has gone through. The trauma responses used in this novel was very realistic and the combination of serious subject matter with a lovable storyline and characters was a harmonious union. The personification of fortune, death, truth and justice were not only unique to the story but made it easy to understand since they were things everyone widely knows about. The characters and storyline had so much depth. Each of the main characters had incredible character development that not only made sense to the character but the over arcing storyline. Throughout the novel there was a perfect amount of predictable plot points and completely unexpected ones, from expected connections to guest appearances and untold history. The chemistry was executed immaculately and the romances in the tale was not the main plot line but added significantly to the overall storyline. There were characters who were introduced so you might dislike them, like Gisele, but then you realise they are just damaged and broken as everyone else. I found all the main/semi main characters extremely likeable by the end of the novel, the few I enjoyed included Ragne, Gisele, Emeric. I enjoyed the lgbtqia+ representation even if it wasn’t the central plotline, they played an important role in the story and in the characters. I thought the author did a delightful job in writing the personalities of the lgbtqia+ without making it their only trait, which is unfortunately done quite often. There may or may not be a queer relationship… Overall, I enjoyed the novel and the way the author ended makes me believe there could be a second book, but if there isn’t it ends fine as a standalone as well. [I really hope there is a sequel though. 😉] Quotes “You’re what happens when an encyclopedia wishes on a star to be a real boy, if that encyclopedia was also an absolute prick.” “Just because you can survive without someone doesn't mean they're unwanted.” “In the world I knew, there were three reasons a person would be wanted: for profit, pleasure, or power. If you could satisfy only one, they used you. Two, they saw you. Three, they served you.” Recommendations A fantasy novel written from the perspective of the “villain” with an incredibly intriguing back story and realistic character development set in a wonderful descriptive world and exciting characters with juxtaposing personalities that go unexpected well. Pros: explores trauma responses quite accurately, combines fantasy and mystery with the perfect selection of characters. Cons: I wished the author had put the author’s note/trigger warning on the left side of the book since I missed it when I first read, it was on the right side.
![My favourite Books of 2021, part seven [last part]. How we fall apart by Katie Zhao.](https://ennamari.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/screenshot_20220120-204740_gallery.jpg?w=825&h=510&crop=1)
My favourite Books of 2021, part seven [last part]. How we fall apart by Katie Zhao.
HOW WE FALL APART BY KATIE ZHAO
How we fall apart is a dark academia novel focusing on Asian American characters and the experiences of these people going through a prestigious high school while their secrets are being exposed and the murder of the queen bee. This novel displays the pressure many immigrant families and children feel as well as the hardship and the reality of always being seen as a perfect student. Not only is this book a murder mystery but it shows the world of many Asian Americans [not limited to] especially students. I loved this novel because of how much I related to the main characters, I have never felt so seen or understand from a piece of incredible writing. From the backhanded complaints rooted in racism to each character on the brink of breaking down, this novel is perfect for anyone who is Asian and wants to relate to any other who wants to learn about the experiences many Asians’ face to maybe even relating to the hard-working students with dark secrets hiding in plain sight hoping to never be caught.
Fortunately, a trigger warning was provided by the author but here’s a condensed down one: mental illness, suicidal thoughts, panic attacks, abuse, self-harm, racism, parental neglect, violence, drug use, an inappropriate teacher and student relationship.
Enna Mari 