Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong

Last Violent Call by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved these two novellas with the reappearance of Roma and Juliette and tying Foul Lady Fortune with the original Chloe Gong books, The Violent Delights & Our Violent Ends! I can't wait to read the next book, Foul Heart Huntsman because the suspense is killing me about this dangerous chemical weapon that Orion's mother created---and how it manipulates people to follow commands, even killing themselves! I love the romance, horror, and sinister evil these characters fight! You will too!

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Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong

Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again Chloe Gong has penned an absorbing part of history---1931 in Shanghai, and interwoven the story of 2 spies of the Nationalists (while also keeping relatives and friends of her first duology in the plot as well) who are tasked with posing as a married couple and to expose who is murdering people with a syringe to the elbow and WHY? But Rosalind and Orion have many secrets that they keep, but as they draw closer to each other and what is really happening, they find so many lies, conspiracies, and mystery upon mystery. I have many questions for the second book- Oliver? Phoebe? Dao Feng? Rosalind? The Hong Family?!? Spies? SuperHuman Chemical? Jiemin? Alisa? Silas?

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The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the narration of Ruthie Ann Miles , Kimiko Glenn , Alexandra Allwine , Gabra Zackman , Jeremy Bobb , Joy Osmanski , Emily Walton , Erin Wilhelmi in this totally absorbing historical fiction taking place in China in a remote Akha village. Life is difficult until one day a man and his son come to their village in search of PUR tea. Li-yan translates for the village elders and her family, she also goes to school for higher education, marries and moves from her mountain village. This was such a compelling story about family, tradition, culture, the modern world, and how strong women in one family share their heritage with angel tea trees. I will not soon forget Li-yan, her mother, and the daughter she gave up for adoption---they were separated but their bonds were strong and lasting.

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Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Saints by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge, and I enjoyed Four Girl (Vibiana) as much as I enjoyed Bao. She was a strong character because she had to be in her family. Four Girl seeks help and strength from Joan of Arc and Dr. Won and his wife and Father Bey as she converts to Christianity. As a Christian, Vibiana cares for children in the orphanage and begins to prepare to fight like Joan in order to fight against those who do not support Christianity. Like Bao in Boxers, will Vibiana survive?

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Boxers by Gene Luen Yang

Boxers by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2014 Hub Challenge and what a great graphic novel exploring the China of 1898 when the peasants were besieged by the foreign missionaries and soldiers. It was wonderful to see Bao's love of life, the gods and their involvement in his daily life and culture. My favorite character had to be Red Lantern; he had an impressive air about him that helped Bao mature and lead The Big Sword Society which later becomes The Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist. But Bao as he succeeds he continues to have doubts and conflicts with his mission. What will his future hold?

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