Genre Historical fiction 

A little girl, half black and half Japanese, is left at her Grandmother’s mansion in Kyoto by her mother. This event marks the beginning of a challenging and painful journey of acceptance in a hostile environment

I had to give this book a second try. The first time, I wasn’t mentally prepared. I couldn’t get past the first fifty pages because the level of abuse the main character undergoes was too heartbreaking for me. So, I put it away for a while. But recently, while browsing my shelves, the book’s cover art captured my interest again. I felt strong enough to read parts describing physical and mental abuse, and I was ready to give it another try.

I’m glad I read the book, even though some parts horrified me. There were always hopeful passages that kept me going. The main protagonist goes through a journey of self-discovery in a family that sees her as a stain, “a shameful blemish that needs to be hidden in the attic.”

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I appreciated how the author portrayed the protagonist’s development through her various relationships. Although I found some of her family members unlikeable, I could see how their resentment towards her shaped parts of her character. The protagonist’s strength is portrayed well and isn’t used as a stereotype. I was worried it might be overly emphasized in a clichéd way. She experiences a variety of emotions, which makes her character multi-dimensional.

The author’s use of imagery to describe emotions was exceptionally imaginative, with metaphorical language that brought depth and richness to the narration

The storyline was captivating but dragged at times. I was frustrated by the slow pacing towards the last third of the book. However, upon reflection, I realized that Asha Lemmie may have done this intentionally. The protagonist’s accumulating trauma was a bit much to me.

The ending was unexpected as at first it seemed to be heading towards a beautiful resolution, but then it took a different turn. However, I found this change satisfying because it made sense for the protagonist.