Deciding What to Do?

Lying on the couch trying to unwind from a stressful day at the campus. I thought what to do next, the little morning adventure came to the forefront of my mind. This morning on the way to the campus I took a detour to the dainty bookshop at the corner of the street, looking around I was lost because I didn't have a specific book in my mind, I think Mrs. Bing must have read my expression and recommended me a book assuring me I would like it. Asking her about it she told me the genre was fantasy and the rest is a surprise, giving her a smile I paid for it and told her I will be back with my own opinion about the book. Laughing she told me she would be glad to here that. I think now would be the time to read it and see what I think, grabbing my bag and pulling out the book I made myself comfortable and started reading. The book title is 'Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin'.

So quiet some time as passed and I finally finished the book. Stretching I put the book on a shelf and now I am ready to share my opinion about the book.

The story combines elements of fantasy, Chinese folklore and adventure giving it an enchanted feel. The way the author 'Grace Lin' richly weaves the Chinese folklore into the fantasy genre makes it a delightful and unforgettable read that whisks the reader on an imaginative and magical adventure.

The book follows the protagonist, a young girl named Minli from a poor village who embarks on a magical journey to find the Old Man of the Moon in the Hope's of changing her family's fortune. In her journey she encounters various characters valuable and wise tales of their own. The stories of these characters are seamlessly integrated into the narrative adding a new depth and cultural richness to the story, that not only offers the reader a glimpse into Chinese folklore but also underscore the importance of storytelling as a mean of passing down wisdom and understanding the world.

The masterful way with which the author builds the intricate fantasy world with lyrical prose and vivid descriptions paint a breathtaking rich tapestry of the mystical world filled with mythical creatures, brave heroes, powerful dragons and Minli's home. The long journey of Minli introduces the reader with the importance of perseverance, family, the impact of kindness and compassion, power of dreams & beliefs. These concepts are universal and resonate with readers of all ages, adding depth and emotional resonance to the story. The struggle between determinism and free will becomes a metaphor for the point that the power to shape our destinies lie with us and depend on our actions and choices.

In addition to all this there are some areas that could benefit from constructive criticism. Some readers might find the secondary stories 'the fillers' distracting one from the main plot. The author could have integrated these stories better ensuring their relevance to Minli's journey so the the focus on the central story concept remains strong. Another point that could use improvement was the pacing of the story, when you are halfway through the story starts lagging which may result in the reader's interest to wane. The world building no doubt was very vivid but the author could have left out few details building a room for the reader's imagination to fill in the gaps.

Overall, it is a captivating and thoughtful story and addressing the improvement areas could further elevate the reading experience for a wider range of readers. Have you read this story?