Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was SO close to getting 5 stars for me. I’d say the first 3/4 would get a 5 stars, the last quarter dropped it to a 4. I really enjoyed the characters and the plot. It was a little difficult to read because this future world is not one that’s out of the realm of possibility for the US. Basically, no one is allowed to discuss anything un-American or look too far into issues that are considered un-American. Asian Americans of all kinds are widely vilified and reviled. Children of “unpatriotic” parents are taken from their homes to be placed elsewhere. I mean, it rings a little familiar, does it not?

I loved Bird, Margaret, Ethan, and Sadie. I wanted to hear more about Domi and about Sadie. As a librarian, I LOVE LOVE LOVED the plot point of librarians acting as underground messengers - how awesome! The loss of a star came from my disappointment in the ending. I was hoping for more closure, and while the ending was satisfying and interesting, it was a lot of build-up for something that I don’t feel like completely paid off. But I loved the writing and the characters were beautifully done.

I pray to go this book is fiction and not a precursor. The book takes place in a dystopia America where Asian people are targeted for imprisonment. It's brutal subject matter, but Celeste Ng writes about it wonderfully. It is one of those books that makes you appreciate again and again how precious our freedom is and how vulnerable we are to lose it in moments of crisis. a sobering but tremendous book.

I received a free egalley of the book in return for this honest review.