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Yet Another Fabulous Read With an Chinese Main Character // Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee (Review and Giveaway!)
5/14/2016
Outrun the Moon
Author: Stacey Lee
Pages: 400
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Release Date: May 24th 2016
San Francisco, 1906: Fifteen-year-old Mercy Wong is determined to break from the poverty in Chinatown, and an education at St. Clare’s School for Girls is her best hope. Although St. Clare’s is off-limits to all but the wealthiest white girls, Mercy gains admittance through a mix of cunning and a little bribery, only to discover that getting in was the easiest part. Not to be undone by a bunch of spoiled heiresses, Mercy stands strong—until disaster strikes. On April 18, an historic earthquake rocks San Francisco, destroying Mercy’s home and school. With martial law in effect, she is forced to wait with her classmates for their families in a temporary park encampment. Mercy can't sit by while they wait for the Army to bring help. Fires might rage, and the city may be in shambles, yet Mercy still has the 'bossy' cheeks that mark her as someone who gets things done. But what can one teenaged girl do to heal so many suffering in her broken city?
Goodreads
I got an ARC of this book from Stacey and her publisher in exchange for an honest review. None of my thoughts have been affected by this.
To find out about Stacey’s new novel was so exciting for me. I had really enjoyed Under a Painted Sky and was definitely ready for more writing from Stacey. When she offered to send me an early copy of Outrun the Moon so I could read and review it, uh duh I said yes! I finally finished it and oh man, I loved it. The characters are so fabulous, I really liked the setting this book took place in (whoo SF!), and I had a fun time reading about Mercy’s adventures. If you enjoy historical fiction novels that dance a little differently compared to other books, definitely pick up Outrun the Moon.
Stacey Lee writes about strong Chinese women and if that isn’t a reason to maybe try her books out, then sit down because I can go on. Mercy was a joy to read from. I loved how she was able to take care of herself, really cared for other people, and let no one come in her way of being able to achieve whatever she put her head to. She is really great at persuading with people and had big dreams that she wants to achieve. She is a strong independent woman and in a time period where strong independent women weren’t very accepted and common amongst a society. I also really love the character development Mercy is able to go through this story. Obviously, she is greatly changed in the story due to the many things that happen to her. Throughout this whole book, she keeps her head high and learns new things. How to deal with certain people, what it is like to lose, and most importantly, she got a taste of what it is like to be herself. What it is like to be able to take charge and lead a group of people without being called names or being ridiculed. If it was anything she deserved, it was that.
The minor characters are such a great addition to this story. Mercy’s family is the best, she makes fabulous friends along the journey of Outrun the Moon, and her best friend is someone I would love to know in real life. They all come from very different backgrounds but I really love the pizzazz they all bring to the book and it just made it a lot more of a fun read.
As for the other aspects of this book, they were equally just was perfect as the characters in this book. The plot was really great to read about and I loved having the book surround the 1906 earthquake. Both of her books are so awesome but, I have to say, I think I enjoyed this book a bit more than Under a Painted Sky. One other thing that I loved about this book was how much I could connect to it. Guys, Stacey’s books are the only books where there is Cantonese, the first language I learned. It’s not as good as it used to be but I can most certainly read the Canto words in my head in it’s correct pronunciation and that is beyond cool for me. The fact that the main character is Chinese is cool enough, the fact that I can say some of the words mentioned in the book in my first language is even more awesome. And the fact that this book took place in San Francisco is even better because the Bay Area is my home, it’s where I grew up. I loved knowing the certain places Stacey mentioned in her book and being able to see them in my head. In general, I connected with this book so much and that definitely let me enjoy it a bit more.
I gave this book 5 stars because I really really really enjoyed and loved it.
Stacey Lee
Stacey Lee is a fourth generation Californian with roots in San Francisco Chinatown. Born in Southern California, she graduated from UCLA then got her law degree at UC Davis King Hall. She has lots of experience with earthquakes, having skinned her knees more times than she wants to remember diving under tables. One day she hopes to own a hypoallergenic horse and live by the sea. See what she's up to on Twitter & Instagram: @staceyleeauthor.
There are three of these!
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