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oyabeun's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
macloo's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more from this novel. It was okay. Story okay. Writing okay. The structure is alternating chapters, one focused on a Korean-American family, the next focused on an African-American family (then repeat, repeat), both families in Los Angeles, with one point-of-view character in each of the families. Most of the story is set in 2019. I think the author worked very hard on this book, and the result is sturdy but not soaring. It was a chore for me to finish it, as it was obvious nothing unexpected would ever happen. I'm glad it's done, and I would not recommend it.
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weissaroni13's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great characterization and novelization of the very real traumas felt by families whose loved ones are violently killed and yet the courts don't deliver the justice demanded. Whether you are familiar with the inspiration for the book or not, all of it feels relatable to what we see on the news far too often.
dipyourchicken's review against another edition
3.75
There were a lot of things I liked about this book. I liked how it showed the impact of this kind of racism on both sides. I also liked how it left the possibility of reconciliation and understanding between the families. I was uncomfortable at times with the depiction of Shawn kind of itching to be violent again and being one second away from snapping.
sophiayli's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve never read anything like this book before. It was an accessible page-turner that nonetheless tackled a complex subject in a thoughtful, nuanced way. And I’ve never really seen the relationship between an Asian and a black community depicted—well, anywhere. I didn’t much care for one of the protagonists and thought the ending was a but of a cop-out, but otherwise, a quick, enjoyable, and thought-provoking read. I highly recommend.
tummidge's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I had to have a wry smile to the reference to the Central Park Five within the pages of "Your House Will Pay" as before the hype began building for this novel Cha was known to me primarily through the Twitter fallout following the award of Grand Master/Lifetime achievement (I can't remember which) to Linda Fairstein, who before coming to crime/legal fiction was part of the prosecution team against the five. If it informed one thing about her as a novelist, it is that she wouldn't be pulling her punches.
I went into this one relatively cold as I am wont to do with my reading and I'm really not sure how much to say about the plot. What I can say is that it starts out slowly with Cha building up the principal cast and where they are in their lives before pouncing with the crux of the plot that resonates emotionally throughout the rest of the book.
Cha's strength in character writing shines through as despite the events of the novel she doesn't posit anybody as good or bad and she delves into the grey areas of what has happened asking questions not just of the justice system, but of humanity itself.
I'll look to read her earlier books in anticipation of her future work.
I had to have a wry smile to the reference to the Central Park Five within the pages of "Your House Will Pay" as before the hype began building for this novel Cha was known to me primarily through the Twitter fallout following the award of Grand Master/Lifetime achievement (I can't remember which) to Linda Fairstein, who before coming to crime/legal fiction was part of the prosecution team against the five. If it informed one thing about her as a novelist, it is that she wouldn't be pulling her punches.
I went into this one relatively cold as I am wont to do with my reading and I'm really not sure how much to say about the plot. What I can say is that it starts out slowly with Cha building up the principal cast and where they are in their lives before pouncing with the crux of the plot that resonates emotionally throughout the rest of the book.
Cha's strength in character writing shines through as despite the events of the novel she doesn't posit anybody as good or bad and she delves into the grey areas of what has happened asking questions not just of the justice system, but of humanity itself.
I'll look to read her earlier books in anticipation of her future work.
danebrooks86's review against another edition
4.0
Very well written novel that really brings a new light to racial tension that is really relevant today with the increase in hate crimes to the Asian community due to perceived blame of Covid. It really brings home that for every victim out there regardless of race there is a family and friends that are forever impacted and there life forever altered.
jeremynelson0899's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
allieta's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence