Two Tales of the Moon

by Jennifer Sun

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

First Impressions:

The reader is first introduced to a flashback of two of the main characters (Will & Sage) being told an old story regarding the moon. I think this was an excellent and attention-getting way to start the novel.

Impressions While Reading:

The characters were developed well and had an interesting plot, mixing the past with the present blending the two seamlessly together. Although, I did wish there was more of Lu’s childhood in China incorporated into the story, as the tragedy of communist China, while horrible added suspense to the story and held my breath to learn of the torture her grandmother endured and just how Lu escaped.

That being said, I found modern-day China and the ghosts it held to be just as interesting. I will admit I was more invested in Lu’s story than I was of Sage and Will’s but I think that is mainly because I am a bit tech impaired and had nothing to do with the quality of storytelling. I also really like the sexual tension with Will & Lu and kept me read to find out when and how they would get together.

As for Lu’s family, I pretty much wanted to slap each of them. Her mother was a horrible self-centered woman who was clearly bitter and held on to “what could have been”. Her sister, was trapped in a marriage of convenience only to further her mother’s high standard of living, which led to a lonely existence. I was waiting for Mei to stand up for herself but knew that I shouldn’t hold my breath. Her brother-in-law didn’t seem that horrible merely a workaholic and an unfortunate product of the past.

Final Impressions:

I thought the ending was a bit rushed. Revelations are made about Lu’s history which blended into the present and I didn’t feel there was enough time to digest the development before the novel’s end. Overall, the resolutions of Two Tales of the Moon was satisfactory, and liked that things would end happily and therefore an enjoyable read.