I’m starting to realize that I really enjoy speculative fiction and this story absolutely holds true to that feeling. Who among us hasn’t wanted to live in a fictional world before? Oh takes that idea and turns it on its head when the main character finds herself in the story she created—or so she thinks. Not only does Oh bring to life something that so many of us dream about, but she also brings to life the struggle of wanting to be a creative while suffering pushback from a parent, something I think children of immigrants (like myself) can particularly relate to.
While there were some plot points that I found easy to figure out, it felt like these were purposefully placed in order to lull the reader into a false sense of security for the harder to solve surprises to come. I found myself loosening up and starting to feel like I knew what would happen at the end of the story only to be surprised when something comes along that I never would have predicted. The best stories keep you guessing, but I absolutely loved that this one made me think that I had it figured it out sometimes.
And while this story is very contemporary, there was still a bit of world-building that needed to happen and Oh managed that masterfully. Little moments that seem insignificant actually play a bigger part in the overall plot of the story and it's not until it's revealed that the reader is able to put two and two together. Not only was the world-building top notch, but the characters really jumped off the page, feeling like people that I could actually meet and become friends (or enemies!) with. I don't think there was a single character that felt flat in this entire story and there were quite a few characters to bring together. Oh's ability to not only create the world but create the people really stands out.
A coming-of-age story that dives into the intricacies of grief and how we utilize fictional worlds to cope, THE COLLIDING WORLDS OF MINA LEE by Ellen Oh brings to life a beautiful story that I keep thinking about even weeks after I’ve turned the last page. It’s available now and you should definitely head over and grab a copy for yourself here.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review. If you purchase a copy using my Bookshop affiliate link above, not only will I receive a small commission (which will fuel my coffee and tea addiction and help to keep me up all night reading more books to recommend to you), but you will be supporting indie bookstores as well! If you prefer Amazon, visit my Amazon storefront and click on the list titled "2024 Book Recommendations."
