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REVIEW: Intertwined; The Last Jewish Daughter of Kaifeng
3.65/5.0 Stars
Rating if the Book Were a Movie: PG-13 – R
Creative Team
Creators & Storytellers: Fabrice Sapolsky, Fred Pham Chuong, & Ramon Gil
Artist: Verónica R. López
Cover: Fred Pham Chuong
Editor: Heather Antos
Publisher: Fairsquare Graphics
Ratings
Story: 4.0 Stars
Interior Artwork: 3.9 Stars
Cover Artwork: 3.9 Stars
Dialogue: 3.7 Stars
Mechanics: 3.2 Stars
Editing: 3.2 Stars
About the Book:
According to Chinese philosophy there are 5 elements also known as cycles that rule the universe. This book is about the element of water. Several years have passed since the champion of water lost their life assisting the new champion of wood. Now the new champion Leong Yuk-Wong is learning how to use her power as well as deal with the face the previous champion’s spirit inhabits her body.
Reviewer’s Notes:
This starts a few years after the end of the first book. While that fact is not really established, I do like the fact that Loeng as a character has developed more than what she was previously portrayed in the book “Coming to America”. Juan, who is the champion of wood, is there to teach her the ways as it were.
But I do like that there is an established relationship there between them, in “Coming to America” they both seemed to be floundering individually. This furthers the story and shows them as a couple still struggling with their own lives and how to move forward.
But as Leong tries to deal with her present as well as reconcile her past, she unfortunately makes the decision to do it by herself. Which ultimately proves successful in the long run, especially when the rest of the element champions appear and provide aid when she needs it the most.
We all come from different backgrounds in life. Not one person truly knows what anyone else is dealing with, with the exception of spouses when they communicate with each other. That said, I do think that Leong keeping things from Juan was a mistake, as he is there to help her with her abilities and be her support when she needs it.
Story aside this story hits home a little bit as my own spouse deals with a parental loss. But knowing that I am here to support her has proved to mean the world to her. Seeing Leong grow into the hero she was destined to be and that she has the support from Juan shows just how much the writers have thought out how something so simple can be so profound in the long run. Making this story a joy to read with the addition of “Coming to America”.
The cover art of this story is very well done showing the champion standing on an apparent ocean wave. Water in itself is not something that is dangerous, but in large amounts can be a destructive force so powerful that nothing can withstand it. I feel this cover reflects that simple fact in a very powerful way, the fact that there is a dragon’s arm and claw in the background simply adds to that understanding.
The interior artwork is just impeccable in this chapter as it is “Coming to America” while it is a little more refined in this book, I think it matches the story as it reflects the fact that water and the hero of water itself is something that is more elegant and flowing and in that frame a little more refined, adding another layer of depth to the story.
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May the historical documents of the imagination always inspire! Thanks for reading!
