I enjoyed spending time with Eastern Jewel, despite her selfishness and short-sightedness. Lindley presents her as a woman utterly determined to shape her own life rather than be owned by the men around her, and she succeeds in her goal, although at a price.

Another reviewer criticized this version of Eastern Jewel as being "too modern" and perhaps that's true, but I don't know enough about pre WWII China and Japan to have an ear for such things. I only know that I appreciated the fact that the author realized Eastern Jewel was wounded and struggling, even if her heroine would never admit to it. What she lacked in self awareness, she overcompensated for in determination and nerve.

Personally, I would have wished for a bit more depth and detail in the book. Many years are covered in a relatively short space, and I often found myself wishing Lindley had lingered a bit more over events. However, it did make for a quick, pleasant read.