Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book as much as I would have liked to. The execution of Gu Shan tears apart most of the family units in this novel. Gu Shan is displayed as a martyr even though she had participated in heinous crimes before her second-thoughts lead to her imprisonment and future execution. This made it difficult to believe that people would risk imprisonment and death to rally behind this girl's "wrongful" death. Yes, she may have been executed to serve a political agenda but she was no saint. She was simply punished for the wrong crimes.
This novel is an excellent portrayal of how our actions have consequences that both directly and indirectly influence all lives around us. However, it has few likable characters and is not for those who enjoy happy endings for none of the characters’ futures look bright.