Book Spotlight: The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris

 

Looking for a gripping, emotional historical novel? Check out The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris. 

Set in Portland, Oregon, in the year 1888.

"Amid the subterranean labyrinth of the notorious Shanghai Tunnels, where a woman awakens in an underground cell, drugged and disguised. Celia soon realizes she's a "shanghaied" victim on the verge of being shipped off as forced labor, leaving behind those she loves most. Although well accustomed to adapting for survival—being half-Chinese, passing as white during an era fraught with anti-Chinese sentiment—she fears that far more than her own fate lay at stake.

As she pieces together the twisting path that led to her abduction, from serving as a maid for the family of a dubious mayor to becoming entwined in the case of a goldminers' massacre, revelations emerge of a child left in peril. Desperate, Celia must find a way to escape and return to a place where unearthed secrets can prove even more deadly than the dark recesses of Chinatown.

A captivating tale of resilience and hope, The Girls of Good Fortune explores the complexity of family and identity, the importance of stories that echo through generations, and the power of strength found beneath the surface."

"In 1888, Celia Hart wakes up imprisoned in a dank room with only one thought: She must find a way to escape. In an alternate storyline set three years prior, Celia’s past unfolds...As the past catches up to the present timeline, Celia faces significant obstacles as she seeks safety, self-sufficiency and maybe even justice." ― The Washington Post

"Celia's strength of character shines, as she seems to bring out the best in people she has no good reason to trust. McMorris' latest brings fresh focus to real atrocities committed in the burgeoning American West." ― Booklist (Starred Review)

"McMorris deftly weaves a tale about identity, love, and resilience. This poignant story of courage and defiance will please fans of Kristin Hannah and Lisa Wingate." ―Library Journal

"In this page-turning, propulsive read, McMorris shines a light on a forgotten corner of America… A gripping tale of family, identity, and redemption that I simply couldn’t put down. One of McMorris’s best yet." ― Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen

"In this page-turning tale of a young, half-Chinese woman's quest for survival in the late nineteenth-century, anti-Chinese American West, Kristina McMorris delivers a story of resilience and power." ― Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling author of The Personal Librarian

"McMorris is a master in the art of storytelling, weaving a heart-pounding adventure of freedom and survival. With vivid characters and a history long buried now unearthed, The Girls of Good Fortune brings legend to life. A must-read you don’t want to miss." ― Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of The Story She Left Behind

"A captivating blend of intrigue and heart, celebrating the resilience of a woman determined to reclaim her life. Richly layered, this novel reminds us that even in the darkest places, light and love find a way to endure." ― Jean Kwok, New York Times bestselling author of Searching for Sylvie Lee

Recommended for readers who enjoy hidden or untold histories, strong female leads, American history, and immigrant stories. Purchase here.