Review by Zee_Zee -- The Vanished by Pejay Bradley

Nzube Chizoba Okeke · Post by **Nzube Chizoba Okeke** » 17 Jan 2021, 10:09

[Following is a volunteer review of "The Vanished" by Pejay Bradley.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Our respective countries' independence came as a result of the sacrifices made by our founding fathers. In The Vanished by Peejay Bradley, the author tells a realistic story of Korea's struggle for freedom from the Japanese government.

Embon, the son of Lady Suogyon and grandson of Prince Aansoon, gains admission into the Hokkaido Imperial University a year before graduating High School. There, he becomes friends with Insoo, Hain, and Yangwoon, who are also Koreans like him. In their frequent debates, they verbally express love for their country and hatred for the Japanese government. They later get arrested for treason and thrown into jail. Embon, however, becomes critically ill and is released before the others. Though he's separated from his friends as he goes home to recover, a new phase begins for each of them, which causes their destinies to become more entwined.

Though I found the story depressing, it was realistic and a tad suspenseful. It was a story of friendship, patriotism, bravery, love, and loss. The characters were relatable, which made their interactions with one another believable. The author was able to make the characters come alive throughout the storyline. I, therefore, found myself enjoying the story even as I dreaded the next gruesome outcome.

Embon and his three friends can be likened to our past heroes, who, despite the odds against them, moved heaven and earth to gain independence for their country. Their story is one that is relatable to anyone familiar with their country's historical facts. I enjoyed the relationship they had with one another till the end.

Furthermore, though the story was fictional, the author correlated historical facts with her story. For instance, the uprising that took place in the book happened in history on that same date. The signing of the Japanese-Korean Annexation Treaty also occurred in the same year as recorded in historical archives. I couldn't help but admire the way she made them all come together. Due to all of these, I couldn't bring myself to dislike anything about the book.

Though I had favorite characters and ones I couldn't stand, they all pointed towards the fact that the author did an excellent job developing them.

There were no errors in the book, so I'd submit that it was professionally edited. All in all, the book made an interesting read. The author was able to paint a vivid picture illustrating the Korean fight for independence. Therefore, I'd rate the book 4 out of 4 stars, which it deserved for being so well written and devoid of errors. I'd readily recommend it to lovers of historical fiction and those who would be interested in a well-told story of the Korean struggle for independence.

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The Vanished
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Demi2300 · Post by **Demi2300** » 12 Mar 2021, 12:35

Very interesting book very well told is the struggles for independence

Nicholus Schroeder · Post by **Nicholus Schroeder** » 13 Mar 2021, 18:26

Thanks for writing a good quality review, you've touched on multiple points in your review that weren't present in other reviews of this book, so keep up the excellent work

Teswin · Post by **Teswin** » 28 Mar 2021, 09:18

The book is very good, interesting to read and helps calm my mind

Zelda Boshoff · Post by **Zelda Boshoff** » 11 Dec 2021, 06:51

It's an interesting review, thank you. Fiction and historical facts combined will be informative. Just love the story, a Korean fight for independence. Thank you for the lovely review.

Maissara · Post by **Maissara** » 25 Jun 2023, 15:36

At its core, "The Vanished" is a story of obsession, as Giardiello becomes completely consumed by the case and the search for the missing family. The film contains a number of twists and turns, and there are some surprising revelations along the way. It's a well-crafted thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it's well worth a watch for fans of suspense.

Maissara · Post by **Maissara** » 09 Jul 2023, 06:09

"Swimming in a Sea of Stars" by Julie Wright is a stunning exploration of the human capacity for love and resilience in the face of adversity. The book follows the story of Stella, a woman who is left disabled following a freak accident and must learn to adapt to life in a wheelchair. As she grapples with her new reality, Stella finds unexpected happiness and purpose in her relationship with Noah, a fellow wheelchair user who helps her overcome her fears and learn to love again. The novel is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, as we see Stella struggle to come to terms with her disability and the many challenges it brings, while also finding the strength to love and to live fully. Along the way, the book raises important questions about the meaning of love, the strength of the human spirit, and the importance of connection in the face of adversity. The writing is powerful and memorable, and the characters are richly drawn and deeply relatable, making this a must-read for anyone who loves a truly inspirational and emotionally resonant story.