• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peeking Between the Pages

Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

  • HOME
  • ARCHIVES
  • PAST READS
  • REVIEW POLICY
  • ABOUT ME
  • CONTACT ME

The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein & Giveaway (US/Canada)

May 15, 2013 by Darlene

gods

The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein is a novel that tells of the 1945 firebombing on Tokyo and takes us on a journey into the lives of those who experienced both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ of this devastating act of war.  While the tale she tells is fictional, the basis for it is not and this story will haunt you long after you turn the final page.

When we first meet Yoshi Kobayashi she is a little girl who still believes that life has only the best to offer.  At a dinner party her parents are at she meets Billy although at her young age she has no idea what an impact he will later have on her life.  When the bombings occur Yoshi’s innocence is forever lost.  Billy wants only to take pictures.  With his first camera he discovered a love of photography that would remain with him throughout his life.  However in the time during WWII young men didn’t have the chance to follow their dreams; they had to go to war instead.  Around them are their parents dealing with marriage, infidelities, and the effects of war.  We also meet Cam and Lacy, a young couple in love but both are deeply affected by the war when Cam leaves to fight in it as a bomber pilot.

The intriguing part of this novel is how all these people’s lives intersect in some way even though it seems unlikely that they should.  I wouldn’t say I so much connected with the characters in this book but I felt for them and in that there was a connection.  The tragedies of war and the lives lost is devastating and the author truly brings this horror to life for the reader.  While I have read of the bombing of Tokyo I’ve never experienced the harsh realities of it quite as much as I did with this novel.  The author takes you through the streets and you can almost smell the charred remains of buildings and see the injured and dying people.

The Gods of Heavenly Punishment is a powerful novel.  While it is a story of war and its effects on people it is also a story of hope and resilience.  This novel was meticulously researched and it shows.  I also really liked the photos she included at the beginning of each chapter that were of real people during the war.  I read Jennifer Cody Epstein’s first novel The Painter of Shanghai years ago and she impressed me then and did once again with The Gods of Heavenly Punishment.  I will once again be anxiously awaiting her next book!

The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein is touring with TLC Book Tours so be sure to check out the other tour stops.  You can find Jennifer on her website as well as liking her Facebook page.  You can pick up your own copy of The Gods of Heavenly Punishment at Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, and IndieBound.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Canada)

I have one copy of The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog.  If you already do let me know and I’ll pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • Tweet, Share on Facebook, or Blog for 3 entries.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on May 29/13.  Good luck!

tlc-logo-resized

Views: 1
Share this post!
Share

Filed Under: 2013 - 100+ Books, 2013 ARC's, 2013 Book Reviews, 2013 eBooks, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda B says

    May 15, 2013 at 5:49 am

    The cover and the title are intriguing and your review sealed the deal. I would love to read this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Google follower

  2. Summer Grinstead says

    May 15, 2013 at 6:50 am

    I follow on email, facebook and GFC. Thanks for the giveaway. sumsum085@aol.com

  3. ellie says

    May 15, 2013 at 7:55 am

    Your wonderful review captivated my interest. Thanks for this great giveaway. I subscribe via e-mail.

  4. Anne says

    May 15, 2013 at 8:15 am

    Powerful was one adjective and that is important in a book. I would enjoy this novel. I am an e-mail subscriber. Thanks.

  5. Judie McDonald says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:09 am

    I would like to read The Gods of Heavenly Punishment.
    I follow your blog via email.

  6. Rhonda says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:15 am

    Thanks for the review would love to read this book.I am an email follower lomazowr@gmail.com.Twitter follower @rhondareads will tweet.

  7. Carol Wong says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Thank you for this giveway, I am very interested in The Gods of Heavenly Punishment. i read Hiroshima twice and would like to read this because it covers before and after this fire bombing. I think that hope and resilence are important in so many situation like surviving cancer. Think this would be a book to treasure.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  8. Carol Wong says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:17 am

    I follow your blog with an e-mail subscription.

  9. Carol Wong says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:20 am

    I tweeted:

    http://t.co/AgkjVUz1t1

  10. Marjorie says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I really love the storyline of this book and would love to win and read it.
    Thanks for the chance to win it.

    cenya2 at Hotmail dot com

  11. Marjorie says

    May 15, 2013 at 10:50 am

    I follow by email and facebook.

    cenya2 at Hotmail dot com

  12. Angela says

    May 15, 2013 at 11:30 am

    Wonderful, powerful review. I’m half Japanese but my mom passed away when I was young, so I’ve recently been studying my Japanese heritage. I know it’s fiction, but it sounds like a well researched and interesting read. I know Jennifer Cody Epstein is an excellent writer and would love to read this novel.

    And I’m a new Feedburner subscriber! 🙂

  13. Diane Castiglione says

    May 15, 2013 at 11:41 am

    First I just love the cover of this book. Thank you for the review. Sounds like and interesting read and one that I would like to read.
    I did tweet and follow you on facebook. I also posted it on my facebook.

  14. blodeuedd says

    May 15, 2013 at 1:14 pm

    I do think it would fit me

  15. Sandra Furlotte says

    May 15, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    I would love to read this book. I follow by email.

  16. Debbie Takami says

    May 15, 2013 at 6:58 pm

    Sounds likethis is perfect for my book group. Follow your reviews by email.

  17. Meghan Stith says

    May 15, 2013 at 11:55 pm

    Wow! I can’t WAIT to read this! I love that cover, too ; )
    I’m definitely adding this to my TBR list immediately!
    I wonder what kind of events or people in the author’s life inspired them to write this book!?
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    mestith at gmail dot com

    I follow via email: mestith at gmail dot com

  18. Margie says

    May 16, 2013 at 7:53 am

    This looks like a fascinating story. Thanks for the giveaway.
    -email subscriber, GFC follower, Facebook fan

  19. jennygirl says

    May 16, 2013 at 11:44 am

    What a powerful and moving story. Thanks Darlene for bringing this to my attention.

  20. Amanda says

    May 16, 2013 at 1:09 pm

    I’d love a chance to win this one. I love the time period and the setting.

    I follow your blog and tweeted @vegasbookgirl

    Cheers!
    Amanda
    libraryofmyown at gmail

  21. KATHLEEN BIANCHI says

    May 16, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    I was greatly affected by reading Hiroshima when I was a child. This sounds like it is well researced and will put a personal touch to this horrid situation.
    I follow with email
    I tweeted.

    The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein & Giveaway (US/Canada)

  22. JJT says

    May 16, 2013 at 8:22 pm

    Sounds like it will be a very emotional but gratifying read. I follow via e-mail.

  23. Lara frame Newell says

    May 20, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    Sounds like a good book. Would love to win a copy.nthanks for the giveaway!

    I follow via GFC as Lara frame

    lafra86 at gmail dot com

  24. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    May 20, 2013 at 6:47 pm

    “Powerful” sounds like the perfect word for this book!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

  25. karen says

    May 20, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    love the cover

  26. karen says

    May 20, 2013 at 7:24 pm

    i follow you

  27. Anna (Diary of an Eccentric) says

    May 28, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    It really was difficult to connect with the characters because I had little in common with them, but they were still interesting and the book overall was very powerful. Glad to see you liked it. No need to enter me.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Me!

 

Enter your email address to get my latest reviews sent to your inbox!

Recently Shared

  • The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley (Audiobook)
  • My Darling Husband by Kimberly Belle (Audiobook)
  • The Younger Wife by Sally Hepworth (Audiobook)
  • Don’t Look Back by Ben Cheetham (Audiobook)
  • The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen (Audiobook)

Archives

Categories

Currently Reading

Orhan's Inheritance
Dear Carolina
The Mapmaker's Children
   

My Reading Pal Sammy

Remembering Buddy

Buddy
• May 25, 2002 - Oct 22, 2010 •
Forever in my heart