Amazing how one person and one thing can affect many others, and if you are in the right place at the wrong time, that does the trick too. I felt as if I were in wartime America and Japan, and the way it all came together was wonderful. Heart wrenching and well written. ( )

It took a while for this book to get my attention, but as I did not know anything about the WWII fire bombing of Japanese cities I decided to stick with it. I had heard the horror stories about Dresden but had no idea that not had the US Army done the same in Japan but on a considerably larger scale (dozens of cities) with immense loss of civilian lives, but all dwarfed by the nuclear bombs.

And the one scary note that suggests that this fire bombing was not done out of necessity (US needs to end the war) but that it was done to show how important the air force was to the US war effort is rather chilling. ( )

I have not read much historical fiction set during WWII. Not sure if I have shied away due to a lack of interest in the era, or for some other reason. I'm happy to say that Jennifer's book has opened my eyes to the possibility of great historical novels set during the time period.

This book did a great job of making me care about its characters and there lies its strength. Each character is well written and I found myself completely immersed in their stories, almost like I was there.

The historical and technical aspects of the book are well researched and phenomenal. The part of the book following Cam and his experiences in the fighter plane were so vivid and exciting, I found myself holding my breath...waiting to read the outcome. Completely edge of seat!

I really enjoyed Jennifer's writing and will definitely be checking out her previous novel, The Painter from Shanghai. I will also look forward to her future works. If you're looking for a great book set during WWII, I highly recommend The Gods of Heavenly Punishment. ( )

The story is set during the years 1935-1962 and follows characters that are connected to each other.We meet a Czech architect and his son who will be a photographer, a Japanese architect and his wife and daughter, and American pilot who joins the war and leaves his newly married wife in America.

The book shows both sides in the war between US and Japan. I have never read a book about the war from Japanese point of view so that was interesting. We get a clear view how Japan changed from what it was before the war and what happened there.

At first it felt like there was lot of POV’s but it became fascinating to learn how all these people were connected to each other in some time in their lives. I especially enjoyed seeing Cam being a pilot during the bombings and how he felt about what was going to happen.

Often the chapters would jump years ahead but thankfully it was told in the beginning of new chapter that where we were and in what year. While it didn’t confuse me much, that would be my only complaint I have about the book. Sometimes there would be years between I wanted to know what happened during those years to some of the characters.

This was a great and emotional book and I’m so glad I read it. I’m looking forward reading more from this author! ( )

The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein is a historical fiction novel focused around WWII. It is recommended, especially for those who enjoy historical fiction set during WWII that focuses on characters living in Japan.

Although The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein opens in America, most of the focus in on Japan, starting just before to just after WWII with a concluding chapter set in 1962. After introducing us to an American couple, Cam and Lacy, the novel mainly follows the Reynolds and Kobayashi families and their interconnected lives. We originally meet them at a dinner party in Japan. The main character is (supposed to be) Yoshi, daughter of a traditional father, Kenji Kobayashi, and his Westernized wife, Hana. Kenji is a builder who works for Anton Reynolds, who is living in Japan with his wife and their son, Billy. Even the American couple play into the interconnectedness when we realize that a ring Lacy gave to Cam before he flew a mission over Japan ends up in Yoshi's possession.

Based around the 1945 firebombing of Tokyo, this is a fictional account and none of the characters are based on any real historical figures. Epstein includes many period details, including the use of language which some readers may find offensive.

Epstein does an admirable job developing her characters, but, after the opening chapter with Cam and Lacy, whom I liked, I was then introduced to the characters that would compose the bulk of the novel and none of which I really liked or felt any emotional connection to. Some I actively disliked. I liked Yoshi and Billy, whom we first meet as children, but not enough to carry this novel for me. It might have appealed more to me if Epstein had chosen to carefully follow a couple characters through this time in history rather than jumping from person to person and place to place. The ring appearing through the whole novel didn't work as a unifying element for me at all. It felt contrived and predictable.

There are parts of this novel that work very well. It is notably well written and captures period details beautifully (language use aside). But, I'll have to admit that, in the end, The Gods of Heavenly Punishment was just okay for me. From the reviews out there, though, I may be one of the few people who didn't love The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein.

The paperback edition is newly released this January.


Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book from the Norton & Company for review purposes. ( )