Ok book. Was slow in some areas. Just an ok read to me. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner has no bearing on this reveiw.

This novel is touching following this girl’s journey to find her true self. There are many mixed race people and they aren’t sure where or how they can fit in, from what they say. I have no experience so I can’t judge. Anyway this girl’s journey is very touching. Always straddling the fence and not wanting to pick one side over the other, being put into a box set by other people. So her going out and finding herself was her only option. So touching.

I felt Mixed Blessing was a mixed blessing after completed reading it. I was blessed for the author's contribution and take on issues around race, mixed couples, and nationalism. I enjoyed reading the stories and being engaged in the character development; however, unless this work is meant to be part of a series, there was a lot of stories going on in the book that were not given the needed attention for a sense of completion in my opinion. However, it was very successful at touching a cord in the minds of many around racism, race, and mixed raced babies.

This is a provocative book that gives an interesting and frighteningly relevant look at a topic so a part of our current reality through the lens of what if. I look forward to sharing this title with friends as it will lead to provocative discussions about the issues we are currently grappling with socially.

I rarely don’t finish a book even if I’m not enjoying it but Mixed Blessings was one of the rare exceptions to the rule. I read about 20per cent of it and gave up. The writing is very ‘Peter and Jane’ and the plot jumps around with no indication of where it is going or if the different story lines are actually going to connect in any way. Dire is the word I’d use to describe it - I’m surprised it got passed the first editor, let alone published.

This book needs a huge edit. Malapropism, grammatical errors, poor sentence construction completely distracted me from discerning the plot and message. I gave up.

Prepare yourself for a powerful read about two different people and the struggles they face. Kim is the illegitimate daughter of a Mexican man and her Jewish mother. Both sides steeped in rich culture and identity. Then there is Kublai Khan, who faces the abject discrimination that faces everyone who isn’t white. If you are wanting a great read, with numerous twists, and surprise endings, then give this book a read. You will enjoy.

I tried, but this was awful. Everything. The writing, story. Where the hell was an editor? Crikey, this was awful.

This is a very good book that poses the question what if MLK or Malcolm X never existed. What would it be like for people in such a world. Suggesting this book for purchase.

I wanted to like this book. I find the premise interesting but some of the mechanics and structure of the novel made it difficult to follow of find a rhythmic flow. I will note I only read 100 pages in before I had to put the book down. Sadly the structure issues were too distracting for me.

Title: Mixed Blessings
Author: J. M. Muse
Publisher: BookBaby; 1 edition
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Mixed Blessings" by J. M. Muse

My Rationalization:

What an interesting well-written story that gives the reader a little bit of 'religion, riots, forced marriage, murder, politics, government, pop culture, racism, and human relationships. ' I found this story had some very intriguing as well as complex characters [Kimberly Solbery, Michael Kublai Khan, Ahmed, Chaka, Star, Chaka, & Dalton] to name a few that will keep your attention as you turn the pages to see how each one will bring in there unique point-of-view interest to this story as all will entwined together bringing this story to life from every possible angle. My favorite character was Michael Kublai Khan in his take on 'offering an interesting take on the perspective of good versus evil as he seems to be able to deal is way in political power.'

Be ready for quite an intense, detailed as well as captivating story that will have plenty of 'conflict, love and yes even violence' all the way to the end. This read brought in lots of information about the mixed races in which all they had to go through in order to feel that they belonged in this world. Be ready to go to: 'battle lines, to delivery rooms, prison, hateful people, and quite a racial religious cult."

By the end of the read, the reader will get quite a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching story about 'race, love, hate, and religions that will all tie into these connections of the human race.' I enjoyed the way this author presented this story that seemed to intertwine so very well giving the reader some relatable characters with storylines that seemed to come together in the end. To find out more about this story I would recommend you to pick up "Mixed Blessings" to see for yourself how good this story really is.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Many thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I loved the start of this book, which was really well written and interesting. However, it seemed to change direction and I admit I got bored about a third of the way in. It's a shame because the author shows a lot of promise and I would consider reading their next book.

It's an unusual book set in a few different places and I'm curious to follow the other reader's reviews because the 'Kublai Khan' name confused me.

Wow. This is a fantastic book! It is is well-written with an intriguing plot that that combines religion, racism and politics. This novel was so captivating, so detailed and intense with strong and intriguing characters that I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advance reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.