C.K. Durham's *Lotus* is a wonderfully engaging story that weaves together the lives of three unique characters set against the backdrop of the pre-Vietnam War era. Isabela, who is troubled by vivid dreams, embarks on a journey to Thailand to study with a talented watercolor artist. Lance, a Navy pilot, is called for a secret mission in Laos, a place with deep personal connections for him. Meanwhile, in El Salvador, young Mera watches her peaceful life unravel as civil war breaks out.

Durham does a fantastic job of connecting these seemingly unrelated tales, highlighting how the characters’ journeys reflect each other while exploring themes of connection, change, and hope. The vivid descriptions really transport you to the beautiful landscapes of Southeast Asia and Central America, allowing you to feel the sights, sounds, and scents of each setting.

The author skillfully weaves historical events into the narrative, giving readers a captivating glimpse into a challenging time. The novel brilliantly shows how random events and people can come together in surprising ways. Each main character experiences significant growth as they navigate their emotions around loss, love, and the quest for purpose in a world filled with conflict.

While the pace felt a bit slow in the beginning, and some of the supporting characters could’ve used a bit more depth, the story overall is a rich and rewarding read!

*Lotus* is a compelling debut novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of mysticism. Durham's lyrical writing and insightful exploration of human connection create a truly memorable reading experience. If you're looking for a story that will linger in your mind long after you turn the final page, *Lotus* is definitely worth picking up.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy:
- Historical fiction focused on the Vietnam War era
- Stories set in Southeast Asia or Central America
- Novels that explore themes of interconnectedness and fate
Character-driven narratives with strong emotional resonance

Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy of Lotus in exchange for an honest review. I tried several times over the past year to get through this one, but I had a hard time following the plot and/or purpose of this. Maybe this turns around and starts to make sense? I’m not sure, but after making it more than half way I’m throwing in the towel because this has become a chore to get through.

This was a captivating novel about three individuals whose paths in life cross. The novel is narrated in different timelines and explores the connection between the characters. It was intriguing, read with an unpredictable ending.

Just a book that is totally worth your time and money. Please buy it off the shelf that is nearest to you and give it a read. You won't regret it.

Explores the human toll of war I loved the descriptive writing style and the atmospheric passages.
Many thanks to the author and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Such a compelling novel that follows generational families that seem unrelated to one another. CK Durham does a great job on depicting how everything is intertwined. Such beautiful descriptions of the settings. My imagination was very vivid!

The first few chapters interested me, but then I found it difficult to follow why the story went where it did and also ultimately the connection between the characters and conflicts. The romantic relationships themselves were interesting, and there was some ideas that gave information about what the different conflicts were like for those involved from a military and civilian perspective. Thank you to BookBuzz.net and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine.

It was intriguing, mysterious and twisted. It’s like one of those books where the story is narrated in different timelines and there are so many characters to figure out there connection with each other. In the beginning it felt like a different pieces of puzzle have been put together. And until i connected them, the story already hooked me and it made me curious.

The book has such a promising beginning and an unpredictable ending. While I was thinking that I am just reading about different characters, I didn’t realise there are strings attached to them. They were like missing pieces of puzzle to each other and woah a lot of happens in this book. It surprised me and shocked me both. While I felt whether it all happened because it was Isabela’s destiny or because of choices she made. While Lance was a kind of character for whom his destiny has always been unpredictable for him. Sometimes destiny is cruel and love has a tragic ending.

A captivating novel that explores the lives of three individuals whose paths intersect amidst the chaos of war and the impermanence of nature. The writing is rich and immersive, transporting readers to exotic locales and exploring complex themes of love, loss, and redemption. This is a novel that will leave readers thinking long after they finish the final page, and is a must-read for anyone who loves epic, multigenerational stories that explore the complexities of the human experience.

A sweeping, epic novel that spans four decades and explores the lives of three individuals against the backdrop of war and nature. The writing is poetic and evocative, transporting the reader to the lush jungles of Thailand, the skies above the USS Midway, and the rural villages of El Salvador. The characters are fully realized and compelling, each with their own unique struggles and journeys towards redemption. This is a beautifully written, immersive novel that will stay with readers long after they turn the final page.