Terra's life is burdened by two things she can't get rid of: a bright red birthmark on her face and her emotionally abusive father. Though she tries to hide from both with make-up and ambition, Terra eventually learns that she must accept herself and her life as they are in order to understand and change them.
I was somewhat surprised that this novel was not Headley's first attempt. Sometimes it seems she forgets she's writing for young adults. This is particularly evident in her erudite vocabulary and more obscure literary references. Also, the extended map methaphor is cloying and heavy-handed. However, her characters are realistic and the descriptions of China are captivating. The themes of beauty, identity, family, and abuse are all relevant, but this book feels like a better fit for older teens and early twenty-somethings.
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