This is probably the best 'first book by an author' I've read this year.

I know next to nothing about Korea or Korean culture, but Claire Ahn did a wonderful job integrating New York and Seoul together seamlessly. While typically having a lot of detail in a book can be boring, the food and locations and people were so foreign to me that I was completely enthralled. I could practically see, taste and smell Mel's adventures learning about her heritage, and now want to go see Korea for myself.

The characters are all interesting and well developed, no one seems too flat or like a caricature. The story line is well thought out and believable. And while the main character is a teenager, and sometimes acts as such, she wasn't too immature or unrelatable.

Highly recommend.