Only Uni - Camy Tang

The second book in Tang's Sushi series (Zondervan) begins with the same vibrant energy that characterized Sushi for One. Only Uni sticks with the same basic cast of characters as the first book - cousins Lex, Trish, Jennifer and Venus, their loud, proud extended Chinese-Japanese family, and the friends that live alongside them in the fast-paced world of Silicon Valley, but focuses in on the story begun in the first novel about Trish, whose passionate nature has landed her in uncomfortably hot water.

An obsessive relationship with brooding artist Kazuo has left Trish on shaky terms with her friends and family. Determined to start over, prove herself as a devoted Christian, she establishes a set of dating rules for herself. However, as the complications in her life mount, it quickly becomes apparent that a godly life is more about faith than rules, and that God does not send love into our lives in a prescribed fashion.

I love the Sushi series for the fact that it doesn't shy away from the painful realities of life, and Only Uni holds up to this well. Tang hits on some of the darker elements of the modern Christian life, including alcohol use, divorce, premarital sex, and, to my delight, the petty jealousies and cruelties that can divide a church. Trish, who throws her heart and soul into musical worship, is treated with disdain by other worshippers in her congregation, who feel that she's too 'over-the-top'. Very few writers have the courage to admit that modern churches have the same elitist, clique-ish social structure as the rest of the community. Good fiction doesn't preach, but holds up a mirror to life so that we might examine ourselves. Tang gives a beautiful and painful reflection of modern congregational society, and will cause every one of her readers to pause and think.

Only Uni is a great story, fast-paced, tightly written, engaging, with every bit of the hilariously energetic dialogue and delicious descriptions of it's prequel. You'll walk away thinking, praying, examining yourself... and craving those sweet pork dumplings once again.

Highly Recommended