This was an absolutely fantastic book, not just because of the information about the country's history, but because of the beautiful story and language that Vaddey uses to tell her story. Vaddey Ratner lived the life of the story's narrator, a little girl named Raami. Raami came from a wealthy family who was related to royalty through her paternal grandmother. They were well off and it seemed that most of her family was well meaning. Everything in her life was beautiful, bright, delicious, and magical. 
 Then one day everything began to change as the Khmer Rouge began its descent upon the capital of Cambodia. This group came down hard on all the wealthy people of Cambodia and began to dispersing the people of the capital all over the country. For years, Raami was moved from one camp to another, each time losing more of her relatives. She lost her father early on when he sacrificed himself to spare his family the pain and suffering that they had witnessed so many other families endure. But losing her father was only the beginning of the torture Raami would go on to experience. 
 Vaddey fills the pages with Raami's imaginary friends who are gods and goddesses of Cambodia culture. Raami's innocent perspective and active imagination adds so much power to the tragedies that unfold around her. Combined with the the breathtaking descriptions of her home country, Vaddey's story has become one of my favorites.