The Lotus Flower Champion

By: Ilaria Masselli

It’s always difficult to talk about mental illness as in this case, obsessive compulsive disorder (“OCD”), death, cancer and put all of this in a book. With The Lotus Flower Champion we have an example of a perfect balance between all these elements with that hint of mystery which makes everything even more interesting. Personally, for a moment I was worried to find this story heavy and long, but at the same time I was surprised and really fascinated by the plot and by the courage to face certain topics in a YA book.

Alaia, the main character of this story, is on a trip with her parents in Koh Samui, where she was born, as a last wish from her mother who is dying from cancer. Despite Alaia’s desire to make this trip unforgettable, a boat accident will take them to a deserted island where mysterious challenges mixed with mythology will put a strain on her. She will have to handle not only her mental condition, being affected by OCD, but also the inexorable passage of time that takes away the last hours of mother’s life. In this surreal situation she will have to fight against her fears and find a way out.

I really loved the power and the courage that Alaia shows every time she must face her OCD, despite all the difficulties that such a disorder entails. I think that love can be seen as the key to overcoming even the biggest obstacles of life, such as in this case where time is running out and every chance could be the last one. This tense atmosphere with a pinch of mystery and the introduction of Thai mythology, which is hard to find elsewhere, makes this book a unique survival guide to use in cases of extreme difficulty.

This book is written by Pintip Dunn and her daughter Love Dunn. We already know Pintip Dunn for other titles such as Remember Yesterday, The Darkest Lie, Girl on the Verge, Star-Crossed and Malice. I really appreciate the introduction of such a peculiar topic as Thai Mythology, which is so interesting and impressive. Additionally, the exploration and explanation of such delicate topics as cancer, death and mental illness is well managed.

Maybe the story in the long run becomes a little repetitive, but this is because of the lack of conversation with other characters, as we can find instead a focus on Alaia’s inner thoughts.

The Lotus Flower Champion is a YA fantasy book with an interesting plot and investable characters. I suggest this book especially for all those who love mystery and magic at the same time. Also, I think that this book can be seen as a test of courage for having brought delicate and often avoided topics to the forefront. This book gives courage to those who feel weak and powerless towards certain obstacles of life and given at the same time a small magical piece of hope.