In Transplants, debut novelist Daniel Tam-Claiborne has crafted an engrossing story laced with specificity of time and place. So much contemporary fiction about China is set in Shanghai; while a few chapters of Transplants take place in the metropolis, Tam-Claiborne’s knowledge and descriptive abilities really come out to shine when his story lingers in the country’s third-tier cities. Main characters Lin and Liz meet at a backwater university in Shanxi, and Liz later spends time in both Dandong and her family’s ancestral home in Fujian. In each place, Tam-Claiborne sprinkles in small details—the restaurants, the hotels, the streetscape—that add texture and convey just how far away much of China is from the flash of Shanghai. Similarly, Lin’s road trip across the United States brings readers to out-of-the-way towns and empty highways during the height of Covid stay-at-home orders in spring 2020.

Tam-Claiborne introduces Lin and Liz to each other early in Transplants, but the book is not quite the story of their friendship. Instead, the two are like pool balls that have collided and bounced off each other, the force of their meeting sending both into new directions and permanently altering the trajectories of their lives. Each young woman is trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs. Neither one has ever felt fully comfortable in her home environment, but both learn that moving to a new country involves its own kind of alienation. Tam-Claiborne skillfully and patiently brings the reader along on these two personal journeys, which are intimately intertwined yet ultimately about achieving independence.

4/5⭐️ First of all, thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for an arc of “Transplants”. I love reading books about the main characters’ life experiences, I found them very interesting and I learn a lot. In this case, I really really liked learning about the development of Lin’s and Liz’s lives. It’s crazy how life experiences can affect us in different ways and make a change in our life paths. Such a compelling read!

DNF at 42%

I don't know if I can rate it, but I give what I've read so far, three stars.

Perhaps, it was the quiet tone. Perhaps, it was the odd format of the ARC, that made it difficult to read and navigate. Perhaps, it was also because, despite the important topics it touched upon, it was slow.

The two lives of Lin and Liz, interweaving in intergenerational and intercultural, traumatic ways definitely intrigued me.

However, not enough to keep me hooked, unfortunately.

I would give it another chance maybe later on in life, but right now, a book to take my time with, is not it.

This book has-
1) Discussions of belonging, in one's own culture, and in cultures that are foreign
2) Coming of age vibes
3) The potential to be a wide and far-reaching saga about straddling the line of unknown vs. known.

I would try to read another book by the author, or like I said, maybe give this book another chance, utilizing a finalized, easier to navigate copy.

Thank you, to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Transplants by Daniel Tam-Claiborne is a harrowing and poignant novel following two young women in pursuit of kinship and self-discovery who yearn to survive in a world that doesn’t know where either of them belong.

I really liked this. Both a tender, moving story but also filled with a great action-packed plot. The protagonists are both complex, realistic, very well written, and both fight with their identity and sense of belonging. Interestingly the book wavers between the political and the personal, balancing as if on an invisible tight rope, showing the real consequences of migration, identity crisis, and the messy reality of life.

This is a wonderful book that is a great read for anyone that has wondered where they belong and where they should call home.

"Let me decide how I get spoken for. Let me control the narrative to my own story".

I really enjoyed this as a first read by this author. The characters were richly depicted and developed as the book went on. Touching on themes of identity, betrayal, immigration and belonging, reading Transplants helped me to reflect internally on my own sense of self and identity. It can be difficult to relate to characters who experience life in a different way to you, but Daniel Tam-Claiborne makes it easy to relate to Liz and Lin. I would absolutely be interested in reading more from this author!

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read Transplants!

Transplants by Daniel Tam-Claiborne is a beautifully written debut that I really liked—thoughtful, emotional, and rich with themes of identity and belonging. The dual perspectives and global backdrop made it both intimate and expansive.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

“Transplants” is the story of Liz and Lin who are both different in culture and identity, but also same in their search for true meaning and what it means to be Chinese living in China and America. The author does a good job balancing the time spent on both of their perspectives, and the pacing of the story was just right. There are a lot of moments of introspection for both characters, which could have made the story’s pacing slower, but the writing made it seem as eventful that allows the reader to stay invested in Lin and Liz’s journeys. I was particularly interested in the characters’ respective pandemic experiences, especially since it is such a recent event and each reader will definitely recall their own experiences and resonate with the feelings of uncertainty and isolation.

I appreciated the novel’s hopeful and encouraging tone, as the main characters find their confidence to forge paths for themselves where they truly feel that they belong.

The novel follows two protagonists: Lin is a freshman at a rural Chinese university, while Liz, a Chinese American who is only a few years older and a recent college graduate herself, is an English teacher there. Both struggling to fit in, they eventually become friends.

But the story is not so much about the friendship between the two of them. Rather, their story lines are juxtaposed to paint a more nuanced picture than to address the idea of friendship per se. And choosing them both as focal points allows for a lot of, let's say, mirroring: a third-tier college in China - a third-tier college in the U.S.; Lin's coming to the U.S., which she knows so well from popular culture - Liz's coming to China, with the specter of which she grew up but has never visited. Leaving behind the space where things were understandable - for a chance to find something new, especially within themselves - on both trajectories. And a lot of discussion about never quite belonging anywhere, as a human condition, I guess. (Liz could blame her in-betweenness, too Chinese for America, too American for China - but I loved that this was juxtaposed with Lin's struggles with meaningful human connections within her home culture, where she is not marked as an "Other" in ethnic or cultural terms).

What really surprised me was that this is a story with a very precise chronology - set between the fall of 2019 and the fall of 2020, - so the pandemic, the lockdowns, and the two nations' handling of the crisis is a major theme there.

This was a very satisfying read, stylistically, and a thought-provoking one. But I found myself wondering: I would really like to read this (similar, comparable) story written by a female author, since the experience of girls in particular with the demands of their cultures is such a central theme here.

I also wonder what was that about - the whole "prefers to communicate with her pets over human friends" thing that I am sure is repeated in every review, because that is how Lin is introduced to us readers in the first chapter of the novel. Based on this initial portrayal, I would expect that there's something profound going on here, but then everything that this characterization hinted at just fizzled out. Was it all just to mark her as a "weirdo", a "manic pixie girl"?

Publication date May 13 2025.

I received a review copy of this title through NetGalley. The opinion above is my own.

It is such a privilege to have read this book and to share it with everyone. Daniel Tam-Claiborne's *Transplants* was not on my radar, but its beautiful cover drew me in on NetGalley. Thank goodness, because it is a beautifully written novel—so beautiful and captivating that I resented real life on more than one occasion for taking me away from reading. One of the best parts of reading is inhabiting another person's experience far removed from your own. That's why fiction can transform the world—it's such a vehicle for empathy.

*Transplants* follows two young women, Lin and Liz. Lin is attending college for the first time. She feels weighed down by the collective cultural expectations imposed by her mother and society. She finds freedom in speaking English and interacting with the young American English teachers. Liz is one of those teachers. She is Chinese Canadian and feels sadness about not fitting into China. She always feels removed, just as she does in America. In the U.S., she is too Chinese, and in China, she is too American. Lin and Liz become friends, and the story moves back and forth between them.

This book encompasses a multitude of themes—the struggle against collective identity, questions of freedom, the pandemic experiences in both China and the U.S., anti-Asian racism, and the persistent feeling of never truly belonging, regardless of location. Coupled with America's trade war with China, this book feels profoundly relevant. It also highlights the similarities between the Chinese authoritarian government and the American government of 2025.

Ultimately, the narrative revolves around two young women striving to define themselves and navigate their lives. I really recommend it! Thank you to #netgalley and Post Hill Press for the opportunity to read it early. Transplants comes out on May 25th!


I really want to read Daniel Tam-Claiborne first book now - a book of short stories about teaching English in rural China.

Truly, this book is eye-opening and so completely beautiful in many ways. It hurts to read, it’s hard to read, even, but I’ve never felt so close to an experience that’s not my own. Transplants is slow and meticulous. It took me a long time to get through, but I don’t think it’s something you can rush; this is a depiction of life, is it not? At the end of the day Lin and Liz are people, and they make the difficult choices that many people have made before, and will make again. To me, Transplants is about connection. About making a home for yourself in every liminal space you think you have no control over. About creating your own version of home, even when you’re haunted by the homes you’ve lived in before—because nothing is so rigid or so fluid that you cannot carve out a space for yourself that fits exactly who you are now.

Trigger warning for anyone not in the headspace to read depictions of Anti-Asian hate and racism, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tam-Claiborne dives into the themes of belonging and identity in this stunning novel, Transplants. It is such an engaging story that I found myself sitting down for hours at a time just to understand our protagonists, Liz and Lin, a little bit better and watch them grow.
T-C deftly examines the foreigner experience by juxtaposing the characters’ journeys in China and the US. While both are of Chinese descent, their experiences couldn’t be more different, and we read about the inner conflicts and nuances of cultural expectations and assumptions. I can relate to Liz, as a Chinese American with guilt for not speaking the heritage language well enough, and the very real Asian-but-not-Asian-enough turmoil.
I love the twists and journey the book takes,
traveling through both China and the states, seeing slices of life in each area, and greeting a diverse cast of characters from different backgrounds. What I found to be the most unique and fascinating about this book was that it took us into the COVID-19 pandemic in both countries with varying perspectives on the virus and its effect on daily life. This is something American literature or media hasn’t delved into yet, and I’m glad Transplants is opening up that space. Overall, I found this to be a brilliant book with lovely, imperfect characters taking ownership of their place in the world.

Thank you Net Galley, Regalo and Post Hill Press for the ARC, this review is of my own opinion. I truly enjoyed Transplants. Lin and Liz, both trying to fit in and break the preconceptions of who they are. Lin, a Chinese student struggles to fit in with others, feeling more comfortable around animals, after a great misjustice, finds herself in the United States. The opposite situation with Liz, a Chinese American, returns to China and her life becomes intertwined with Lin’s. Liz, grew up not knowing a lot about her heritage, and is acclimated to life in the US. With the world suddenly thrown into chaos, both Lin and Liz have to navigate a hostile environment not of their own making, where they are seen as outsiders again.

With Lin, I found her struggles to be completely relatable, it is not easy trying to fit in when you are an outsider and then to go to a new place and learn that despite having the same ancestral home, the cultural difference between those who are from there and those who have never set foot in the country can be an insurmountable gulf. It something that we see in every group and the author portrayed this eloquently. Also with Liz, I found her journey to rediscovering her roots and her family, heartfelt. I highly recommend.

Great read! First read from this author. This book makes me want to read more from this author. Kept my attention and interest until the end.

This fictional novel is about the lives of two women, one Chinese and the other Chinese-American, and how their lives intertwine. The author illuminates the notions of being Chinese in the U.S. and China and also how, despite being born in the U.S., a Chinese-American never truly feels American. Familial relationships play strongly in both women's identities.

Written in a culturally sensitive and political manner, the author touches on fundamental issues, making this a thought-provoking read. The main characters' names are so close that there were instances of using the wrong name, but despite that, Transplants was an engrossing read.

This is a beautifully written book that starts off slowly but gradually pulls you in with its rich, well-developed characters. Lin and Liz are both compellingly portrayed, offering a profound glimpse into the experience of being Chinese during the pandemic. The story unfolds with a haunting, contemplative mood, and while it takes its time, it mirrors the unpredictability and beauty of life itself. As the narrative progresses, you grow alongside the characters, sharing in their emotions and struggles. It’s a deeply thought-provoking exploration of belonging, one that resonates long after the final page.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

4⭐️

[a copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher from netgalley. thank you!]

transplants is a powerful story of two women, which perfectly encapsulates themes of identity, belonging, & immigration. well-crafted characters that display the similarities and differences of their experiences in a beautifully written story.

I think it was one of my favourite books that I've picked up through NetGalley this year. It had both, an incredibly fascinating story and very well written characters that all match the title and the main theme of the story in their own original way.

The main two characters are both trying to find their own way to fit in, and to make a living in the place they ended up with. I can't say I agree with some of those choices, and saying that I liked all of the characters would be a lie, but overall it was a very interesting and entertaining journey. I think that their names, Lin and Liz are made similar on purpose, to show them as two sides of one coin, but it was confusing at times.

There was some switching to Chinese, but thankfully I had some lessons at uni, so I could manage somehow.

I'd like to send my thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a free version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Daniel Tam-Claiborne‘s debut novel “Transplants” is, first and foremost, a story about those who don’t really fit either of the two racial categories they’re supposed to belong to. the novel follows two main characters, Lin and Liz, in their self-discovery journey to find out who they are, where they belong, and what they want for their lives, despite relatives’ or society’s expectations. it’s a story of two young women coming to terms (or being at peace with not coming to terms) with their blurred identity, but it’s also a story about love in its various forms and sizes: for your family, for your friends, for your partner, for your country’s food, for the community surrounding you.

A short list of the aspects I loved the most in the book:
- deep & intimate introspection of both main characters: feelings, reflections, inner conflicts.
- complicated family relationships.
- realistically messy young adult female characters.
- the effects of covid on people “assumed” Chinese (racism, xenophobia, hate crimes...).

💌I believe featuring the covid19 pandemic was a highlight for the novel, since it serves as yet another vehicle through which racism, xenophobia, and hate discourse can be propagated. overall, it was a great debut and i sincerely recommend it if you’re interested in these themes. it’s also a very strong contendent for your aapi tbr, since it officially launches in may!

Transplants by Daniel Tam-Claiborne
A moving and thought-provoking novel, Transplants explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural displacement. Daniel Tam-Claiborne’s prose is lyrical and deeply introspective, offering readers a powerful look into the experience of navigating multiple worlds. A compelling read for those who enjoy literary fiction with emotional depth.

This hard-hitting and poignant novel really surprised me. Despite its short length, it covers a breadth of time, distance, and themes. I really liked how this book drilled into the 'grass is greener' themes and didn't shy away from the massive racism and inequality problems that plague The States. Too often in fiction, The States are portrayed as some sort of mecca, which couldn't be further from the truth! This book examines both Chinese and American cultures, warts and all.

I came to root for Lin and Liz over the narrative. Both of them made frustrating choices at times but it was impossible not to cheer them on. But, due to their similar names, I found myself having to pause to remind myself whose story I was in. (The ARC sometimes even had the wrong names which didn't help!)

The storytelling style was straight forward, the pacing was good, and the senses of place felt strong. The writing style felt rough around the edges at times, but Tam-Claiborne shows immense promise.

I'm glad I spent time with this book!