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angel__'s review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Most characters I didn't like, including the main character Juliette.
And it's quite brutal, so check the trigger warnings before reading!
Rep.: trans, gay
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, Blood, Racism, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Moderate: Car accident, Death of parent, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
graceheartsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
All I’ve ever heard about this book is it’s a Romeo and Juliet retelling but I honestly think that does it a disservice (or maybe it’s just the fact that Romeo and Juliet retellings have to bring something interesting to the table since a story that’s been retold many times). I’ve never seen anyone mention that this story involves a supernatural monster and if I had known that I would’ve read it sooner lol
I’m amazed that Chloe Gong wrote this during college—writing/doing the research process to make the story authentic to 1920s Shanghai while also studying as a student. Especially since I’m around the same age she was.
Anyway, the story is much more about Roma and Juliette’s relationship and the mystery surrounding the ‘Larkspur’ which is the monster that is killing Shanghai plus the struggles between current residents and the foreigners that have taken over the area’s local businesses. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the world that Chloe Gong set up. I can’t wait to read the second book.
I was going to rate this 4.5 stars initially but I got into a reading slump so had gap between when I last read a chapter and when I finished the book so it’s getting a 4.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Racism and Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Drug use, Transphobia, and Death of parent
mblanke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, Toxic relationship, Death, Classism, War, Death of parent, Drug use, Gore, Grief, and Violence
jooniethemoonie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death of parent, and Hate crime
Minor: Classism, Cursing, Hate crime, War, and Torture
literarianrose's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood and Death
Minor: Death of parent
tell_them_stories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Colonisation, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Body horror, Classism, and Medical content
Minor: Confinement, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Parasitic lice-like insectsanna_333's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Body horror, Pandemic/Epidemic, Grief, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Physical abuse
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Hate crime, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Kidnapping, Medical content, Self harm, Stalking, Suicide, Body horror, Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Gore, Bullying, Chronic illness, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, and Vomit
victoria_elaine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Gore, Death, Murder, Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Grief
creolelitbelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Self harm, Emotional abuse, Blood, Classism, Violence, Murder, Death, Gun violence, Gore, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Sexism, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Cursing, Terminal illness, Racism, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Transphobia, Sexual content, and Drug use