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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
i think my fundamental problem here is that the story of romeo and juliet DOES end in tragedy, but all meaning behind it has been removed here. this isn’t anything i would’ve cared about in 2021 (hence my earlier five star rating) but i just can’t help but think 99% of anything about romeo and juliet is removed here. character names and death, that’s it. roma and juliette are so capable and smart and near-perfect, so unlike their namesakes, that this doesn’t really work as an adaptation.
also, this is worse than the first book. the plot is all over the place, there seems to be a random twist on every other page, and the attempted blending of the monstrous aspect and the historical context just doesn’t work here as it did before. the story is no longer self-contained - trying to deal with very real historical events of shanghai doesn’t mesh well with a gangster love story and freaky bug monsters. the characters are still fun and compelling (although tyler is an ass and i’m not sure why we were supposed to be caring about him) and the book reads easily, but it’s nothing to write home about.
also, this is worse than the first book. the plot is all over the place, there seems to be a random twist on every other page, and the attempted blending of the monstrous aspect and the historical context just doesn’t work here as it did before. the story is no longer self-contained - trying to deal with very real historical events of shanghai doesn’t mesh well with a gangster love story and freaky bug monsters. the characters are still fun and compelling (although tyler is an ass and i’m not sure why we were supposed to be caring about him) and the book reads easily, but it’s nothing to write home about.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Absolutely in love with you Chloe Gong. This one is so incredibly fun to read, especially when you completely forget how the original Shakespeare goes.
The poetic writing is absolutely beautiful but I think it’s a bit much and makes the action a little harder to follow. That being said, I am OBSESSED with how strong Shanghai is as a character. It’s fucking terrifying and so powerful and I eat that kinda shit up.
Some of the writing is repetitive and I wish there were more individual characters that were highlighted so we have an even deeper connection to the city and people.
But like overall, I’m obsessed with sad, tired women who fight for what they want. I love reading about selfish women, evil women, women in love for themselves. Being a woman means constantly being shoved on the front lines for the sake of peace, but knowing you have to be the one to do the dirty work.
The poetic writing is absolutely beautiful but I think it’s a bit much and makes the action a little harder to follow. That being said, I am OBSESSED with how strong Shanghai is as a character. It’s fucking terrifying and so powerful and I eat that kinda shit up.
Some of the writing is repetitive and I wish there were more individual characters that were highlighted so we have an even deeper connection to the city and people.
But like overall, I’m obsessed with sad, tired women who fight for what they want. I love reading about selfish women, evil women, women in love for themselves. Being a woman means constantly being shoved on the front lines for the sake of peace, but knowing you have to be the one to do the dirty work.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
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
Continuing on with my violent delights reading journey!
Still the continued awesomeness, I was lost on the plot up until the last hundred pages to be honest but that's a fault on me rather then the author. Twists where good, Celia's arc was good, I literally do not remember what happened to Rosalind but I'm not sure if that's my fault or the author just made her disappear.
Alisa and Benedikt still barely had characterization, Rosalind had nice characterization, Marshall was being the best character in the book, and Roma and Juliette were doing their usual.
I'm still slightly torn on RomaJuliette but as of now I lean more towards liking it. I still wish I could've enjoyed them from the beginning but it happens.
Still the continued awesomeness, I was lost on the plot up until the last hundred pages to be honest but that's a fault on me rather then the author. Twists where good, Celia's arc was good, I literally do not remember what happened to Rosalind but I'm not sure if that's my fault or the author just made her disappear.
Alisa and Benedikt still barely had characterization, Rosalind had nice characterization, Marshall was being the best character in the book, and Roma and Juliette were doing their usual.
I'm still slightly torn on RomaJuliette but as of now I lean more towards liking it. I still wish I could've enjoyed them from the beginning but it happens.
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this book much better than the first. The characters were more fleshed out, and I grew an attachment to them by the end.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Death
Minor: Kidnapping
adventurous
medium-paced
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