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caitlin_bookchats's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was a wonderful read. There were many sad parts but there was also cute/funny parts along with hopefulness. I loved all the characters and how they all grew/interacted with each other. The ending left me with a feeling of hope for the characters especially with Hng and her brother and Hng with Leroy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
The MC is a refugee from the Vietnam War, and the novel takes place in 1981, with flashbacks to her previous life in Vietnam with her family and her escape by boat. Strong war themes and post-traumatic stress symptoms.sarahs_shelf_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’d never heard of Butterfly Yellow until I found it on my library’s YA new arrivals display. I picked it up impulsively because it sounded like an interesting read, and I’m glad I did. Although I neither warmed to the characters nor became invested in the story until the second half, Lai’s novel is a raw, emotional story, unlike any I’ve read before. I was convinced this would be a 3-star read for most of the book, but the last third had enough of an impact on me to make me change my mind. The final chapters were sweet and I honestly don’t think any other ending would’ve been as good. This is a quick read, and one that definitely deserves more attention. I recommend it to all who can handle its content.
Representation
Representation
- Vietnamese protagonist and side character
- Black side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Body horror
I’m not sure if body horror is the right term, but it’s the best I could come up with. It’s very minor, mainly present in the last third of the book if at all. The book also contains discussion of war and brief mentions of depression.