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beckyvh523's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Death and Violence
bo0ks_are_cool91's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Violence, Death, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Colonisation, Suicide attempt, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol
tourmaline1703'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
4.75
I love Chloe Gong's writing style and the incorporation of other languages at times. She has reworked Romeo and Juliet so beautifully into something that pays homage to the original whilst also changing it slightly so that it remains unpredictable and a new piece of writing. The emotion and tension is so well captured, I was completely invested.
The plot is brilliant, well-layered and well paced. Each chapter unveils something new, there are twists and turns which are pretty unpredictable. There are elements of a quest, but also the political aspects of the novel really elevate the plot, adding higher stakes and more depth.
I love all the characters and was totally invested in each of their motives and storylines. I liked how each one was wrapped up, I expeted a little bit more tragedy but there was definitely a lot of emotion at the end. I can't wait to delve into the other books in this universe!
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, and Colonisation
cnaccarato's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Body horror, Mass/school shootings, Torture, Violence, Murder, Classism, Medical content, Blood, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
moondaisyy'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Body horror, and Death
kottengoesbork's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence and Colonisation
bergha1998'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
3.75
Fantasy, Dark Romance, Taboo, 1 🔥
Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Violence, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Cursing, Death, Grief, Murder, Blood, Alcohol, Classism, Colonisation, Police brutality, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
melissaslibraryy'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: Kidnapping, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Pandemic/Epidemic, Police brutality, Abandonment, Classism, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Violence, War, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content and Xenophobia
bluelilyleest'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? Yes
4.0
So, I loved it. I get why people say the second book is better than the first, because in terms of character interaction/profiles/development, it did much more. The plot was thicc, the pace was fast but still allowed for funny moments or background information, the setting and atmosphere were immersive.
Then why do I not rate it 5 stars, you ask? I ask myself the same question. I can't quite put my finger on what was lacking, and therefore you probably shouldn't take my review too seriously. It was a great retelling of what we know to be Romeo and Juliet. I think now, whenever Shakespeare's play is mentioned, I will think about Gong's Romeo and Juliet, too, and I believe that is no small feat.
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, War, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Xenophobia and Misogyny
sofieean's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent and Toxic relationship