Scan barcode
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Police brutality
linblythe_pub22'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
Graphic: Gun violence and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, and Colonisation
gretchenplz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
But I believe that this book would have been 100% better had it been half as long. With the way the first book ended, I expected to be able to immediately be pulled back into the world and be unable to put the book down, but that is, unfortunately, not the case.
The book could have started at 60% and I would have been happy. There are too many layers, too many characters, no smooth plot to follow. The fantasy element should have been removed if she truly wanted the significance of the historical happenings to be the focus.
All of the characters are complicated, and borderline unlikeable at times. Their juvenile view of the world is frustrating, and it, I think, is partially why the story gets so bogged down.
I did, however, really appreciate the OG Romeo & Juliet Easter eggs (quotes, scenes , etc.)!
The ending... left a lot to be desired. While we all KNOW how it's going to end, it just felt like, after 500 pages, the author was just... tired of writing? The whole book ended in a literal paragraph?? This is why we need beta readers and editors who offer their honest feedback.
The fantasy elements of this duology were weak and unnecessary. I see the metaphor that the author was going for, but it was underdeveloped and would have been better just removed and reworked so R&J had a different excuse to work together.
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be picking up another one of Gong's books. Her writing style is just not for me, I fear. She was definitely tried for a Leigh Bardugo/Ninth House style of writing and just did not execute the way Leigh does.
My star rating is a bit soft, because I truly did hate read this entire book and would have DNF'd if it wasn't for a club.
Graphic: Gun violence and Murder
Minor: Suicide
vagorsol'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: Death and Gun violence
guessgreenleaf'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? No
5.0
Moderate: Torture, Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, Colonisation, and Classism
stacyaj'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
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
littlewishling'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Gore
faemh's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gun violence and Violence
jackyy93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The development of the side characters makes this book more entertaining to read. <3
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Torture and Suicide attempt
kareenadeah'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: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Murder