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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
jessiereads98'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
Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.
The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story wouldāve felt more complete, and she wouldāve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.
Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. Thereās metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isnāt enough to make the entire book off-putting.
Graphic: Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexism
autumnal_moon'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: Genocide and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Minor: Racism
jayisreading's review against another edition
4.25
From what I gathered, Gong seems to be working on another Shakespeare retelling, and I look forward to what sheāll come up with next.
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Violence, War, Death, Blood, and Gun violence
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Body horror, and Kidnapping
Minor: Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Homophobia
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This a slow to medium paced story, anchored both in the historical events of the 20/30ās in Shangai, revolution, communists, nationalists, foreign invaders, gangsters all making the streets of the town run red with the blood of the people, and itās also a retelling of the famous Shakespearean love tragedy Romeu and Juliet.
Iāve to say it wasnāt the easiest book to dive into, thankfully thereāre the Montagov and Marsh who were all so endearing and made me keep going, eventually I came into syntony with the story albeit dreading how close to the original it would stick to.
Soon it became a riveting read and continued until the end, with plenty of bloodshed, monsters, hate, betrayal, murder, and of course love to conquer all odds.
I canāt say how close it cut to the original tale without spoilers, I can only say thereāre a few plot twists related and unrelated with the Shakespearean tragedy.
Overall a 4.5āļø duology and if you like YA retellings, with dark mystery, gangs, history and tragedy this is for you.
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Drug use, Torture, Alcohol, Gore, Suicide, Gun violence, Death, Blood, Body horror, Racism, and Self harm
Minor: Transphobia
annie_m_12'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: Death, Genocide, Murder, War, Police brutality, Violence, Blood, and Racism
eddine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Police brutality, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Suicide attempt, and War
anikam07'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
5.0
Graphic: Gore and Gun violence
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Misogyny
devynry'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
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Murder, Police brutality, Racism, Violence, and War
bedtimesandbooks'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: Blood, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Xenophobia, War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Self harm, Racism, Misogyny, and Sexism