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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Others Were Emeralds is a novel detailing the story of Ai, who is a child of Cambodian refugees, as she bulldozes through high school with her group of friends, but everything changed the moment they encountered vile men who clearly depicted several acts of racist cruelty. Most of the characters here are not exactly lovable, and I did find them to be annoying to an extent—clearly not thinking much about the consequences of their own actions. However, they were flawed, and they had their own opinions about politics; some are unsure, some are cowardly, and some are straightforward about it. I would've liked the story more had there not been a scene that I couldn't tolerate.
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Rape
emotional
reflective
medium-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
Others Were Emeralds by Lang Leav is a book that I had never heard of until a friend recommended it to me, and I am so grateful that she did. I don’t think she could have picked a more perfect recommendation. A coming-of-age novel set in the 90s featuring an Asian-Australian protagonist? Say no more.
I can’t remember the last time a book made me *feel* this much. I was completely swept up in Ai’s story. When she fell in love, I was taken right back to my own high school relationship. As she grappled with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, I ached for her. When she experienced betrayal, I felt betrayed. When she grieved, I grieved. Lang Leav expertly unravels this story in a way that is unputdownable and keeps the reader on their toes.
I don’t want to say too much more, as I think this book is best appreciated with little to no knowledge going into it. But I hope that if you pick it up, you love it as much as I did.
I can’t remember the last time a book made me *feel* this much. I was completely swept up in Ai’s story. When she fell in love, I was taken right back to my own high school relationship. As she grappled with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, I ached for her. When she experienced betrayal, I felt betrayed. When she grieved, I grieved. Lang Leav expertly unravels this story in a way that is unputdownable and keeps the reader on their toes.
I don’t want to say too much more, as I think this book is best appreciated with little to no knowledge going into it. But I hope that if you pick it up, you love it as much as I did.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god I loved this book and it completely came out of nowhere. It had been on my radar for a while but I had sort of forgotten what it was supposed to be about but I wasn't expecting all of the gossip and drama. I was so invested the whole time and every plot twist floored me. I felt for all of the main characters so much and this is definitely a new favourite. I'm a bit stuck on what to rate it because I'm not sure if I got that 5 star feeling but it was pretty much there.
A beautiful, haunting and gripping story.
Every line felt laced with meaning and intention, all leading to a bitter-sweet ending.
Every line felt laced with meaning and intention, all leading to a bitter-sweet ending.
This has me up and down some moments were incredibly powerful and I loved them. Other parts really dragged. I think the overall plotting of the climactic moments and pacing didn’t quite work for me. Slow to start- and I almost gave up on it. Then the story turned abruptly and I was back in it. But then it lagged again in the last third.
I definitely think it’s worth reading. And for teenagers I think it would be a great read.
I definitely think it’s worth reading. And for teenagers I think it would be a great read.