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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun YA historical with a central mystery with charming sisters trying to save their family from racism and the freaking patriarchy.
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's hard to rate a book when you know part of your feelings are the product of really good writing. I'm angry and frustrated because of how corrupt LA was, how much it discriminated against the Chinese, and how much struggle there was for just an ounce of decency for many minority folks in the '30's-'50's. Besides that, this was a great noir book with an intriguing mystery with many loose threads that all got wrapped up in the end. Gemma and May are fantastic characters and I would read a whole series following them, their respective romances, and vintage LA.
I did knock a star off because of how cringey the use of old-timey slang was. If you feel the need to have a character explain what a particular slang meant, then you probably shouldn't use it since they wouldn't need to explain the slang in the world. It throws you out of the world.
contains violence, murder, racism, romance, mentions of homophobia
I did knock a star off because of how cringey the use of old-timey slang was. If you feel the need to have a character explain what a particular slang meant, then you probably shouldn't use it since they wouldn't need to explain the slang in the world. It throws you out of the world.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Unfortunately, Stacy Lee is not a seasoned mystery writer.
I absolutely love the concept (and the nod to Anna May Wong) however the story is too cartoonish to be the crime noir it sells itself as. Overall, the book was a fun summer read and like all mysteries, I had to see it through.
My biggest issues were the ending and the overall writing style. Lee tells you everything a character thinks and over explains cultural motifs alongside 30’s slang. So much of it can be deduced by context clues and the lack of explanation would have allow its reader to truly sink into the world.
The ending was incredibly rushed and an interesting romance subplot was wrapped up in a few sentences.
Further, the villian was far too cartoony for the more serious, less than fantastical world Lee sets up. Further, this villian wasn’t, in my opinion, properly foreshadowed (although their accomplice was).
The synopsis describes three sisters, however the youngest sister is less than a sidekick and barely contributes to the plot.
Finally, Lee either spoonfeeds the reader or skims over any historical or intersectional political commentary. While the book is young adult, its intended audience deserves a bit more credit.
Honestly, my favorite part was the sister’s scamming people. If the book had removed the murder and instead focused on Gemma convincing May to act to save Chinatown and scamming their way into the studio, I think it would have been more successful.
I absolutely love the concept (and the nod to Anna May Wong) however the story is too cartoonish to be the crime noir it sells itself as. Overall, the book was a fun summer read and like all mysteries, I had to see it through.
My biggest issues were the ending and the overall writing style. Lee tells you everything a character thinks and over explains cultural motifs alongside 30’s slang. So much of it can be deduced by context clues and the lack of explanation would have allow its reader to truly sink into the world.
The ending was incredibly rushed and an interesting romance subplot was wrapped up in a few sentences.
Further, the villian was far too cartoony for the more serious, less than fantastical world Lee sets up. Further, this villian wasn’t, in my opinion, properly foreshadowed (although their accomplice was).
The synopsis describes three sisters, however the youngest sister is less than a sidekick and barely contributes to the plot.
Finally, Lee either spoonfeeds the reader or skims over any historical or intersectional political commentary. While the book is young adult, its intended audience deserves a bit more credit.
Honestly, my favorite part was the sister’s scamming people. If the book had removed the murder and instead focused on Gemma convincing May to act to save Chinatown and scamming their way into the studio, I think it would have been more successful.
Stacey Lee’s Kill Her Twice is a masterful blend of historical fiction and mystery that captivates from the very first page. Set against the rich backdrop of 1930s Los Angeles, the novel immerses readers in the vibrant yet tumultuous world of Chinatown, offering a fresh perspective on Old Hollywood.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated