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maxierosalee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Full disclosure, I mostly read this book because I was curious about cozy mysteries and the character is half Asian with an ethnic mom and a white dad, just like me.
I don't feel fair criticizing the things I want to be critical about in this book because most of them are staples of cozy mystery books. I don't want to sound like I'm shaming people for liking the things that these books are known for.
So, I'll just leave my short and simple thoughts right here: as cute and relatable as this book was, I unfortunately don't think it was for me. It followed what I perceived to be the usual cozy mystery formula with all of the usual cliches and tropes you can expect. There's nothing in this book that surprises or shakes things up. I think the main thing that makes it stand out is the ethnic cast, setting, and theme of its conflict. But there's nothing wrong with that! This is a funny, light-hearted, and easy read, and if that's what you're looking for, you'll enjoy this book.
I gave the book an extra half-star for how relatable the main character is to me and the fact that we share the same opinion on the word "oriental."
I don't feel fair criticizing the things I want to be critical about in this book because most of them are staples of cozy mystery books. I don't want to sound like I'm shaming people for liking the things that these books are known for.
So, I'll just leave my short and simple thoughts right here: as cute and relatable as this book was, I unfortunately don't think it was for me. It followed what I perceived to be the usual cozy mystery formula with all of the usual cliches and tropes you can expect. There's nothing in this book that surprises or shakes things up. I think the main thing that makes it stand out is the ethnic cast, setting, and theme of its conflict. But there's nothing wrong with that! This is a funny, light-hearted, and easy read, and if that's what you're looking for, you'll enjoy this book.
I gave the book an extra half-star for how relatable the main character is to me and the fact that we share the same opinion on the word "oriental."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Racism
The "racism" content warning is very minor. It's mostly "comments that are made by an ignorant person that aren't meant to be hostile."mlwe's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
My Review:
While the story follows twenty-seven-year-old Lana's experiences working for her parents and investigating a murder within her community, the plot feels like a high schooler's representation of "being an adult." The story is extremely slow-paced, and the author often over-explains the characters' habits, preferences, and opinions. The plot was not predictable, but it was difficult to invest myself in the characters.
I did enjoy the variety of characters and various stages of assimilation between the immigrant parents and first-generation children. Towards the end of the novel, the pace picks up, and as Lana races to name the murderer, the excessive commentary is replaced by witty puns and misdirects. The latter half of the novel is a great read!
While the story follows twenty-seven-year-old Lana's experiences working for her parents and investigating a murder within her community, the plot feels like a high schooler's representation of "being an adult." The story is extremely slow-paced, and the author often over-explains the characters' habits, preferences, and opinions. The plot was not predictable, but it was difficult to invest myself in the characters.
I did enjoy the variety of characters and various stages of assimilation between the immigrant parents and first-generation children. Towards the end of the novel, the pace picks up, and as Lana races to name the murderer, the excessive commentary is replaced by witty puns and misdirects. The latter half of the novel is a great read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Drug use, Medical content, and Racism
ashleycmms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Racism
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