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luverbyrd'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? It's complicated
5.0
Definitely read the These Violent Delights duology before this so that you can know the callbacks to characters as well as understand certain cameos. It's not "necessary" because there are good summaries to what happened, but you'll enjoy it more and also it spoils the first duology if you don't.
Really enjoyed this one and can't wait for the sequel!
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
angelsfw'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: Gun violence and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and War
bookcaptivated'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? No
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Murder, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Stalking and Gun violence
Minor: War
jessiereads98's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.0
UPDATE: I read the These Violent Delights duology then read this again. It is better after reading that. However, I still feel that the setting and atmosphere in this book are lacking, even in comparison to the These Violent Delights duology. It seemed like Chloe Gong decided that rather than expanding on that, and the changing political climate, she would handwave world-building for this one. The tropeyness irked me less on reread. The characters do still read a little young for what their ages seem to be, but not as harshly as I originally thought. It especially makes sense when these are young people caught up in large, shifting politics and underworlds, and that’s a theme Chloe Gong is clearly exploring in both duologies.
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Colonisation, Drug use, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Death, Grief, Torture, Transphobia, and War
btwnprintedpgs'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: Death, Medical trauma, Blood, Body horror, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Medical content, Torture, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Self harm
Moderate: Murder, Car accident, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Drug use and Kidnapping
rachelelsya's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: War, Violence, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Torture
greymalkin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I found the plot and tracking of who got which info where extremely muddled, which made it hard for the twists and reveals to have much impact because half the time I was thinking "did I not put that together or did the author just not tell me?" which is not very satisfying.
The chemistry between Rosalind and Orion was not the worst but it wasn't exactly compelling either. It was more a "you're very hot" lust than any likemindedness of love or devotion. Which would have been fine except for how the ending hinged so much on his love for Rosalind overcoming his programming. I didn't buy that.
I did enjoy the history and cultural details, especially the bits with "Chinese names" and "Western names" which made the Romeo and Juliet stuff easier to understand.
Though dear god please some editor suggest the author include some other article of clothing for them to wear other than a qipao. There were so many references to it that it got distracting. Even just a few references to an "outfit" or "green fabric" or SOMETHING. Surely that wasn't the only article of clothing ever worn by anyone in that time period in Shanghai?? And if it was, then at least describe them differently? I know the fabrics and cut and embroidery and hand details would make a difference!
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Classism
Minor: War
scrubsandbooks'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
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: War and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Transphobia
theliterarymess'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
If Chloe Gong has 1000 fans then I am one of them. If Chloe Gong has 1 fan then it is me. I Chloe Gong has no fans then I am dead.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Blood
Minor: Medical trauma and Child abuse
mousmoulo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
other than that i enjoyed this book so much AND I'M SO HYPED FOR LAST VIOLENT CALL NOW
miss chloe is officially one of my favourite authors i think >:)
Moderate: Gun violence and Murder
Minor: War
also: injections/syringes