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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Genuinely, wtf was that (respectfully). I kept wanting to DNF because I didn't like the pacing and the story was too plot-driven. There were too many POVs and I think it's because the author relied on telling instead of showing.
I really liked this book. The feud between the parents felt a bit too forced to me (but that could be a culture difference), but I really appreciated the build up between Luna and Hunter. Cody was just really cute. I found the cultural things really interesting, it's a community I don't know a lot about (except for some stereotypes), so I loved reading about it. The supernatural aspect at the end was kind of build up, but not enough for my taste, it went from 1 to 100 very, very fast.
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I never had the thought to DNF this but I also didn't enjoy it. It just kind of existed as sound, and was very boring.
It began cute, then really devolved into a lot of mystical ideas that were never truly explained- even in the last 15 minutes of the book nothing made any sense to me.
I am a LITTLE familiar withthe legend of the moon and the sun archer (i will not try to spell their Chinese names) and recognized the references pretty fast. It didnt seem to fit well with a YA theme, nor play well with the plot in general for teenagers in the 80s? It was a nonsensical combination executed poorly, in my opinion. Romeo and Juliet would have been enough of a retelling/inspiration.
It began cute, then really devolved into a lot of mystical ideas that were never truly explained- even in the last 15 minutes of the book nothing made any sense to me.
I am a LITTLE familiar with
This started off cute in the first 150-ish pages, but it was clear from that point that the book was going to be too long for what it is. There are so many elements that were present that I don't really understand. I don't know if they just went over my head? But I think this would have been very cute as just a short love story. Though, the ending was... Something?
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
This is interesting. There’s some gorgeous writing and feeling. But there’s also… I think the mix of modern YA and myth didn’t work as well for me as her last book.
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a bad book in of itself, but disappointing after her debut. As someone who’s familiar with both the story of Romeo and Juliet and the story of Chang’e and Houyi, I felt all of the allusions to the orignal myths were almost too on the nose. (I mean, their names are literally Luna and Hunter, with a rabbit named Jadey.)
Also the fact that everyone just…forgot everything at the end? Isn’t the point of those stories to be remembered and told? Cody remembers, but there’s no point if the parents didn’t also learn a lesson, à la Romeo and Juliet.
The writing was certainly as lyrical and poetic as her first book, and could have been really shone if the story supported it more.
Also the fact that everyone just…forgot everything at the end? Isn’t the point of those stories to be remembered and told? Cody remembers, but there’s no point if the parents didn’t also learn a lesson, à la Romeo and Juliet.
The writing was certainly as lyrical and poetic as her first book, and could have been really shone if the story supported it more.
Not as good as The Astonishing Color of After, where that legitimately made me cry, this was still really good, nonetheless.
Firstly, the lush descriptions and lyrical writing is top notch, as I expected from Pan. Hunter and Luna's romance was really sweet, and their family dynamics were really well explored, as well. The family rivalry was especially interesting, because it was mostly a battle of prejudices, of the Chinese identity versus the Taiwanese identity, and how those beliefs held by both sets of parents severely affect their children. Although I didn't cry, I still was vocal at some points Also, I wasn't sure if the magical realism elements were inside the characters' heads or if it was actually happening
Overall, I really enjoyed this and will continue to eagerly await for any of Pan's future projects.
Firstly, the lush descriptions and lyrical writing is top notch, as I expected from Pan. Hunter and Luna's romance was really sweet, and their family dynamics were really well explored, as well. The family rivalry was especially interesting, because it was mostly a battle of prejudices, of the Chinese identity versus the Taiwanese identity, and how those beliefs held by both sets of parents severely affect their children. Although I didn't cry, I still was vocal at some points
Spoiler
, especially at the last restaurant scene. I legit was crying out, "No, no, no," repeatedly as the disaster unfolded.Spoiler
until the very end when they literally floated up into the night sky, became the moon and stars, and their families, except Cody, forgot about them. I wish there was a little more explanation besides the prologue to all the magicing, but I think Pan's intention was not to give too much away and leave it up to the reader's imagination/interpretation, which I love.Overall, I really enjoyed this and will continue to eagerly await for any of Pan's future projects.