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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
The book introduces itself as 'Romeo and Juliet meets the story of Chang'e and Houyi'. I loved this premise, the brilliant mixing of a classic and a folktale from two different cultures and languages.
The book has a slow pace with short chapters from many perspectives. The more I read, the more eager I found myself to know how the story would unfold. To be honest, sometimes I felt like it was too slow for my liking and a bit repetitive. But I loved reading it nonetheless.
The characters are what I loved the most! Luna, Hunter and Cody, you have my heart!
The book has a slow pace with short chapters from many perspectives. The more I read, the more eager I found myself to know how the story would unfold. To be honest, sometimes I felt like it was too slow for my liking and a bit repetitive. But I loved reading it nonetheless.
The characters are what I loved the most! Luna, Hunter and Cody, you have my heart!
I had some high expectations with this book but I don't really think they were met. Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed the book but I was expecting more from it.
I think the multiple POV's are what threw me off from fully enjoying this book. The format could have been different and I think it would have worked better. The switching of each character jumbled up the story for me and left me feeling confused at times.
I did enjoy Luna and Hunter's relationship and how they both helped each other grow as people and as characters. Cory was adorable but I feel sad knowing that he will be the only one who remembers his brother. The parents, however, annoyed me to no end. Their rivalry felt unnecessary and silly so much so that it just annoyed me. Once again another issue of things would have been made easier if both parties just sat down ask talked.
I think the multiple POV's are what threw me off from fully enjoying this book. The format could have been different and I think it would have worked better. The switching of each character jumbled up the story for me and left me feeling confused at times.
I did enjoy Luna and Hunter's relationship and how they both helped each other grow as people and as characters. Cory was adorable but I feel sad knowing that he will be the only one who remembers his brother. The parents, however, annoyed me to no end. Their rivalry felt unnecessary and silly so much so that it just annoyed me. Once again another issue of things would have been made easier if both parties just sat down ask talked.
3.5 stars
rep: Taiwanese-American protagonists and side characters; (Taiwanese-American author)
cw: parental abuse (emotional, physical)
the ending was the best part...the prose was good but it also read the same for every different point-of-view. there's nothing wrong with that, but combined with the short, constantly pov-changing chapters, I was confused at times and not interested at others. I still liked the beginning and the ending but the ending kinda dragged.
rep: Taiwanese-American protagonists and side characters; (Taiwanese-American author)
cw: parental abuse (emotional, physical)
the ending was the best part...the prose was good but it also read the same for every different point-of-view. there's nothing wrong with that, but combined with the short, constantly pov-changing chapters, I was confused at times and not interested at others. I still liked the beginning and the ending but the ending kinda dragged.
ARC copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way changes my rating or review.
4 MYSTICAL STARS
Three Minute Thoughts:
What a stunning book. An Arrow to the Moon was everything I expected, with Emily X.R. Pan’s gorgeous, enchanting, lyrical writing, combined with a splendid twist on the mythological Chinese tale of Houyi and Chang’e, and beautiful Romeo & Juliet vibes sprinkled through. Separate to the fantasy storyline were important messages on family and filial piety, and the depths that people will go to protect their loved ones. Such a bewitching novel!
The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
Emily X.R. Pan’s writing is like a poem. It’s lyrical and flows so beautifully, and is occasionally a little confusing, but always manages to capture my heart.
“Once upon a time… There was a girl who lived on the moon as its guardian. She was its heart and its breath.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
An Arrow to the Moon had a variety of changing POVs and short chapters, which – once you get into the rhythm of Pan’s writing – is so captivating, and caused me to fly through this book in like two sittings. And somehow, despite the consistently changing character POVs, all the characters have such unique and realistic personalities, it’s incredible! I found it so easy to relate to both Hunter and Luna, both with the familial pressure placed upon both, and with the difficulties they faced in just trying to discover themselves and each other.
“But what she feared wasn’t sitting still. It was the possibility that she would spin so far in the wrong direction she’d fall off the map and lose sight of herself.
It was the question of whether she would ever become who she was meant to be.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
In addition, the stunning Chinese mythology woven into the ever-iconic Romeo & Juliet storyline was so well written, and it really added an enrapturing twist to the book. The ending was both expected and not, and I definitely need to read more books based upon this mythological tale, because it was gorgeous.
I’m so glad I read this, it was stunning! Thank you so much to the author, publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours for the ARC copy provided!
4 MYSTICAL STARS
Three Minute Thoughts:
What a stunning book. An Arrow to the Moon was everything I expected, with Emily X.R. Pan’s gorgeous, enchanting, lyrical writing, combined with a splendid twist on the mythological Chinese tale of Houyi and Chang’e, and beautiful Romeo & Juliet vibes sprinkled through. Separate to the fantasy storyline were important messages on family and filial piety, and the depths that people will go to protect their loved ones. Such a bewitching novel!
The Extended, Long, and Very-Probably-Messy Review:
Emily X.R. Pan’s writing is like a poem. It’s lyrical and flows so beautifully, and is occasionally a little confusing, but always manages to capture my heart.
“Once upon a time… There was a girl who lived on the moon as its guardian. She was its heart and its breath.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
An Arrow to the Moon had a variety of changing POVs and short chapters, which – once you get into the rhythm of Pan’s writing – is so captivating, and caused me to fly through this book in like two sittings. And somehow, despite the consistently changing character POVs, all the characters have such unique and realistic personalities, it’s incredible! I found it so easy to relate to both Hunter and Luna, both with the familial pressure placed upon both, and with the difficulties they faced in just trying to discover themselves and each other.
“But what she feared wasn’t sitting still. It was the possibility that she would spin so far in the wrong direction she’d fall off the map and lose sight of herself.
It was the question of whether she would ever become who she was meant to be.”
(This quote may not be in the published version of this novel, it was copied from the advanced reader’s copy.)
In addition, the stunning Chinese mythology woven into the ever-iconic Romeo & Juliet storyline was so well written, and it really added an enrapturing twist to the book. The ending was both expected and not, and I definitely need to read more books based upon this mythological tale, because it was gorgeous.
I’m so glad I read this, it was stunning! Thank you so much to the author, publisher and TBR & Beyond Tours for the ARC copy provided!
Starts out so magical and lovely, but the ending is much too fast and abrupt.
