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lim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Infidelity, and Classism
Minor: Car accident, Sexual content, Murder, and Abortion
scifi_rat's review
Moderate: Infidelity and Alcohol
Minor: Abortion, Classism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Drug use, Homophobia, War, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Violence
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
2.25
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Classism, Death, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
lindsayerin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Abortion, Infidelity, and Racism
kodiex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, Car accident, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Minor: Violence, Sexual content, and War
casmith512's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Car accident and Abortion
Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, Classism, Drug use, and Infidelity
Minor: Deportation
marleywrites's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was often left hoping for more of Jordan’s story, and was instead getting Daisy’s, which I didn’t care for much but again, what else could I expect in a retelling? I thought Jordan was well written, a complex and intelligent character. I wish we had spent more time with her backstory. I felt she was often too forgiving of Daisy, but I suppose that’s the point- everyone loves Daisy.
Things I liked about the novel include the queer representation, the way they were all interconnected (read: sleeping with) to each other, and the description of the parties & outfits, and the magic.
I wish we could see more of Jordan on the cover. I wish I could have seen her in her outfit choices. I loved reading about them.
Overall, I rated this book a 3.5/5. I wish the relationship with Kai had been more explored, and I wish I had gotten a better description of the magic Jordan and others can reform. It felt like an area that could have been expanded upon. The book was a bit slow, but the vibes were great so it was alright. I listened to this story on audiobook and it kept me engaged.
Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Infidelity, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abortion, and Racism
Minor: Suicide and Gun violence
Racism is from external sources as well as internalized.shoohoob's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Car accident, Infidelity, Alcohol, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Racism, and Death
leanne_miron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Xenophobia, Car accident, Sexual content, Abortion, and Racism
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Murder, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Kidnapping
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
as many others have stated in their reviews, i didn’t fully enjoy the magical elements. i think this was due to a lack of proper world-building at the outset. after immersing myself in one version of Gatsby so many times, i wasn’t keen on blindly accepting the, at some points, poorly explained magic systems. however, the magic was sooooo cool and i wish these systems and histories would have been fleshed out so i could have bought into them with more enthusiasm.
the writing style, the pacing, the hopeful (yearning) conclusion were all extremely reminiscent of Fitzgerald’s original work, and Vo’s unique perspective on immigration, Vietnamese culture and community, and womanhood make this work really stand out. a very interesting book that certainly won’t be for everyone but definitely holds its own in comparison to other Gatsby retellings.
Graphic: Blood, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Death
Moderate: Car accident, Classism, Drug use, Infidelity, Xenophobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic friendship, Murder, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts