Reviews

Angel & Hannah: A Novel in Verse by Ishle Yi Park

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megsbecerra's review

4.0

Beautifully heartbreaking

Angel & Hannah by Ishle Yi Park is a loose retelling of Romeo and Juliet in vibrant poetic verse. The story follows Hannah, a Korean-American girl from the Bronx and Angel, a Puerto Rican boy from Brooklyn who quickly begin an intense relationship. The sense of place is stunning and gorgeous, set in early 1990s New York. The story largely takes place in Angel’s world. I loved being immersed in Angel’s Brooklyn neighborhood with his family and neighbors, though I wish we could have also gotten to know Hannah’s family and background better. The story becomes heavier and more ominous as Angel and Hannah struggle with their sometimes very bleak circumstances as teenagers and their seemingly doomed relationship. Overall a very affecting, beautiful story told in verse.

Thank you Random House / One World and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

carmendolina's review

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3.0

2.5

beamae's review

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kimiloughlin's review

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4.0

I enjoyed this a lot but I know I would have enjoyed it a lot more in audiobook format! Written in verse and with piercing language, this book screams to be read out loud. Park weaves a gorgeous story of two kids from different backgrounds who find each other for a passionate and doomed relationship. I almost wish it was a little longer because by the time I was so engrossed in the poetry, it ended. Great for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and for those that want to read something short and sweet and a little different.

jennderqueer's review

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3.0

I was disappointed in this book. It was good - a Romeo & Juliet retelling in verse - but it was supposed to be set in the 90s and you couldn't tell, and a lot of details were lost or jumbled in the poetic narrative. Overall it was okay.