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brandon_1800's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
cloudyfields's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
4.5
chroniclesofvea's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
valsometimesreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Really solid YA novel that explores Filipino-American identity as well as Duterte’s war on drugs
thelibrarian390's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely an interesting read that would pair well with a lesson about current Philippine politics. You sort of hate J, the main character because he is so... lackadaisical and not quite self-absorbed but a little. It definitely gave me more insight into the upbringing of a friend of mine that is part Philipino and why her mom was a giant jerk. It's a necessary voice in literature. I cannot think of many Philipino reads, especially for teenagers.
finn_w's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
5.0
This hit close to home as my heritage has a lot of similarities with Filipino culture and the Philippines as a whole. I related heavily with being an outsider in a culture that is your own but not your own at the same time and trying to navigate what/how/how much you can criticize. When people told Jay he had no right since he doesn't understand and that he's looking at it from a very America lens, it reminded me of things my mom has said to me.
This made me cry.
I loved this book, and I will read more from this author. It is heavy in many ways so def check trigger/content warnings.
This made me cry.
I loved this book, and I will read more from this author. It is heavy in many ways so def check trigger/content warnings.
Moderate: Colonisation, Classism, Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Death, Drug use, Grief, and Mental illness
alexan13's review against another edition
5.0
Easily one of the best books I've read all year. Floored.
cheskasshi's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0