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jencolumb0's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was surprisingly engaging. Xavier seemed more interesting than Sophie in Loveboat Taipei but I certainly did not think about either of them, “oh, I wonder what happens next”.
This might be one of the only times, ever, that I’ve said this, but I’m glad I’m not the one in charge in that realm and that this book came to fruition. I am a sucker for the reluctant prince trope and I do love a good female, coming-of-age story in which she learns that she can be multi-dimensional and that traditionally feminine arenas are actually very powerful, despite the running, contrary narrative of the patriarchy. See, Greta Gerwig and Barbie, et al. Accordingly, I found this book to be surprisingly engaging and a fun read.
That said, I acknowledge that some of my glee over those elements and understanding that it’s a YA book causes me to look the other way about the lack of subtlety around some of the other elements in the book. I do, however, commend Ms. Wen for managing a story arc focused on twin goals without language that makes the whole thing feel dogged. I never thought to myself “yes yes the trust” or “yes yes the mirror”, then scanned ahead a page or two, looking for even the topic changes to something new. See, Spanish Love Deception & the never- ending discussion of dude’s blue eyes and her chest feeling like it’s getting mangled . . . I digress.
The other thing that surprised me about this book was the level of physical abuse to which Xavier was subjected on-page. Ms. Wen challenges this and makes the plot line work, but it struck me as an unusual element for this type of book/sub-genre.
This might be one of the only times, ever, that I’ve said this, but I’m glad I’m not the one in charge in that realm and that this book came to fruition. I am a sucker for the reluctant prince trope and I do love a good female, coming-of-age story in which she learns that she can be multi-dimensional and that traditionally feminine arenas are actually very powerful, despite the running, contrary narrative of the patriarchy. See, Greta Gerwig and Barbie, et al. Accordingly, I found this book to be surprisingly engaging and a fun read.
That said, I acknowledge that some of my glee over those elements and understanding that it’s a YA book causes me to look the other way about the lack of subtlety around some of the other elements in the book. I do, however, commend Ms. Wen for managing a story arc focused on twin goals without language that makes the whole thing feel dogged. I never thought to myself “yes yes the trust” or “yes yes the mirror”, then scanned ahead a page or two, looking for even the topic changes to something new. See, Spanish Love Deception & the never- ending discussion of dude’s blue eyes and her chest feeling like it’s getting mangled . . . I digress.
The other thing that surprised me about this book was the level of physical abuse to which Xavier was subjected on-page. Ms. Wen challenges this and makes the plot line work, but it struck me as an unusual element for this type of book/sub-genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Medical content, Bullying, Death of parent, and Ableism
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Misogyny, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity
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