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_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
The book had an interesting premise and Ruying's character as a concept could've been interesting, too, but the execution wasn't even middling at best. The writing was clunky, repetitive, and languid despite Chang's efforts to give it lyrical vigor and the pacing was stagnant. So many chunks of this book were just long expository dialogue chapters, and other multiple telling not showing paragraphs to the point I got increasingly unmotivated to pick up reading it again from when I left off. I also think the romantic angle from the Antony and Ruying relationship was unnecessary and the time spent on that could've been used on much needed actual character development shown on page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Death, Addiction, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Terminal illness
kbairbooks's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this book but at almost 60% I just couldn’t continue. I didn’t like any of the characters, the book was 75% inner dialogue and the rest actual things happening, I was bored, and found myself just trying to slug through it. I found this book to be affecting my mood anytime I read it and I wasn’t looking forward to picking it up. Im calling it quits with the hopeful thought that it will find the readers it’s meant for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Terminal illness, Misogyny, Murder, Torture, Classism, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Gun violence, Addiction, Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail
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