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lucyrudd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Death and Racism
sunlit_music's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
What I loved:
- The delicious, amazing descriptions of Vietnamese food in America! Don't read this if you're hungry, otherwise the book will make you hungrier.
- The author weaving facts on Vietnamese culture and social etiquette seamlessly into the story.
- Bao and Linh make a really sweet couple. They're awkward, gentle and kind to each other.
- Bao and Linh have healthy friendships, and Linh has a supportive art teacher.
- The diversity!! So many characters are BIPOC.
- The author talks about family trauma from the Vietnam War sensitively, with grace and understanding.
- This book also tackles the issue of racism thoughtfully and assertively, which I like.
- The fact that there's a nuanced portrayal of diaspora families - it's not "my family is wonderful and agrees with everything I say" or "my family is completely awful" (although both portrayals happen in real life and are valid too). Linh loves her family, and they love her, but they have unhealthy expectations of her working for the family business instead of pursuing her passion. But things do work out in the end, and Linh's parents do end up respecting her wishes. :)
Cons:
- there's only minor cons I think. The book does move at a slow pace, which should be fine if you like character dense books. This book has great characterisation for sure. I found Linh and Bao way more interesting than their friends. But those are small complaints, and they don't detract from the book much.
Anyway, check this book out if you like reading gentle, kind YA romances and stories that tackle family trauma and racism sensitively. :)
Minor: Death and Grief
vyxbui's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, and War
libraryghost's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Grief
Moderate: Death, Racism, and War
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, War, and Classism
aqtbenz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Death, Racism, and War
tojtwl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
But even in the midst of its lightheartedness, there is a degree of sadness when you read about why the rival families are indeed rivals.
Moderate: Death
rachelizx's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
ellamycroft's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death, Sexism, and War
zoepagereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death and Grief