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beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Trafficking, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping, Racism, and Xenophobia
The MC is a refugee from the Vietnam War, and the novel takes place in 1981, with flashbacks to her previous life in Vietnam with her family and her escape by boat. Strong war themes and post-traumatic stress symptoms.manicuredreader's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Incredibly moving, difficult, and hopeful. I had to triple check that what I had just read was really marked as young adult. I will be picking more from this author across every age demographic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Rape
zinelib's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Hằng, an 18-year-old Viet Nam war orphan has endured hunger, pain, and loss to get to Texas to rescue her brother who was kidnapped years ago from her very arms. She is single-minded in her purpose, with no patience for her uncle's effort to legally adopt 11-year-old Linh. The universe, in the form of an elderly couple at a rest stop, connects Hằng with would-be cowboy LeeRoy, whose greatest desire is to stay on a bucking bronco for more than 8 seconds.
No one in this story gets their exact wish, and there are some politically troubling elements, but in the end, everyone gets what they need.
No one in this story gets their exact wish, and there are some politically troubling elements, but in the end, everyone gets what they need.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Body horror
plumpaperbacks's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’d never heard of Butterfly Yellow until I found it on my library’s YA new arrivals display. I picked it up impulsively because it sounded like an interesting read, and I’m glad I did. Although I neither warmed to the characters nor became invested in the story until the second half, Lai’s novel is a raw, emotional story, unlike any I’ve read before. I was convinced this would be a 3-star read for most of the book, but the last third had enough of an impact on me to make me change my mind. The final chapters were sweet and I honestly don’t think any other ending would’ve been as good. This is a quick read, and one that definitely deserves more attention. I recommend it to all who can handle its content.
Representation
Representation
- Vietnamese protagonist and side character
- Black side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Minor: Body horror
I’m not sure if body horror is the right term, but it’s the best I could come up with. It’s very minor, mainly present in the last third of the book if at all. The book also contains discussion of war and brief mentions of depression.
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