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bergha1998'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
3.75
Fantasy, Dark Romance, Taboo, 1 🔥
Graphic: Xenophobia, War, Violence, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Genocide, Cursing, Death, Grief, Murder, Blood, Alcohol, Classism, Colonisation, Police brutality, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
melissaslibraryy'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
5.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Pandemic/Epidemic, Police brutality, Abandonment, Classism, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Colonisation, Violence, War, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content and Xenophobia
bluelilyleest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
So, I loved it. I get why people say the second book is better than the first, because in terms of character interaction/profiles/development, it did much more. The plot was thicc, the pace was fast but still allowed for funny moments or background information, the setting and atmosphere were immersive.
Then why do I not rate it 5 stars, you ask? I ask myself the same question. I can't quite put my finger on what was lacking, and therefore you probably shouldn't take my review too seriously. It was a great retelling of what we know to be Romeo and Juliet. I think now, whenever Shakespeare's play is mentioned, I will think about Gong's Romeo and Juliet, too, and I believe that is no small feat.
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, War, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Xenophobia and Misogyny
serendipity421's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Classism, Blood, Murder, Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Gun violence, and Grief
Moderate: Torture and Body horror
Minor: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and War
randirush'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
3.0
Moderate: Violence, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Minor: Death
thegreatelise'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
5.0
The writing was amazing, Chloe Gong is incredible, the plot was super interesting and the tension so well displayed.
I love the relationship between the characters but not just the main couple but between every characters.
This duology truly was an adventure.
I don't know why I was not expecting them to die at the end, it is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, of course they would die, but it still somehow surprised me. But I like the fact that it is still a bit blurry wether they are dead or not.
Their improvised wedding got me kicking my feet, Roma's vows?? What a man.
Marshall and Benedikt own my heart, I've been waiting for them to confess for so long and it didn't disappoint.
I love how in love Roma and Juliette are and how they are everything to each other, it made my heart beat so fast, they are my fav book couple for a reason.
When it was near the end and they were trying to escape I almost forgot about the madness until the final scene when the insects came out, because their romance and despair was all I had in my mind.
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Suicide, Classism, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
moonchild_cos'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
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, Violence, Torture, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Confinement, War, Alcohol, Murder, Gore, Genocide, and Colonisation
Minor: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Classism
jessiereads98'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
3.75
Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.
The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story would’ve felt more complete, and she would’ve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.
Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. There’s metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isn’t enough to make the entire book off-putting.
Graphic: Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexism