Reviews - Others Were Emeralds

167 reviews for:

Others Were Emeralds

Lang Leav

3.88 AVERAGE

vani_in_wonderland_'s review against another edition

4.0

emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kenziekim's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 I will always pick up cambodian diaspora stories! authentic writing and characters, intriguing plot that kept me reading. wasn’t a story that stuck with me afterwards, but I enjoyed the experience

kirbyjones19's review against another edition

3.75

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

fatsss's review against another edition

4.75

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cass_reads123's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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: Yes

gracelozier's review against another edition

5.0

Leav had me from page 1 with her lyrical writing and tenderness with her characters. The book starts with two of the characters, Ai and Tin, talking about how The Sound of Music is a blend of documentary and fiction. This book clearly has that same blend, which made me feel like I was reading a memoir. Ai’s narration throughout the story felt so genuine to a girl in her late teens and early twenties that it felt like I was reading a diary. This book handles a lot of sensitive topics with care and honesty. The struggles Ai goes through, from the cliquey nonsense every high school girl experiences to the targeted racism she and her friends and family experienced, are all portrayed vividly. However, even with some heavier topics, this book remained hopeful.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and would truly recommend it to anyone. At under 300 pages, it’s a shorter book, and I think it will resonate with everyone who reads it. For a more detailed review, check out my website!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.