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notsobinaryart's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Homophobia
clarabooksit'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
4.75
I loved this slow, easy story about the unfairness of life, the necessity of hope, and the importance of connection. There’s a small plot but what moves this story are the characters.
I loved Kai’s disillusionment and complete inability to back down or give up on dragons when he’s essentially given up on himself. And Eli’s contemplation of place and self, his grief and languid discovery are near perfect. They’re both persistent and stubborn in pursuing what’s right and good, but in very different ways. Kai is all heat and Eli is stone.
The writing is equally gorgeous. From page one, I was hooked on the world-building that lovingly painted Beijing in all its flaws and light. The way Zhang wove mythology and dragons seamlessly into a modern world is stunning and there are so many threads that build and build.
It’s only 142 pages but I lived in those pages for a few hours yesterday. I couldn’t put it down.
It’s immersive, contemplative, full of warmth and life, and a little sad but in away that’s heartfelt and feels right. In a word, it’s lovely.
This book is everything I love in storytelling. I adored it. Please go read it.
Graphic: Terminal illness and Chronic illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Grief, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Police brutality
archcon'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
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness and Chronic illness
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide attempt
Minor: Suicide attempt, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Medical content, and Sexual content
buttermellow's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Homophobia and Animal cruelty
jessereadsthings's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
szuum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Homophobia and Suicidal thoughts
montereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Chronic illness, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Homophobia