Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

20 reviews

momloves2read's review

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emotional informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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elizabeth_juliet's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

A beautiful slice of life about the trials and tribulations of a Chinese-American young woman in 1890s Atlanta

Jo Kuan was a wonderfully written character! Formerly a hat maker but laid off because of her race, Jo pseudonymously publishes a column in the local newspaper challenging the fixed Southern ideals about gender and race, while simultaneously working as a maid for a wealthy Atlanta family. 

Unsure about her past, Jo’s journey to discover who her parents are and what their story is gets her tangled up with a notorious criminal  and engulfed in society drama. Stacey Lee weaves a wonderful story about finding one’s roots, challenging stereotypes, and fighting prejudice.

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sadiegenene25's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0


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ashcad's review

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adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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takeaim's review

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad tense 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? No

4.0

You'll find yourself rooting for Jo Kuan, a Chinese-American teen orphan living in 1890s Atlanta. The daily cruelty and injustice of Jo's life is heartbreaking, but she refuses to break. Writing anonymously as Miss Sweetie, a newspaper advice columnist, Jo shakes up the status quo of a society made up of the haves, have-nots and the never-will-haves. The backlash jeopardizes Jo's carefully protected existence, but being Miss Sweetie could also answer her one question: What happened to her parents?

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korpney's review

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funny informative inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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ko_rax's review

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funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75


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bandysbooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • 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

This is the story of a young Chinese woman trying to find her place in the early 1900s South. She must deal with racism, not fitting in, financial struggles, and familial struggles while trying to figure out who she is and what she wants from life. 

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hannahryan08's review

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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zombiezami's review against another edition

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4.25

I loved this book! The voice of the protagonist Jo was truly endearing, and I loved the twists and turns of the narrative. Also, it's rare to see books about Asian Americans' presence in the South. 

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