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lupine_lady18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
ametakinetos's review against another edition
3.0
While I respect Gong's attention to historical events and dedication to capturing the intense complexity of multiple groups competing for a single city...
Perhaps I am not old enough to appreciate it, because I longed for more of the wit, science fiction, and star-crossed romance that hallmarked the first installment.
That being said, these characters are dear to me and I long for more time in their presence. It still stands as a brilliant reimagining of the classic story and offered incredible escapism. I can't fault the attempt, nor deny the impact.
Perhaps I am not old enough to appreciate it, because I longed for more of the wit, science fiction, and star-crossed romance that hallmarked the first installment.
That being said, these characters are dear to me and I long for more time in their presence. It still stands as a brilliant reimagining of the classic story and offered incredible escapism. I can't fault the attempt, nor deny the impact.
bookish_scientist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
emath98's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
starfleckedsoul's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this at around 11:57 last night. The whole day that I've been reading, I was on edge. I honestly don't know how to make this review coherent, so let's see how this goes.
Of course, Chloe Gong's writing has never failed to amaze me. In fact, it's her writing structure that made this book so climactic at every freaking turn. It's her writing that gave me, despite that ending, a good closure.
I'm honestly not in the right state of mind to make this review longer, but here's something I realized last night. Great authors don't insert character deaths just to give the story a flair, or some kind of twist. They don't write simply to impress the readers, or attend to their wishes for the characters. No, they write what is best and true to the story. Chloe wasn't afraid to do that. I'm devastated, truly. Juliette and Roma died so gruesomely, they never got to see and experience a lot of the things that they deserved. But there really couldn't have been anything else they could've done. It was what needed to be sacrificed. And I understand that. I feel like the whole time I dreaded it, I expected it, and I was just in denial. But I let myself hope too much. Anyways, Chloe is just amazing. I couldn't be any more grateful and honored that I got to read this duology.
BRB, I need an indefinite amount of time to recover.
Of course, Chloe Gong's writing has never failed to amaze me. In fact, it's her writing structure that made this book so climactic at every freaking turn. It's her writing that gave me, despite that ending, a good closure.
I'm honestly not in the right state of mind to make this review longer, but here's something I realized last night. Great authors don't insert character deaths just to give the story a flair, or some kind of twist. They don't write simply to impress the readers, or attend to their wishes for the characters. No, they write what is best and true to the story. Chloe wasn't afraid to do that. I'm devastated, truly. Juliette and Roma died so gruesomely, they never got to see and experience a lot of the things that they deserved. But there really couldn't have been anything else they could've done. It was what needed to be sacrificed. And I understand that. I feel like the whole time I dreaded it, I expected it, and I was just in denial. But I let myself hope too much. Anyways, Chloe is just amazing. I couldn't be any more grateful and honored that I got to read this duology.
BRB, I need an indefinite amount of time to recover.
grace_muriithi's review against another edition
5.0
OKAY I WAS SKEPTICAL AFTER THE FIRST BOOK but this book was REALLY GOOD
I absolutely adored how beautifully the writing flowed and that there was a lot more angst and push-and-pull between the characters, their family ties, and the decisions they had to make. Again, this is so much more than just a Romeo and Juliet retelling, and I absolutely love it for that reason. (Fair warning, though, that doesn't make it an easy read!) For a debut duology, this was such an entertaining read and I cannot wait to read more of Chloe Gong's books in the future!
I absolutely adored how beautifully the writing flowed and that there was a lot more angst and push-and-pull between the characters, their family ties, and the decisions they had to make. Again, this is so much more than just a Romeo and Juliet retelling, and I absolutely love it for that reason. (Fair warning, though, that doesn't make it an easy read!) For a debut duology, this was such an entertaining read and I cannot wait to read more of Chloe Gong's books in the future!
shebookmarks's review against another edition
Her holding out a pinkie finger to make a promise.
"What if I don't want this one?" As he touches her ring finger,
"What If I want this one?"
"What if I don't want this one?" As he touches her ring finger,
"What If I want this one?"
ididsomereading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25