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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I was so afraid the alternating viewpoints would be a jarring experience, but Janie Chang and Kate Quinn melded their work together seamlessly!
It took me a while to feel invested in the story. I didn't feel compelled to keep going until I was about 30% of the way in. I do wish the book had wrapped right after the earthquake instead of having a time skip. That slowed the plot down a bit.
I do love the friendship that developed between the central characters in the story. I enjoyed seeing them fight through the calamity of the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake and come out stronger, with more developed personalities, and a deeper bond between the four of them.
My favourite part of the book happened when Gemma got what she wished for. She begged Thornton to buy her a role and assumed it would make her happy until she saw the consequences of her request. Instead of berating Gemma for being shallow, I found that to be a relatable character flaw. Who doesn't wish for the easy way out after a series of difficulties until you realize the consequences can be even worse than the situation you're trying to get out of.
I took off one star for the slow start and the unnecessary (to me) time skip, but overall I enjoyed it!
It took me a while to feel invested in the story. I didn't feel compelled to keep going until I was about 30% of the way in. I do wish the book had wrapped right after the earthquake instead of having a time skip. That slowed the plot down a bit.
I do love the friendship that developed between the central characters in the story. I enjoyed seeing them fight through the calamity of the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake and come out stronger, with more developed personalities, and a deeper bond between the four of them.
My favourite part of the book happened when Gemma got what she wished for. She begged Thornton to buy her a role and assumed it would make her happy until she saw the consequences of her request. Instead of berating Gemma for being shallow, I found that to be a relatable character flaw. Who doesn't wish for the easy way out after a series of difficulties until you realize the consequences can be even worse than the situation you're trying to get out of.
I took off one star for the slow start and the unnecessary (to me) time skip, but overall I enjoyed it!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder
Minor: Gun violence
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Dysphoria, Classism
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
informative
inspiring
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:
Complicated