Scan barcode
vcords_'s review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gaslighting, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Drug use, and Classism
Minor: Animal death, Trafficking, Homophobia, Body horror, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
marissasa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I knew this book would hit hard the moment I read the dedication page "For the hyphenated" and realized it meant to all the Filipino-Americans, children of immigrants like myself, but wow did this story break my heart on a deep level. The portrayal of family in this book is so damn accurate, from the way adult family members dance around talking about uncomfortable topics to the way that Jay's cousins interacted with him. The characterization felt so realistic with Tito Maning's machismo and his Marcos apologist beliefs, Tita Chato and her partner, Jay's Lolo and Lola, and the (absolutely hilarious) fact that Grace met her girlfriend online through a Yuri on Ice fan forum. I loved the use of letters from Jun as a way for us to learn more about the memory of him that Jay had and nothing compared to the emotional payoff towards the end when Jay reads out loud his final letter to Jun that he never got to send. I love that this book doesn't shy away from the reality of drug usage in the Philippines and reiterates that those who use or push aren't any less deserving of their lives because of it, that it calls out the corruption of the Philippine government but understands the valid reasons more people experiencing it don't speak out about it, and that it hits home the message of "none of us is one thing." I want every Fil-Am to read this book because I truly think there is so much to identify with in Jay and that so much of his story, although maybe not along the exact same lines, resonates with Fil-Am identity and with navigating the line between the two countries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Addiction, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Classism, Cursing, Animal death, Murder, and Death
meow_gal's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I really loved this book. I related a lot to jay and his experience with language because omg do I have terrible tagalog skills. I really love jay as a mc because 1) he’s very relatable 2) he’s not like some other dumb mc 3) he acknowledged he was wrong when he was wrong. I liked how instead of saying jun was innocent and didn’t do drugs they accepted the fact while he had flaws and and started using and selling it doesn’t change the good he did. I think this book did well talking about the issues in the Philippines especially about the drug war and it’s effects on the people. It’s also nice to see more contemporary books with Filipino mc’s have lgbtq+ side characters and this book did shine light on homophobia in the Philippines. I saw that most with Tito Manning’s logic with jun. overall it had a nice storyline and mystery plot. Really hit home with me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Rape
Minor: Colonisation and Lesbophobia
More...