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steffandbooks's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I have so many thoughts on this.
Half of the book I loved and the other half I was bored to death. Let’s start with the things I enjoyed.
Loved the short chapters and multiple POVs. Loved the love story between Hunter and Luna. Loved how Luna grew over the time span in the book and became her own person. Loved the writing style.
What I didn’t enjoy that there was so much happening and in the end also not. Like, don’t ask me what the plot was supposed to be of this book, I couldn’t tell you. Then so many things left unexplained and some rather questionable topics being mentioned in the book, but, again not really explained and rather brushed off. As a privileged white woman, I’m the last person to be able to talk about Chinese history, but I would’ve wished for things to be explained more, especially if you‘re covering topics that are not vastly discussed in the general public or school.
Overall, that left the story all over the place and the ending 🤨
Half of the book I loved and the other half I was bored to death. Let’s start with the things I enjoyed.
Loved the short chapters and multiple POVs. Loved the love story between Hunter and Luna. Loved how Luna grew over the time span in the book and became her own person. Loved the writing style.
What I didn’t enjoy that there was so much happening and in the end also not. Like, don’t ask me what the plot was supposed to be of this book, I couldn’t tell you. Then so many things left unexplained and some rather questionable topics being mentioned in the book, but, again not really explained and rather brushed off. As a privileged white woman, I’m the last person to be able to talk about Chinese history, but I would’ve wished for things to be explained more, especially if you‘re covering topics that are not vastly discussed in the general public or school.
Overall, that left the story all over the place and the ending 🤨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
Cheatingkirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Racism and Violence
whatjasread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
An Arrow to the Moon had a rough start for me. I went into it with very different expectations, thinking it would be high fantasy rather than a simpler magical realism novel. YA novels that focus so much on the MCs going to school don't tend to work so well for me, it's just not what I enjoy reading. However, with the subtle elements of magic and the forbidden friendship-turned-romance element added to it, AATTM was a genuinely great read. Writing wise, the first third was a bit of a struggle for me -- if the whole book had been like the final third, I think this could have been five stars.
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn't shy away from important, difficult topics. They're not presented in an overwhelming or overbearing way, either. There's an argument to be made that it does fall too easily into the stereotype of the strict East Asian parent who is only ever focused on academic achievement and pushing their child to the limit. While it does, the book also pays important attention to political issues such as the Taiwan China conflict (which I'm genuinely intrigued about and will probably go and research more!) It also doesn't shy away from open discussion of periods - blood, cramps and everything in between. It seems like such a minor thing, but it's so important, especially in YA.
The ending was just phenomenal, I think if similar snippets had been woven throughout more than just in the journal, it would have been amazing and added a bit more to the story. I adore all the relationships in this book, particularly between Hunter and his younger brother Cody! There were some storylines which I didn't much care about (Rodney, mostly), but otherwise this book surprised me in a good way!
TWs: asthma attacks, racism, sexism, overbearing parents, strained family relationships, cheating, financial difficulty, child abuse, depression
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn't shy away from important, difficult topics. They're not presented in an overwhelming or overbearing way, either. There's an argument to be made that it does fall too easily into the stereotype of the strict East Asian parent who is only ever focused on academic achievement and pushing their child to the limit. While it does, the book also pays important attention to political issues such as the Taiwan China conflict (which I'm genuinely intrigued about and will probably go and research more!) It also doesn't shy away from open discussion of periods - blood, cramps and everything in between. It seems like such a minor thing, but it's so important, especially in YA.
The ending was just phenomenal, I think if similar snippets had been woven throughout more than just in the journal, it would have been amazing and added a bit more to the story. I adore all the relationships in this book, particularly between Hunter and his younger brother Cody! There were some storylines which I didn't much care about (Rodney, mostly), but otherwise this book surprised me in a good way!
TWs: asthma attacks, racism, sexism, overbearing parents, strained family relationships, cheating, financial difficulty, child abuse, depression
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Bullying, and Child abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Sexism, Torture, and Racism
abookboundgirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Bullying
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
An Arrow to the Moon is a beautiful story that holds up even if you’ve never heard of Romeo and Juliet. In 1990’s America, in a quaint Northeastern town, Luna and Hunter live just a forest apart. When at last they meet, everything changes in a flash of light. As the world around them crumbles, Hunter and Luna are drawn to each other, hiding their bond from their feuding families. Amidst the stress of college applications and difficult family dynamics, their tumble into love feels so natural, like it was destined to happen. Woven with Chinese folklore and magical realism, this gorgeous tale will take your breath away.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Chronic illness
Minor: Torture, Violence, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse
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