Scan barcode
kimveach's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This dystopian novel will have you contemplating many ideas: race, class, patriotism used as a weapon, and the history of children being taken from their parents in the United States. I found the book to be slower than her previous books due to the storyline only focusing on a few people. The writing is stunning. While I normally prefer books that are more about the plot, I did like this character-centered book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Blood, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Police brutality, Bullying, and Classism
deckledlens's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
The author distributed advance reader copies at a conference I attended. I had never read a book by Celeste Ng, but her speech was so interesting that I had to investigate her writing. I loved every minute of this book—even when it broke my heart, even when it hit too close to home.
In the book, government legislation is enacted to limit the spread of “un-American ideals.” Shocker: that turns into legal racism and nationalism. As upsetting as this content was, it is also deeply important to what this nation faces. It asks these policies: do you care for the nation or do you care for its people? (Those two things are not the same.)
A great read, and a great adventure into not-so-speculative fiction for Ng.
In the book, government legislation is enacted to limit the spread of “un-American ideals.” Shocker: that turns into legal racism and nationalism. As upsetting as this content was, it is also deeply important to what this nation faces. It asks these policies: do you care for the nation or do you care for its people? (Those two things are not the same.)
A great read, and a great adventure into not-so-speculative fiction for Ng.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
More...