Scan barcode
jessiereads98's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.
The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story would’ve felt more complete, and she would’ve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.
Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. There’s metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isn’t enough to make the entire book off-putting.
Graphic: Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexism
ashbreadin's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Death, and Child death
Moderate: War, Torture, Murder, Homophobia, Drug use, Violence, Alcohol, Suicide, Transphobia, and Death
readsbymoonlight's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Blood, Suicidal thoughts, and Mass/school shootings
jenna2234's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Murder, and Death
Minor: Homophobia
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Death, Mass/school shootings, Colonisation, Gore, Medical content, Murder, War, Genocide, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Homophobia
Moderate: Confinement, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Kidnapping
Minor: Police brutality
linblythe_pub22's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Gun violence and Blood
Moderate: Classism, Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Death, Child death, and Violence
Minor: Colonisation, Cursing, and Alcohol
gretchenplz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
But I believe that this book would have been 100% better had it been half as long. With the way the first book ended, I expected to be able to immediately be pulled back into the world and be unable to put the book down, but that is, unfortunately, not the case.
The book could have started at 60% and I would have been happy. There are too many layers, too many characters, no smooth plot to follow. The fantasy element should have been removed if she truly wanted the significance of the historical happenings to be the focus.
All of the characters are complicated, and borderline unlikeable at times. Their juvenile view of the world is frustrating, and it, I think, is partially why the story gets so bogged down.
I did, however, really appreciate the OG Romeo & Juliet Easter eggs (quotes, scenes , etc.)!
The ending... left a lot to be desired. While we all KNOW how it's going to end, it just felt like, after 500 pages, the author was just... tired of writing? The whole book ended in a literal paragraph?? This is why we need beta readers and editors who offer their honest feedback.
The fantasy elements of this duology were weak and unnecessary. I see the metaphor that the author was going for, but it was underdeveloped and would have been better just removed and reworked so R&J had a different excuse to work together.
Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be picking up another one of Gong's books. Her writing style is just not for me, I fear. She was definitely tried for a Leigh Bardugo/Ninth House style of writing and just did not execute the way Leigh does.
My star rating is a bit soft, because I truly did hate read this entire book and would have DNF'd if it wasn't for a club.
Graphic: Murder and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide
vagorsol's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death and Gun violence
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, and War
Minor: Kidnapping, Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Colonisation, Gun violence, Death, and Emotional abuse
stacyaj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Violence