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literaryinluv's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Colonisation
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Racism
kassidyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Colonisation, and Death of parent
brianna_moye'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
4.0
Minor: Alcohol, Colonisation, Grief, and Cultural appropriation
christinesreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Colonisation
imds'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
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death of parent, Grief, Cancer, and Colonisation
Minor: Racism
hmetwade's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, and Racism
amberinpieces'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
4.25
Moderate: Colonisation and Cursing
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, and Grief
frantically's review
- 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
4.5
This story seems simple — 5 Chinese-American college students, 5 zodiac heads to be retrieved. But it is so much more than that. It's about immigration, family, love and the loss of it, complicated sibling relationships and just not knowing where your life is supposed to end up. I could find myself so much in this book, it was so raw and real.
The character relationships were so interesting, especially how each of them had different and established relationships and intercations with the other members of the crew. They're all multifaceted and you can really see that come through in those scenes and that's what makes them seem so much like real people.
I really appreciated the constant mentions of Chinese proverbs and the small differences in meaning that sentences can have in English & Chinese, that was so interesting. I've been trying to get into Asian history for some time but I've been really struggling to find an in (I'm not one for biggg, long, overview books, give me one single aspect please) and I think the Summer Palace is the one! Its history in the past and its status right now really intrigues me.
Would definitely recommend if you also love criticising museums and your own academic field. Academia is a scam but I firmly believe we can change it.
Okay, now, why wasn't this 5 stars? Don't get me wrong: people know me as someone who hates, basically can't read anything, that has a sad ending but this one was just too perfect for me. I loved how much they messed up in the book, how un-perfect this heist was and maybe I'm just a hater of historical institutions at my form but I'm not able to dispense reality enough to believe this ending.
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Racism, and Grief
Minor: War
tkhenry99's review against another edition
4.0
irene was such a bitch to alex for literally no reason. she hates all of will’s exes and for what? bc he’s a bastard? seems like she should’ve had something against him instead.
not sure why the author chose to include covid….? it’s going to date the book so much.
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent
bidoofenergy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Colonisation and Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime and Classism