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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
Let’s start with the obvious: what an absolutely stunning cover. Just that cover alone was enough to make me want to read the book, and the fact that it was written by someone who cares my culture as well! Do y’all know how rare it is to find a book that is deeply rooted in culture without erasure, of the horror genre, AND includes queerness as a main theme. With this trilogy, I was sure to love this book but unfortunately that was not the case.
This story is deeply referential to the Vietnamese culture and it felt at times like reading about my family with how relatable it felt. I love how Trang was able to capture our way of life in this story and puts it into words. Her unwillingness to change or not include parts of our culture in a world that wishes all to be black or white is inspiring. My favorite thing about this book is seen through Trang’s love of our culture and it made me so happy to see us represented!
Jade is a deeply complex, Vietnamese teenager with a lot of both daddy AND mommy issues(same) who uses anger as her driving force. I felt compelled by her character throughout the story but by the end, I was scratching my head as to why she behaved in certain ways. People aren’t as predictable as we like to think, and I guess Jade is that.
The horror elements in this book was very intriguing but I wished it was explored further and deeper. By the end of the story, everything felt rushed, and I was struggling to care about the stakes when it all just felt like it didn’t matter. I wished I liked the story more but I just don’t care for it. The relationship between Jade and Florence was interesting but is in desperate need for expansion, as we never know WHY it is Florence continues to return back to someone who’s treated her like a second choice.
This story is deeply referential to the Vietnamese culture and it felt at times like reading about my family with how relatable it felt. I love how Trang was able to capture our way of life in this story and puts it into words. Her unwillingness to change or not include parts of our culture in a world that wishes all to be black or white is inspiring. My favorite thing about this book is seen through Trang’s love of our culture and it made me so happy to see us represented!
Jade is a deeply complex, Vietnamese teenager with a lot of both daddy AND mommy issues(same) who uses anger as her driving force. I felt compelled by her character throughout the story but by the end, I was scratching my head as to why she behaved in certain ways. People aren’t as predictable as we like to think, and I guess Jade is that.
The horror elements in this book was very intriguing but I wished it was explored further and deeper. By the end of the story, everything felt rushed, and I was struggling to care about the stakes when it all just felt like it didn’t matter. I wished I liked the story more but I just don’t care for it. The relationship between Jade and Florence was interesting but is in desperate need for expansion, as we never know WHY it is Florence continues to return back to someone who’s treated her like a second choice.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Abandonment
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just finished this book… and am very overwhelmed by emotions. So well written! Weaves commentary on colonization with a fantastical creepy hungry ghost story. Told from the perspective on a first generation teen girl, visiting Vietnam from The States. Covers topics of ghosts, first gen family dynamics, sexual identity, and the way colonization history is fetishized by others in current day. I’m so glad that I read it with a friend so that I could call her, randomly, to scream about vivid scenes from the book. Highly recommend - this book is phenomenal.
I feel like everything is so bland and flat... the characters and plot. I also woumd have appreciated a pronunciation guide and possibly translations...
Good writing and unpredictable! My kinda book even though this isn't my typical genre!
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated