Scan barcode
akira_outofthegravity's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Juniper is such an interesting character, because at points I almost do feel sorry for her. It’s difficult putting yourself out there, especially when your friend seems preordained for greatness. I’ve been there. My best friend was everything I wanted to be, she was blonde, beautiful, and funny. She was insanely intelligent and good at everything. Her poetry made a teacher cry, her grades were the highest in my year. No one wanted to know me, they wanted to know her. I understand Juniper, better than I’d like to admit.
But Juniper’s downfall comes in the form of her unwillingness, or perhaps her lack of ability, to take any responsibility. She’s judgemental and rude and turns on people at any given moment. She’s incredibly selfish and bitchy, but at points she is sympathetic.
I love how Kuang dips between timelines, showing both Athena and Juniper in a sympathetic and unsympathetic light- but the fact is that none of Athena’s acts are terrible enough to have her life’s work stolen and her identity as a woman of colour stolen.
I think this is a very sharp thought out critique and I hope that Kuang writes more thrillers in the future!
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Racism
Moderate: Body horror, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Rape, Bullying, and Sexual assault
Minor: Eating disorder and Gaslighting
majakrmer's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, Death, Cultural appropriation, and Vomit
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual assault, War, and Racial slurs
Minor: Eating disorder and Suicidal thoughts
clairew97's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
The main character is as insufferable and delusional as you would expect. Her justifications for her actions were wild to me, but I also believe that there are people out there who think like June does.
The exploration of racism within the publishing industry and the insight into the industry was incredibly interesting. Also, the exploration into the online world as a writer was an interesting take. The ending took me completely by surprise and I was hooked.
A completely satirical look into the publishing world and life as an author, I don’t think anyone else could have handled the premise of this book quite as well. A complete 180 from Babel, so if you’re looking for that type of book again this is definitely not it. I can’t wait to see where R F Kuang goes next.
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, War, Blood, Alcohol, Classism, Sexual assault, Sexism, Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Stalking, Violence, Grief, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Body horror, Body shaming, Gaslighting, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, and Racial slurs
shainalite's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Yellowface spoke the reality especially what happens online when there's a hot controversial news nobody knows the truth yet. This book is here to remind you that nobody is 100% saint nor 100% devil, there's always complicated stories and behaviors everyone bears. There's always the "side effect" of every decision we make as an individual or collective. When we have decided this A is the best for the majority of us, there'll be some people feeling left out. The story in this book about writing and publishing world told from a perspective of June/Juniper touches many sensitive topics. The way it's told is putting the readers above the story to witness what will unfold next. However one part of this book sent a chill up my spine as if I was there with the main character.
Graphic: Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Death, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: War and Alcohol