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thecriticalreader's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
Context:
I picked up The Queens of New York by E.L. Shen on a whim because I thought the cover was pretty.
Review:
I am definitely not the target audience for The Queens of New York, but I’m always down to give books outside my wheelhouse a shot. At first, I found this book to be cringey in the way the author tries to write teenage girl dialogue, text lingo, and the numerous 2023 pop culture references that will not age well. (Not to mention the puzzling fact that one of the main characters, Everett, attends an elite musical theater camp in Ohio of all places even though she lives in New York City, the musical theater capital of the US!) Furthermore, I couldn’t tell what age the target audience for this book would be. At times, the writing and characters appear naïve, simplistic, and juvenile, and I assumed this book was made for and about thirteen-year-olds. At other moments, the characters face challenges and respond to them in a manner congruous to their actual age, which is seventeen.
As I kept reading, I was able to overlook the book’s flaws because Shen infuses a lot of heart into this story. I found myself rooting for the three main characters as they navigate realistic struggles in their lives and rely on each other’s support to face tough situations. The Queens of New York is far from perfect, but I think many young readers will connect with these characters and relate to their circumstances.
The Run-Down:
You will probably like The Queens of New York if . . .
· You are looking for a realistic fiction, young adult story that tackles themes of friendship, cultural identity, racism, and grief
· You want a hopeful story with a strong friendship at the center
· You can relate to the teenage girl protagonists
You might not like The Queens of New York if . . .
· You can’t stand when authors include text and email conversations in their books
· You want to read a book that accurately reflects how seventeen-year-olds act and speak
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cultural appropriation, Vomit, and Racism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Alcohol
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