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snikhtha's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- 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
1.75
This book took me FOREVER to finish. I'm just glad I managed to get it done this year. Good riddance.
This has such a promising plot, but sadly the execution does not live up. The pacing is the obvious culprit. The plot moves at a snail's pace and each chapter barely reveals one minuscule crumb of plot point. It takes forever to get the main plot going, and none of the side plots are interesting enough to make up for it.
The other problem is Roma, and by extension, the White Flowers. They're not nearly as fleshed out as the Cai's, and they get far less screen time. Roma has no real personality besides being the love interest, and Benedikt and Marshall are just... there. In comparison to Juliette's relationships with her cousins, the White Flowers boys just don't measure up. Roma's place within the White Flowers is also murky and the gang just does not seem as threatening in comparison.
Also, the twist villain. It was obvious from the first meeting. I would like to think I wouldn't have a problem with guessing twists, but reading 400 pages just to find out what I guessed all along was anti-climactic to say the least.
Looks like this series might be DNFd. I can't take another 5 months for just one book.
This has such a promising plot, but sadly the execution does not live up. The pacing is the obvious culprit. The plot moves at a snail's pace and each chapter barely reveals one minuscule crumb of plot point. It takes forever to get the main plot going, and none of the side plots are interesting enough to make up for it.
The other problem is Roma, and by extension, the White Flowers. They're not nearly as fleshed out as the Cai's, and they get far less screen time. Roma has no real personality besides being the love interest, and Benedikt and Marshall are just... there. In comparison to Juliette's relationships with her cousins, the White Flowers boys just don't measure up. Roma's place within the White Flowers is also murky and the gang just does not seem as threatening in comparison.
Also, the twist villain. It was obvious from the first meeting. I would like to think I wouldn't have a problem with guessing twists, but reading 400 pages just to find out what I guessed all along was anti-climactic to say the least.
Looks like this series might be DNFd. I can't take another 5 months for just one book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Body horror
Moderate: Transphobia and Xenophobia
archiveofrasa's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
A solid 4 stars. I can just about see why people disliked this, especially if they're more devout fantasy readers, but it was honestly a fun ride for me. The writing is absolutely gorgeous and I think this book proved to me that I will eat anything up if the prose sounds nice. This will probably break down if I put my literacy hat on, but it's off for now to let my brain rest lol
Admittedly, I think I would've been more invested in Juliette and Roma had there been flashbacks to them falling in love. I think they're both interesting characters in their own right and the complexities of their relationship are entertaining, so I hope they further develop in the sequel!
The fact the plot drove me more was surprising since I am ultimately a character person at heart, but the setting did a lot for me. I don't mind if there are better representations out there, I very much enjoyed it here. Can't wait to get back into it in the sequel.
Admittedly, I think I would've been more invested in Juliette and Roma had there been flashbacks to them falling in love. I think they're both interesting characters in their own right and the complexities of their relationship are entertaining, so I hope they further develop in the sequel!
The fact the plot drove me more was surprising since I am ultimately a character person at heart, but the setting did a lot for me. I don't mind if there are better representations out there, I very much enjoyed it here. Can't wait to get back into it in the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Transphobia, and Racism
Minor: Medical content, Death of parent, and Torture
reachingforstardust's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Self harm, and Body horror
Moderate: Violence and Transphobia
shelvesofivy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Xenophobia, Alcohol, and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
natesalsbury's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Violence, Transphobia, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, and Gore
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Deadnaming
hellodebbies's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Coup de cœur de l'année 💗
De l’histoire aux personnages, j’ai tout adoré ! L'élucidation du mystère était si bien exécuté, chaque chapitre me tenait en haleine et quand le livre a finalement pris fin... j’avais besoin de plus. Sérieusement, mes amis et moi avons comparé ce livre à une du crack parce qu'on en voulez enc re plus.
Les personnages étaient incroyables et adorables à mort, les plaisanteries de Juliet et Roma étaient impeccables, la tension était si forte et la trope ennemis des amoureux étaient parfaits.
L’édition française a des GROS problèmes avec leur traduction, mais dans l’ensemble, c’était bien malgré qu'il y ait beaucoup de sur traduction qui empêche l'audience visée de lire ce lire. Je me demande vraiment comment le traducteur peut faire un travail de qualité et ensuite le ruiner en traduisant incorrectement les phrases les plus simples ???
Fav of the year !
From the story to characters, I loved everything ! The mystery was so good and well executed, I was on the edge every chapters and when it finally ended...I needed more. Seriously, my friends compared this book to an addiction because you want more of it.
The characters were incredible and loveable to death, Juliet et Roma's banters were immaculate, the tension was so thick and the ennemies to lovers was perfect.
The french edition has some BIG issues with their translation but overall it was good but I am wondering how can the translator do such a job and then ruined it by translating incorrectly the EASIEST sentences ???
De l’histoire aux personnages, j’ai tout adoré ! L'élucidation du mystère était si bien exécuté, chaque chapitre me tenait en haleine et quand le livre a finalement pris fin... j’avais besoin de plus. Sérieusement, mes amis et moi avons comparé ce livre à une du crack parce qu'on en voulez enc re plus.
Les personnages étaient incroyables et adorables à mort, les plaisanteries de Juliet et Roma étaient impeccables, la tension était si forte et la trope ennemis des amoureux étaient parfaits.
L’édition française a des GROS problèmes avec leur traduction, mais dans l’ensemble, c’était bien malgré qu'il y ait beaucoup de sur traduction qui empêche l'audience visée de lire ce lire. Je me demande vraiment comment le traducteur peut faire un travail de qualité et ensuite le ruiner en traduisant incorrectement les phrases les plus simples ???
Fav of the year !
From the story to characters, I loved everything ! The mystery was so good and well executed, I was on the edge every chapters and when it finally ended...I needed more. Seriously, my friends compared this book to an addiction because you want more of it.
The characters were incredible and loveable to death, Juliet et Roma's banters were immaculate, the tension was so thick and the ennemies to lovers was perfect.
The french edition has some BIG issues with their translation but overall it was good but I am wondering how can the translator do such a job and then ruined it by translating incorrectly the EASIEST sentences ???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Blood, Death of parent, Death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Grief and Transphobia
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
“A love like theirs was never going to survive in a city divided by hatred.”
It took me a while to really get into the story and the insects and how they are described deserve a trigger warning! At first it was disgusting to read about the insects and it grossed me out, but luckily it got better.
This story is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, set in Shanghai in the year 1926. The main characters Juliette and Roma are the heirs of feuding families and are expected to put their own family and gang first. But something weird is happening in Shanghai and it’s up to them to protect the city, together. However, from the start it is clear that there is some bad history between them.
“She could have reminded him of what he did four years ago, pushed the blade of guilt in until he was bleeding.”
As the story proceeds, we get to know what happened between them. They are both interesting and strong characters. I also really liked Marshall and Celia!
What shocked me the most is China’s political turmoil at that time and how much racism Chinese people faced by foreigners not only in America, but even in their own country. I could sense the resentment the author feels, rightfully so!
“Foreigners built parks and demanded the Chinese keep out. They poured funds into the city, and though China was never formally a colony, that was precisely what was going on in Shanghai: segment after segment being colonized.”
I’m glad to have read this book, because the background of this story was very educational! Now I’m curious to learn more about the history of Asia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Xenophobia, Violence, Stalking, Sexism, Racism, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, and Colonisation
Moderate: Transphobia, Drug use, and Grief
Minor: War, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Beware of a detailed description of insects attacking humans!caseythereader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Grief, Gun violence, Colonisation, Death of parent, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Transphobia and Racism
fionamatilda's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Classism, and Transphobia
akane_readsyt's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Gun violence, Gore, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Transphobia, Racism, Police brutality, Child abuse, Dysphoria, and Body shaming