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superstar_y2k's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
this book is not as complex as it seems to be (or rather has the potential to be)
this book speaks on colonialism, racism and white supremacy, murder, betrayal, politics, and other humanitarian topics but somehow oversimplifies and brushes off those topics to follow a clumsy mystery where our romeo & juliette must work together despite their previous murderous betrayals. see, the thing about shakespeare’s romeo & juliette is that the reader wants to root for them. roma & juliette cai aren’t likable characters that i felt didn’t actually love each other.
i could go on, but honestly there are many other reviews i’ve seen that correspond to the way i feel, so i won’t beat a dead horse
this book speaks on colonialism, racism and white supremacy, murder, betrayal, politics, and other humanitarian topics but somehow oversimplifies and brushes off those topics to follow a clumsy mystery where our romeo & juliette must work together despite their previous murderous betrayals. see, the thing about shakespeare’s romeo & juliette is that the reader wants to root for them. roma & juliette cai aren’t likable characters that i felt didn’t actually love each other.
i could go on, but honestly there are many other reviews i’ve seen that correspond to the way i feel, so i won’t beat a dead horse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Classism, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Death, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Child abuse, Cursing, Toxic friendship, Blood, and Torture
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Gore, Deadnaming, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
mattiedancer's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Writing: 5⭐️/5
The writing is both natural and elegant, making the most violent of scenes read smoothly and cleanly. I really enjoyed how the writing read, both technically and artistically.
Characters: 5⭐️/5
The characters are based on “Romeo and Juliet,” so, while she pays homage to these original characters in her retelling, Gong manages to make each one feel new. Juliette – unlike her Shakespearan counterpart – is largely independent and unreserved, constantly questioning her father, making demands of her family, and challenging established systems. Roma, based on Romeo, shares his namesake’s penchant for sensitivity and eloquence. The secondary characters used their shared traits to their advantage, gaining more characterization through their connections rather than less.
Plot: 5⭐️/5
Again, it’s a sort of retelling, so the plot points are predetermined, and yet the ways in which Gong uses those preestablished moments to add to her unique tale is adeptly handled. I loved the nods towards the Shakespearan play – telling someone his name was Montague while undercover, the fight scene at the start where someone utters, “I don’t know what that means,” the **SPOILERS** “death” of Marshall, who is Mercutio reincarnate. All of these were heavily enjoyable but not overdone.
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
Amazing. Want to read it again for the first time.
Who Should Read This?
- Fans of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet
- Fantasy meets mystery fans
- Readers looking for a Chinese mythology-influenced story
CW: Blood, Violence, Gun Violence, Parental abuse, death, colonisation
Final Rating: 5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Colonisation, Gun violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Blood, Medical trauma, and Murder
Minor: Alcohol and Fire/Fire injury
laurendenton's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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: Death and Gore
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
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