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hmbutler15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Murder, Gun violence, and Death
Minor: Racism, Death of parent, and Misogyny
delphenoide's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
serendipity421's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Alcohol, Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Racism, Violence, Classism, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Vomit
bergha1998's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
This is a very dynamic book, both the characters and the plot. I knew it to be a Romeo and Juliet retelling in China between gangs. What I didn’t realize before reading it was how much of it revolves around an outbreak. That part of the book feels very fantastical. I also really liked that Roma and Juliet were older and had past history set before the book.
Dark Romance, LGBTQIA+ Representation, Friends to Lovers to Enemies
Dark Romance, LGBTQIA+ Representation, Friends to Lovers to Enemies
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Chronic illness, Body horror, Murder, Drug use, Death of parent, Blood, Torture, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Grief, and Death
snikhtha's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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
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
emilywemily6's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
I absolutely loved this book and bought the rest of Gong’s work because of it. This story is such a unique retelling with little hints of Shakespeare while being entirely its own thing. I loved the combination of gangster blood feuds, political intrigue, a mysterious madness sweeping the city, and a touch of romantic tension. The characters are vibrant yet morally grey and very interesting. Although it was on the longer side, I enjoyed every minute of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Blood, Child death, Classism, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Death, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexism, Violence, Body horror, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Medical content
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Homophobia
so_hull's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Death of parent, and Blood
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