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leannj's review
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
3.25
[Reread 2022]
I decided to reread this book so I could remember the details before I finally read the sequel. The good news is that through this reread I was able to pinpoint the specific things I enjoyed about the story, which were: (a) seeing how the original play of Romeo and Juliet was adapted into this setting, (b) the mystery aspect of the story, and (c) the side characters Kathleen Lang and Marshall Seo. The bad news that this reread also made me realize what I didn't like about the story, which was: everything else (including but not limited to: Roma, Juliet, Roma and Juliet...). While I'm still intrigued to find out what happens in the sequel, unfortunately this is not an all time favorite book like I once thought it was.
[Previous Review]
after finishing this book I got an adrenaline rush for a good ten minutes at least...so yeah. *goes off to scream forever*
I decided to reread this book so I could remember the details before I finally read the sequel. The good news is that through this reread I was able to pinpoint the specific things I enjoyed about the story, which were: (a) seeing how the original play of Romeo and Juliet was adapted into this setting, (b) the mystery aspect of the story, and (c) the side characters Kathleen Lang and Marshall Seo. The bad news that this reread also made me realize what I didn't like about the story, which was: everything else (including but not limited to: Roma, Juliet, Roma and Juliet...). While I'm still intrigued to find out what happens in the sequel, unfortunately this is not an all time favorite book like I once thought it was.
[Previous Review]
after finishing this book I got an adrenaline rush for a good ten minutes at least...so yeah. *goes off to scream forever*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, Transphobia, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
readerette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm not sure I'm a Romeo and Juliet fan, so undoubtedly that impacts my enjoyment of any retellings. I like the world building and all the factions represented and the energy of the city. The two main characters were mostly enjoyable but ultimately tiring for me to keep caring about, with all their gangster antics and anguish. The story was predictable (even having only a rudimentary understanding of R&J) and the fantasy element completely unnecessary and not really believable as part of a world and a history based heavily on our own reality (but I do prefer an element of believability in my fantasy stories). The descriptions were overwrought in many places, which made the book feel less polished and overly long.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Violence
Minor: Gore, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
artsybrea's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Death
Moderate: Gore and Gun violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
luckykosmos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
(Updated after some time, where my impression of the prose deteriorated)
In terms of a Romeo & Juliet reinterpretation, of the use of the setting and reimagining of the characters, I LOVED this. I adore Juliette as a character, and in particular the discussions of sexism and colonialism from her perspective, the things that molded her to the person she is. And I loved all of the fake-outs - the books opens with a clear parallel to the opening of the play, but after that, Gong is liberal with twists, leading the reader to believe one thing may happen while another does instead.
Two things detracted for me. One, the dialogue felt clunky and unwieldy - I respect Gong's aiming for period-accurate speech, but at times it felt at odds with her otherwise lovely prose. And two, (Indiana Jones voice) why did it have to be bugs? Understanding that there is a sequel coming, I'm hoping there's an explanation for that particular angle of the plot. It wasn't world-ending at all, but distracting, just because it could have very easily been Not My Cup of Tea.
In terms of a Romeo & Juliet reinterpretation, of the use of the setting and reimagining of the characters, I LOVED this. I adore Juliette as a character, and in particular the discussions of sexism and colonialism from her perspective, the things that molded her to the person she is. And I loved all of the fake-outs - the books opens with a clear parallel to the opening of the play, but after that, Gong is liberal with twists, leading the reader to believe one thing may happen while another does instead.
Two things detracted for me. One, the dialogue felt clunky and unwieldy - I respect Gong's aiming for period-accurate speech, but at times it felt at odds with her otherwise lovely prose. And two, (Indiana Jones voice) why did it have to be bugs? Understanding that there is a sequel coming, I'm hoping there's an explanation for that particular angle of the plot. It wasn't world-ending at all, but distracting, just because it could have very easily been Not My Cup of Tea.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Drug use, Sexism, and Xenophobia
Content warnings for parasites and plagues.
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