Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - Yolk

Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

51 reviews

jayisreading's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

I saw a lot of praise for Yolk and, out of curiosity, decided to pick it up. I should preface that I’m really particular about YA books, one of the reasons being that I often find myself not liking the protagonists very much. Unfortunately, this was the case with Yolk, too, but my feelings for Jayne were... far more complicated than I anticipated. I understand why she acted the way she did throughout this book. It’s frustrating when you’re on the outside, knowing how so much of this could be solved with some help, but also knowing that you can’t... quite force it, either. It’s more so the case when you’ve also been in a similar position of spiraling, knowing how hard it is to get out of it. However, there’s only so much self-sabotaging you can deal with before it gets too frustrating that you start resenting the character. I think what upsets me is that you do see glimpses of positive development, especially towards the end, but it makes me wish that was occurring throughout the book.

Some things felt a bit too forced for my taste such as the whole relationship with Patrick which honestly felt random and somewhat out-of-place, or the dysfunctional elements of relationships. Regarding the latter, I think showing the messiness of it all was executed well (maybe too well), especially when it came to the relationship Jayne had with her sister, June. I think Choi could have pulled back a little to allow for some more plot development.

All in all, I think some really important topics were covered, especially about eating disorders. I think Choi really navigated this with sensitivity and grace but without sugarcoating anything. It’s rare to see a book cover this matter, despite its prevalence in society, and I appreciate that the book exists for people to feel a little less alone and understand that, like Jayne, help and support are always there. I would have loved more on the family relationships, since that was clearly important but it came and went so quickly sometimes. It wouldn’t make sense to take it out, but it didn’t feel as though there was enough either. But I’m glad that, at the very least, Choi dove deep into the sisters’ relationship that showed how complex they can get. It feels rare to see books that centers sibling relationships as much as Yolk did, and despite my complaints earlier, I appreciated the time she took to develop their relationship.

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jenzoospickles's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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briqhtkit's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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cahpicasso's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

what an incredible read!

so much more intense than I'd expected, it felt incredibly accurate even though I never struggled like Jayne. You'll get to see complicated family dynamics, mixed feelings all the time, not knowing what to do with life and wondering if you're the only one who never figure things out.

I loved all the pop-culture references and wish I could follow these characters for a long time after finishing it. 🖤

beware of the trigger warnings at the beginning, it truly is a wild ride. (also, I think the "when the party's over" quote was straight-up brilliant).

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navayiota's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

What a fucking fantastic book. I relate so much. She went through such horrible things, I just wanted to hold her. The audacity of some characters. I felt it in my soul. As much as the last chapter wants me to love June and their mum, I would never forgive them. I want to imagine a bright future for Jane. She deserves it. My fucking heart.

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purpleblueraiin's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective 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

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annuich's review against another edition

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Protagonist making a lot of stupid decisions, kinda toxic family relationship, wish author had written more about the eating disorder part of the story.

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nataliebootlah's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Yolk is raw, emotional, genuine, and so painfully real. It’s a messy coming of age story about two estranged sisters living vastly different lives in New York City. One sister runs head on into a successful career while the other runs as fast and as far from her problems. How long can they avoid each other in big, busy New York City? Not long enough.

June’s cancer diagnosis trumps Jayne’s dead-beat boyfriends, inability to attend class, and NYC-closet apartment. Sister relationships ebb and flow, sometimes you loathe them. Other times you put up with them because you have to.

Choi has an amazing way with words making you feel like you’re listening to a personal soundtrack of NYC. Yolk hit the nail on the head with a nostalgia that felt like visiting somewhere so familiar. It feels comfortable and uncomfortable simultaneously.

Also, this book cover is just perfect. *chefs kiss*

TW: eating disorders, dysmorphia, cancer, female fertility, talk of child loss, mental illness.

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rbookish's review against another edition

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hopeful relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

bookscoffeehayley's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

CW: graphic description of eating disorders
cancer, vomit, sexual assault, mention of miscarriage

Yolk was the first book by Mary H.K Choi that I read and I loved it. There was something so raw and real about her characters, especially Jayne, that I couldn’t get enough of. The way that Choi writes makes these characters and their emotions come to life right off the page.

I’m having a hard fully putting into words my thoughts on this book. I loved it and if you’ve read it I’d love to chat. It’s such a wonderful novel and I’m immediately buying Choi’s previous two books, Emergency Contact and Permanent Record. I absolutely recommend this book!

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