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lanid's review against another edition
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Colonisation, Racism, and Xenophobia
withlivjones's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was such a fun read, a thrilling heist story that is actually realistic in that it’s messy and the characters (far from professional thieves) don’t know what they’re doing a lot of the time, but that makes the way everything comes together that much more satisfying. I loved the discussions of museums keeping stolen artefacts and of being descendants of immigrants and what the American Dream means to the characters in that context. The characters were all well fleshed out with their own arcs and they worked really well together - I especially loved the tension between Alex and Irene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Terminal illness, Racism, and Xenophobia
hannah_steven's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Grief and Xenophobia
Minor: War
elb22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
annoyingtwig's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
objectively, this book does not warrant a 5 star rating. the writing style got pretty repetitive after about 2/3 of the book, the characters voices didn’t feel really distinct from one another, and most of the messages were very heavy handed. if i were being objective, i’d probably give this 3.5/5
however, i am not an objective rater. sometimes (most of the time) i rate on vibe. and i’ll be damned if these vibes did not go so hard. despite all my critiques listed i had so much fun reading this book. and the CLIMAX!!! yeah no 5 stars immediately. so excited for the netflix show. i <3 irene chen 🤗
however, i am not an objective rater. sometimes (most of the time) i rate on vibe. and i’ll be damned if these vibes did not go so hard. despite all my critiques listed i had so much fun reading this book. and the CLIMAX!!! yeah no 5 stars immediately. so excited for the netflix show. i <3 irene chen 🤗
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia
elizabeth_lepore's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
lia_argo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, Grief, Xenophobia, and Racism
kassidyreads's review against another edition
reflective
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? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racism, Colonisation, and Death of parent
frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
I really loved this! I may be a history student but above all, I am a museum criticist.
This story seems simple — 5 Chinese-American college students, 5 zodiac heads to be retrieved. But it is so much more than that. It's about immigration, family, love and the loss of it, complicated sibling relationships and just not knowing where your life is supposed to end up. I could find myself so much in this book, it was so raw and real.
The character relationships were so interesting, especially how each of them had different and established relationships and intercations with the other members of the crew. They're all multifaceted and you can really see that come through in those scenes and that's what makes them seem so much like real people.
I really appreciated the constant mentions of Chinese proverbs and the small differences in meaning that sentences can have in English & Chinese, that was so interesting. I've been trying to get into Asian history for some time but I've been really struggling to find an in (I'm not one for biggg, long, overview books, give me one single aspect please) and I think the Summer Palace is the one! Its history in the past and its status right now really intrigues me.
Would definitely recommend if you also love criticising museums and your own academic field. Academia is a scam but I firmly believe we can change it.
Okay, now, why wasn't this 5 stars? Don't get me wrong: people know me as someone who hates, basically can't read anything, that has a sad ending but this one was just too perfect for me. I loved how much they messed up in the book, how un-perfect this heist was and maybe I'm just a hater of historical institutions at my form but I'm not able to dispense reality enough to believe this ending.
This story seems simple — 5 Chinese-American college students, 5 zodiac heads to be retrieved. But it is so much more than that. It's about immigration, family, love and the loss of it, complicated sibling relationships and just not knowing where your life is supposed to end up. I could find myself so much in this book, it was so raw and real.
The character relationships were so interesting, especially how each of them had different and established relationships and intercations with the other members of the crew. They're all multifaceted and you can really see that come through in those scenes and that's what makes them seem so much like real people.
I really appreciated the constant mentions of Chinese proverbs and the small differences in meaning that sentences can have in English & Chinese, that was so interesting. I've been trying to get into Asian history for some time but I've been really struggling to find an in (I'm not one for biggg, long, overview books, give me one single aspect please) and I think the Summer Palace is the one! Its history in the past and its status right now really intrigues me.
Would definitely recommend if you also love criticising museums and your own academic field. Academia is a scam but I firmly believe we can change it.
Okay, now, why wasn't this 5 stars? Don't get me wrong: people know me as someone who hates, basically can't read anything, that has a sad ending but this one was just too perfect for me. I loved how much they messed up in the book, how un-perfect this heist was and maybe I'm just a hater of historical institutions at my form but I'm not able to dispense reality enough to believe this ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Moderate: Xenophobia, Death of parent, Racism, and Grief
Minor: War
directorpurry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia