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steffandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Half of the book I loved and the other half I was bored to death. Let’s start with the things I enjoyed.
Loved the short chapters and multiple POVs. Loved the love story between Hunter and Luna. Loved how Luna grew over the time span in the book and became her own person. Loved the writing style.
What I didn’t enjoy that there was so much happening and in the end also not. Like, don’t ask me what the plot was supposed to be of this book, I couldn’t tell you. Then so many things left unexplained and some rather questionable topics being mentioned in the book, but, again not really explained and rather brushed off. As a privileged white woman, I’m the last person to be able to talk about Chinese history, but I would’ve wished for things to be explained more, especially if you‘re covering topics that are not vastly discussed in the general public or school.
Overall, that left the story all over the place and the ending 🤨
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
Cheatingkirstenf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Racism and Violence
whatjasread's review against another edition
- 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
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn't shy away from important, difficult topics. They're not presented in an overwhelming or overbearing way, either. There's an argument to be made that it does fall too easily into the stereotype of the strict East Asian parent who is only ever focused on academic achievement and pushing their child to the limit. While it does, the book also pays important attention to political issues such as the Taiwan China conflict (which I'm genuinely intrigued about and will probably go and research more!) It also doesn't shy away from open discussion of periods - blood, cramps and everything in between. It seems like such a minor thing, but it's so important, especially in YA.
The ending was just phenomenal, I think if similar snippets had been woven throughout more than just in the journal, it would have been amazing and added a bit more to the story. I adore all the relationships in this book, particularly between Hunter and his younger brother Cody! There were some storylines which I didn't much care about (Rodney, mostly), but otherwise this book surprised me in a good way!
TWs: asthma attacks, racism, sexism, overbearing parents, strained family relationships, cheating, financial difficulty, child abuse, depression
Graphic: Death, Bullying, and Child abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Sexism, Torture, and Racism
abookboundgirl's review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Bullying
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Chronic illness
Minor: Torture, Violence, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse