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thekibbs101's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
4.0
The beginning was slow but it became so addicting, I never wanted to put it down. I read it in 2 days because I was so invested in the story, especially the second half. I love the romance plot line and the mystery element was also making me hooked. I love Luna and Hunter together, how they make each other happy and are so good for each other. I had issues with the pacing because the first 100 pages felt slow, and then all of a sudden it became extremely fast paced and then went to a normal pacing. Also the first paragraph and the concept of this are what really made me want to read it, the first paragraph is written descriptively and I wish the rest of the books writing style had continued like that.
I love the first page. I liked the beginning but wanted more fantasy elements, I thought I was getting into a fantasy but it feels 99% like a contemporary book for the first 100 pages. The only fantasy elements are mentioned very briefly and it’s not even confirmed if they are magical. (It gets more magical at the end) The most interesting parts are when Hunter and Luna are interacting but it’s always very brief. And then even when they get to spend a whole bus ride together the way it’s written is very brief and rushed, like we don’t get to know any of their thoughts in the present moment even though they were sitting close together until after they’re off the bus. I really feel for Hunter and wish his home life was better. I like Cody’s character and Hunter’s relationship with him. All of a sudden after that it gets so fast paced, like they went from being on the bus together again to interacting multiple different times but it’s just skimmed and rushed in the way it’s written. It’s very strange and jarring, they have lunch together but we only get to see them talk for a few sentences and then it skips to them interacting again at another day, like why does it just keep skipping so much? I really don’t like that, I want to see them interacting at a normal pace so we can get to know them and see their bond start and grow. In the first 97 pages I felt like it was slow and wanted it to get faster but not in interesting scenes like them finally spending time together. It’s jarring the way it’s written to be having lunch together for half a page and then skip to the next time they’re having lunch in the second half of the same page. I just hate when books do this especially when it’s trying to show us the love interest and the mc bonding but instead of showing us it just speedily shows like a montage of them bonding and then afterwards we get told how they’re feeling. Why are we not being shown??? The first 100 pages were very slow and it’s very jarring to go from that to all of a sudden 2 pages make weeks go by instead of us getting shown that like the way the beginning did. I enjoyed when we did get a longer scene of them together after that but it really impacts how much I care about the characters relationship. When they kissed I was happy for them but we should have been shown them bonding more. The way it’s written is just so confusing to me because it had felt normal until it started skipping time constantly.
I like when we get perspectives from other characters. The plot line about the Yee family being in danger but not knowing why is very repetitive and ominous. I was still waiting for the fantasy elements to be focused on more by page 150 but I think the author just wanted to slowly bring in the magical aspects. It was sad to learn that Hunter’s family is in danger because of Hunter’s dad stealing from some guy, I wish Hunter’s dad would just try to fix his mistake so Hunter wouldn’t be in danger. Hunters parents are so awful I hate that his dad caused all of this and then he blames Hunter and assumed he stole the stone. And then Luna’s parents also turn out to be sucky because they don’t care about what she wants.
There’s so many things that just aren’t written in that I wish were, like when Hunter gets lunged at. It just skips to when they’re running away and outside driving away, but we don’t know why no one like tried defending Hunter and the guy who did it just gets away. Like Luna’s dad saw it happen but then he doesn’t say anything about it he just talks about how Luna should stay away from Hunter? And then Hunters dad somehow knew that that happened even though he wasn’t there. And when hunters dad shows up Hunter leaves with him but he doesn’t say goodbye to Luna? Like there’s just so much the gets left out. And then Hunter sees the man who lunged at him in his house and runs into the woods, yet doesn’t even think maybe he might see him? So he doesn’t even notice when he creeps up on them in the woods?? Ugh. And then the ending is so fast, I wish it were longer. Anytime an ending to a book feels fast and abruptly ends I just always wish it were longer. I wish Luna and Hunter could have said more to each other, and that we could see more of the aftermath of what happened. I just want more details, like it says she’s on the moon and he’s orbiting her but I just want more information. The ending is sad but the last paragraph told me they get to forever be together technically. I just want more!! Ugh I really enjoyed this book but I wish there were a sequel or something to where I could read more of Hunter & Luna! I will definitely be reading the authors other books. Also Hunter’s dad needs to be punished for hitting Hunter but Hunter like left them all of his money at the end!! His dad did not deserve that money. Also you have to reread the first page of this after finishing because it makes you understand everything more.
I love the first page. I liked the beginning but wanted more fantasy elements, I thought I was getting into a fantasy but it feels 99% like a contemporary book for the first 100 pages. The only fantasy elements are mentioned very briefly and it’s not even confirmed if they are magical. (It gets more magical at the end) The most interesting parts are when Hunter and Luna are interacting but it’s always very brief. And then even when they get to spend a whole bus ride together the way it’s written is very brief and rushed, like we don’t get to know any of their thoughts in the present moment even though they were sitting close together until after they’re off the bus. I really feel for Hunter and wish his home life was better. I like Cody’s character and Hunter’s relationship with him. All of a sudden after that it gets so fast paced, like they went from being on the bus together again to interacting multiple different times but it’s just skimmed and rushed in the way it’s written. It’s very strange and jarring, they have lunch together but we only get to see them talk for a few sentences and then it skips to them interacting again at another day, like why does it just keep skipping so much? I really don’t like that, I want to see them interacting at a normal pace so we can get to know them and see their bond start and grow. In the first 97 pages I felt like it was slow and wanted it to get faster but not in interesting scenes like them finally spending time together. It’s jarring the way it’s written to be having lunch together for half a page and then skip to the next time they’re having lunch in the second half of the same page. I just hate when books do this especially when it’s trying to show us the love interest and the mc bonding but instead of showing us it just speedily shows like a montage of them bonding and then afterwards we get told how they’re feeling. Why are we not being shown??? The first 100 pages were very slow and it’s very jarring to go from that to all of a sudden 2 pages make weeks go by instead of us getting shown that like the way the beginning did. I enjoyed when we did get a longer scene of them together after that but it really impacts how much I care about the characters relationship. When they kissed I was happy for them but we should have been shown them bonding more. The way it’s written is just so confusing to me because it had felt normal until it started skipping time constantly.
I like when we get perspectives from other characters. The plot line about the Yee family being in danger but not knowing why is very repetitive and ominous. I was still waiting for the fantasy elements to be focused on more by page 150 but I think the author just wanted to slowly bring in the magical aspects. It was sad to learn that Hunter’s family is in danger because of Hunter’s dad stealing from some guy, I wish Hunter’s dad would just try to fix his mistake so Hunter wouldn’t be in danger. Hunters parents are so awful I hate that his dad caused all of this and then he blames Hunter and assumed he stole the stone. And then Luna’s parents also turn out to be sucky because they don’t care about what she wants.
There’s so many things that just aren’t written in that I wish were, like when Hunter gets lunged at. It just skips to when they’re running away and outside driving away, but we don’t know why no one like tried defending Hunter and the guy who did it just gets away. Like Luna’s dad saw it happen but then he doesn’t say anything about it he just talks about how Luna should stay away from Hunter? And then Hunters dad somehow knew that that happened even though he wasn’t there. And when hunters dad shows up Hunter leaves with him but he doesn’t say goodbye to Luna? Like there’s just so much the gets left out. And then Hunter sees the man who lunged at him in his house and runs into the woods, yet doesn’t even think maybe he might see him? So he doesn’t even notice when he creeps up on them in the woods?? Ugh. And then the ending is so fast, I wish it were longer. Anytime an ending to a book feels fast and abruptly ends I just always wish it were longer. I wish Luna and Hunter could have said more to each other, and that we could see more of the aftermath of what happened. I just want more details, like it says she’s on the moon and he’s orbiting her but I just want more information. The ending is sad but the last paragraph told me they get to forever be together technically. I just want more!! Ugh I really enjoyed this book but I wish there were a sequel or something to where I could read more of Hunter & Luna! I will definitely be reading the authors other books. Also Hunter’s dad needs to be punished for hitting Hunter but Hunter like left them all of his money at the end!! His dad did not deserve that money. Also you have to reread the first page of this after finishing because it makes you understand everything more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Violence
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Racism and Violence
sundayfever's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It took me a while to get into this, the story felt oversimplified and cliche at the beginning. But I enjoyed it as it got more complicated. A nice modern twist on the classic tale of the Moon Lady. Haven't read many books that emphasize magic in Chinese culture. I didn't enjoy as much as the authors first book but still a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Chronic illness
whatjasread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
An Arrow to the Moon had a rough start for me. I went into it with very different expectations, thinking it would be high fantasy rather than a simpler magical realism novel. YA novels that focus so much on the MCs going to school don't tend to work so well for me, it's just not what I enjoy reading. However, with the subtle elements of magic and the forbidden friendship-turned-romance element added to it, AATTM was a genuinely great read. Writing wise, the first third was a bit of a struggle for me -- if the whole book had been like the final third, I think this could have been five stars.
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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, and Violence
kindredbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- 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
An Arrow to the Moon by Emily X.R. Pan is the retelling of Romeo and Juliet meets Chinese mythology. And so yes, I knew what I was in for when I picked up the book (sort of). I don't know if it's the hopeless romantic in me that still holds out hope that a Romeo and Juliet-inspired book will somehow end up in a happy ending. Hopeless, I know.
This retelling is set in modern day though it does integrate Chinese mythology and things happening in the past to lead to current circumstances. I thought it was quite clever the way the legend of Houyi and Chang'e was integrated into the story with Hunter and Luna as Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Also, those names - how much more perfect can it be? The story was told in so many different POVs that I was a little surprised at first - but I did see how it tied in more depth and details into the story, beyond that of Hunter and Luna. There was a lot of angst and complications that come with being teenagers, much less Chinese/Taiwanese teenagers. I was a little surprised to see the China vs. Taiwan politics play out in this story as well - though it did add a very realistic depth into the resentment between the Yee and Chang families. Overall, I enjoyed An Arrow to the Moon - I don't quite know if I was really convinced of the romance between Hunter and Luna; but it did give me the feelings I always had towards Romeo and Juliet. The idea that teen romance can happen in a moment, without logic or reason, beyond the feelings. You really have to buy into that idea that two young people can fall for each other, for no reason other than seeing one another with the fish tank between them (yes, that iconic scene from Romeo + Juliet, 1996 with Claire Danes and Leo DiCaprio).
This retelling is set in modern day though it does integrate Chinese mythology and things happening in the past to lead to current circumstances. I thought it was quite clever the way the legend of Houyi and Chang'e was integrated into the story with Hunter and Luna as Romeo and Juliet, respectively. Also, those names - how much more perfect can it be? The story was told in so many different POVs that I was a little surprised at first - but I did see how it tied in more depth and details into the story, beyond that of Hunter and Luna. There was a lot of angst and complications that come with being teenagers, much less Chinese/Taiwanese teenagers. I was a little surprised to see the China vs. Taiwan politics play out in this story as well - though it did add a very realistic depth into the resentment between the Yee and Chang families. Overall, I enjoyed An Arrow to the Moon - I don't quite know if I was really convinced of the romance between Hunter and Luna; but it did give me the feelings I always had towards Romeo and Juliet. The idea that teen romance can happen in a moment, without logic or reason, beyond the feelings. You really have to buy into that idea that two young people can fall for each other, for no reason other than seeing one another with the fish tank between them (yes, that iconic scene from Romeo + Juliet, 1996 with Claire Danes and Leo DiCaprio).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Kidnapping
marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
An Arrow to the Moon is a beautiful story that holds up even if you’ve never heard of Romeo and Juliet. In 1990’s America, in a quaint Northeastern town, Luna and Hunter live just a forest apart. When at last they meet, everything changes in a flash of light. As the world around them crumbles, Hunter and Luna are drawn to each other, hiding their bond from their feuding families. Amidst the stress of college applications and difficult family dynamics, their tumble into love feels so natural, like it was destined to happen. Woven with Chinese folklore and magical realism, this gorgeous tale will take your breath away.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
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