Scan barcode
koiolee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A few things confused me while reading this story, namely, why don't these rich people have kidnapping insurance? Ik it's not like common knowledge, but so many rich people/billionaires have it. I would've expected at least Henry to mention it.
Speaking of Henry, I was really looking forward to learning the depth of his character, any secrets minus his daddy issues. I wanted to know his background too, learn more about his sister, etc. He kinda just felt flat in my opinion. Hell even Chanel had more information than him.
Also Alice was really annoying to me. Like i understand the drive and the need to prove yourself and all that, but idk she just irritated the crap out of me. I almost DNFed because Alice was so annoying. I didn't because I needed to learn more about Henry, then eventually Alice stopped being annoying and it was fine.
Graphic: Abandonment, Kidnapping, Classism, Confinement, Bullying, and Child abuse
kaneebli's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, and Classism
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Child abuse and Confinement
alicia_g's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
the way the food is described in this book 🤤
Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Hate crime, Child abuse, Classism, and Racism
daenerystargaryen'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
Graphic: Classism and Kidnapping
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Infidelity, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Confinement
Minor: Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Cursing, and Vomit
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Violence, Classism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
Minor: Sexism, Xenophobia, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Blood
_persephone's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Child abuse
cameronreads's review against another edition
2.5
There was also something slightly off about the pacing right at the beginning of the book (although for the most part it was fine), with magical powers developing all of a sudden and characters just accepting it without a second thought and immediately moving on with their lives. I don’t necessarily have a problem with there being no explanation for the powers (although due to personal preference I would have rather had one) but it did just feel like a very quick onset and acceptance.
I liked what this book was saying about private schools and I think it was successful for the most part - it wasn’t the most nuanced view but it wasn’t really trying to be so that’s not necessarily a problem. I like that Alice found a way to help others in her situation at the end, which was a nice cumulation of her character growth.
I also thought it had interesting points about academics and self worth, in fact I wish it had delved into it a bit deeper. There’s a point where Alice realises that she actually does have potential to have deeper relationships with her classmates and she’s accidentally isolated herself, but she moves on quite quickly. She almost has a great conversation with Chanel about why they aren’t better friends and I thought they’d come back to it nearer the end but never do.
Essentially, I really liked the concept of this book, and if it had been delved into a bit deeper and the characters had been fleshed out a little more, I think I would have really enjoyed it.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Blood and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Alcohol, and Hate crime
bloodbrooxv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Classism, Racism, and Child abuse
itaby'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
4.5
Graphic: Kidnapping and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Racism, Cursing, and Child abuse
replaceblue's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
When I did, was delighted to find this book about a Chinese girl, written by an author with the same last name as me. I didn't quite grow up in Beijing, but the descriptions of super elite high school ft. foreign expats and pot-belled uncles in stained white vests felt exactly like my childhood in front of me, like a movie. The way Alice's parents love, quiet in their love but tough and suffering behind the scenes so she could have a better life, felt so awfully familiar. Alice working hard so her parents' suffering isn't in vain - Henry's backstory - the interspersed pinyin I could so gleefully piece together, even without the characters - they felt like home all over again.
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Racism and Child abuse