Scan barcode
readwithsophsx's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Violence, Kidnapping, Body horror, Cultural appropriation, Cursing, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, and Physical abuse
butteredtoastinbed's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
I really loved this book for a number of reasons. The main thing I loved the most was the characters and how real they felt, and in turn how much I rooted for them. I really did care for all of the main (and secondary) characters a lot, and even rooted for the main romantic relationship to bloom (which is very rare for me!).
The supernatural element added such a fun twist too and I really loved that part of the story, and I also loved going along with the characters to complete their tasks, it was such a fun read. I haven’t read many Asian-influenced books but this one was really interesting and really transported me there with the characters. I felt their hardships and successes and I overall had such a great time reading.
I took a break in the middle of reading this book, but it was very easy for me to get back into it and feel just as involved in the story as I did before I left, which I think shows how engaging and unique this story is.
The only negative I can think of is that I’m not a huge fan of the “teenagers make a big speech and the adults suddenly realise they’re wrong and everything turns out perfectly” trope, which did happen to an extent near the end, but even so, the ending was bittersweet and didn’t turn out unrealistically fine which I really appreciated and made the ending really great.
Overall, I really loved this book and I definitely would recommend it as I think it is well worth the read. I think I would like to reread it at some time in the future, as well, to go back to the world, and the characters too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
runningonwords415's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
alisonannk's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Infidelity
moonlitreading_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
“I’d rather be the villain who lives to the end than the hero who winds up dead.”
This was a super cute read and the invisibility element made it even better. It was exciting to read as Alice did her tasks because of how high the chances of her getting caught were. I have and will always be a supporter of women’s rights and, most importantly, of women’s wrongs.
Fun aside, I couldn’t help but empa hize with Alice as I read about her struggles and thoughts as she navigated her school life around the wealthy and privileged. I really felt her pain especially towards the end. I almost ended up a sobbing mess because of her.
The best part about this book for me was the academic rivalry between Alice and Henry. I love a good academic rivals to lovers!!! From their banters to their serious conversations, everything was just *chef’s kiss*.
This is my second Ann Liang book and I now consider her as one of my auto read authors. She never misses fr.
This was a super cute read and the invisibility element made it even better. It was exciting to read as Alice did her tasks because of how high the chances of her getting caught were. I have and will always be a supporter of women’s rights and, most importantly, of women’s wrongs.
Fun aside, I couldn’t help but empa hize with Alice as I read about her struggles and thoughts as she navigated her school life around the wealthy and privileged. I really felt her pain especially towards the end. I almost ended up a sobbing mess because of her.
The best part about this book for me was the academic rivalry between Alice and Henry. I love a good academic rivals to lovers!!! From their banters to their serious conversations, everything was just *chef’s kiss*.
This is my second Ann Liang book and I now consider her as one of my auto read authors. She never misses fr.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Classism
Moderate: Racism
ye_li's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Hate crime
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
toffishay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
2.75
These teenage academic rivals to lovers solve classism with the power of invisibility...but mostly with money!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Classism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Bullying, and Hate crime
taroroot's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-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
4.0
this was such a fun read. i loved the setting as well as alice's unique perspective on her school & classmates. i wish there had been a little bit more of an explanation/resolution for her powers but that's just magical realism i guess. i liked how her and henry's relationship retained their competitiveness even though they weren't technically 'rivals' anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Classism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Hate crime
weirdfi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Received a copy from Harlequin Aus.
~~~
I thought from the blurb this was a little interesting and would be a fun quick read. Life drama with some fantasy elements thrown in. A little like With this Kiss, I guess?
And in most respects it was, quick yes, fun? Funny is probably the better word, as it went deep and dark and fast paced more than I expected but had laugh out loud moments. The main character Alice did start to grate my nerves but after finishing it, I wouldn't have it any other way. Replace her with a perfect character and it would not have had the same effect. She needed to be an imperfect teenager who still acted rashly from time to time. If you're interested in class power dynamics or even slight racism intentional or unintentional and how it makes us feel this one had it all.
I don't want to give plot lines away, or secrets within secrets out... So I'll say if you liked adult books With this Kiss, or In Five Years, it's similar to them in terms of contemporary fiction with fantastical or supernatural elements. Just a bit less romance. In terms of YA, perhaps if you enjoyed The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling this would be a good one to pick up.
~~~
I thought from the blurb this was a little interesting and would be a fun quick read. Life drama with some fantasy elements thrown in. A little like With this Kiss, I guess?
And in most respects it was, quick yes, fun? Funny is probably the better word, as it went deep and dark and fast paced more than I expected but had laugh out loud moments. The main character Alice did start to grate my nerves but after finishing it, I wouldn't have it any other way. Replace her with a perfect character and it would not have had the same effect. She needed to be an imperfect teenager who still acted rashly from time to time. If you're interested in class power dynamics or even slight racism intentional or unintentional and how it makes us feel this one had it all.
I don't want to give plot lines away, or secrets within secrets out... So I'll say if you liked adult books With this Kiss, or In Five Years, it's similar to them in terms of contemporary fiction with fantastical or supernatural elements. Just a bit less romance. In terms of YA, perhaps if you enjoyed The Surprising Power of a Good Dumpling this would be a good one to pick up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Classism, Stalking, Racism, and Kidnapping
Minor: Hate crime, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
need a henry in my life
so many things are left unanswered, like why anna became invisible and why it just conveniently stopped? also unclear why her aunt was so cryptic. it was made to sound like a plot point but at the end of the day it meant nothing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexual violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Alcohol, Confinement, Hate crime, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Medical content