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anewton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.75
A beautifully written book, that tackles some heavy themes in a tactful, powerful way. Awkwardly accurate teenagers, with the side trope of romance. Only gets points off due to the practical nature of the magic realism however a great, easy read otherwise.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Racism
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
city_girl_writer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
This was a really fun but emotional read. One can empathize with Alice on her reasons to monetize her powers like this. The ending was quite satisfying on dealing with the consequences. It is not a full 5-star read because she was a little too oblivious for me. Nonetheless, I am glad I gave this book a second chance via audio instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement and Racism
Minor: Alcohol
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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: Classism, Hate crime, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism, Confinement, and Infidelity
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
cameronreads's review against another edition
2.5
I read this book as a break between high fantasies and I think it worked well for that. It was a fun easy read, despite its important discussions of elitism in private education, and enjoyable enough. I think our main character really felt like a teenager in her thought processes and decision making and I really enjoyed that - it made the book feel very realistic. I could feel her growing throughout the book and starting to realise that she was just a kid as well, although this was subtle. The other characters didn’t have quite as much depth though - Henry especially felt like he’d do anything the main character asked and was just kind of magically there whenever he was needed, making him feel more like a tool for the plot than a fleshed out character. I did like the concept of the romance between them; academic rivals to lovers is always fun, but because Henry was just kind of down for whatever the main character needed the tension was really only felt from Alice’s side.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Blood and Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse, Racism, Alcohol, and Hate crime
janaeb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Graphic: Racism
dianavdavidson_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
2.0
The premise is interesting, but I wasn’t satisfied with not knowing where the invisibility powers come from, or why Alice is literally the only one in the story world who has a superpower. I didn’t find the rivals-to-lovers arc (one-sided) particularly believable but I do nonetheless ship Henry and Alice (I wanted more! Too little, too late). Listening to the audiobook made the book sound thrilling, I’ll give you that. And the descriptions of Beijing were amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Racism, Stalking, Confinement, and Violence
Minor: Blood and Emotional abuse
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
this was so so so good. thoroughly enjoyed reading every second of this that i actually couldn't put it down, and i need more alice and henry content immediately. i'm not sure i'm happy with the ending, but regardless it was quite satisfying anyway
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Classism, and Hate crime
Moderate: Racism, Infidelity, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol and Toxic relationship
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
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
This was an amazing blend of contemporary and speculative fiction, examining classism and privilege and questions of right and wrong.
Alice isn’t perfect and doesn’t always make good choices, but the story shows that it’s not always easy or even possible to do the right thing, nor is it always clear what the right thing even is.
Alice isn’t perfect and doesn’t always make good choices, but the story shows that it’s not always easy or even possible to do the right thing, nor is it always clear what the right thing even is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Infidelity, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Hate crime
bloodbrooxv's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- 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
super fast and fun read, i really liked the romance although i think there were major plot holes regarding alice's invisibility powers: the fantasy elements felt very vague and sometimes out of place in the context of the story
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Classism, Racism, and Child abuse