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delbz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Rape
kkpines's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A masterful depiction of how guilt can drive a person to self-destruction, a descent as grotesque as it is addictive—I just couldn't look away.
I found myself itching at June to quit – as she pushed on, trapped in a performance, unable to differentiate between where her skin ends and Athena’s begins.
The suspense escalates beautifully, only to fizzle at the end. June escapes relatively unscathed, raising questions about accountability – a detail that resonates as a commentary on her white privilege and the publishing industry's neglect of minority voices.
I found myself itching at June to quit – as she pushed on, trapped in a performance, unable to differentiate between where her skin ends and Athena’s begins.
The suspense escalates beautifully, only to fizzle at the end. June escapes relatively unscathed, raising questions about accountability – a detail that resonates as a commentary on her white privilege and the publishing industry's neglect of minority voices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and War
Moderate: Alcohol and Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent, Sexual assault, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts
fory0ursake's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cultural appropriation, Bullying, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
shobhana's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Rape, Death of parent, Bullying, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Eating disorder
danieladas8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
I was so annoyed and disgusted with the main character that more than once I wanted to punch her or through the book across the room, and for that I know I love the story and its characters.
They are so well constructed, they’re raw, emotional, flawed and even when you hate them, you get them and pity them.
The story in itself is so unique and well thought out, I’m glad I had the chance to cleansed my reader palette with something so different. Its writing is messy, confusing and at the same time well paced and transparent. It’s a reflection of its protagonist complexities and state of mind. Which, I believe, also showcases, and I’m not sure how accurately, the mischievous and derogating publishing industry and world we live in.
Thank you, R. Kuang, for such an interesting and exciting narrative.
They are so well constructed, they’re raw, emotional, flawed and even when you hate them, you get them and pity them.
The story in itself is so unique and well thought out, I’m glad I had the chance to cleansed my reader palette with something so different. Its writing is messy, confusing and at the same time well paced and transparent. It’s a reflection of its protagonist complexities and state of mind. Which, I believe, also showcases, and I’m not sure how accurately, the mischievous and derogating publishing industry and world we live in.
Thank you, R. Kuang, for such an interesting and exciting narrative.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Colonisation, Xenophobia, Bullying, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Rape, and War
Minor: Suicide, Dementia, Sexual violence, and Self harm
courtneys_reading's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The writing style of this one had me hooked from the get-go but honestly by the end I just wanted it to be over lol
I think I was expecting something more from it but not sure what to be honest. I think it was interesting to know more about the publishing industry and on some level I relate to the main character and how she feels about writing but yeah overall I think the story was fine.
I think I was expecting something more from it but not sure what to be honest. I think it was interesting to know more about the publishing industry and on some level I relate to the main character and how she feels about writing but yeah overall I think the story was fine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Rape and Toxic friendship
Minor: Grief, Stalking, and War
bentenjones's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
seapenread's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
heyitsfey's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
iqrasaied123's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was so interesting to read from start to finish. The main character June, represents the white supremacy ideology so well that it was uncomfortable to read at times😂 I never thought I’d feel anger while reading a story. I will say it’s difficult to like most of the characters in the book, they all have their own reasonings for their behaviour which is valid and invalid at the same time (of course June had a victim complex so not her💀)
At times I did think the book was slow paced but it fit the context of the book as it’s written in Junes POV and shows the complexities of being an author.
The ending caught me off guard, i had a feeling Candice would return after being fired. She was very clever on how to get revenge for June basically making her homeless. Overall, I enjoyed the book and liked how it spoke about tokenism. It shows the effects of racism from the victim and oppressor
At times I did think the book was slow paced but it fit the context of the book as it’s written in Junes POV and shows the complexities of being an author.
The ending caught me off guard, i had a feeling Candice would return after being fired. She was very clever on how to get revenge for June basically making her homeless. Overall, I enjoyed the book and liked how it spoke about tokenism. It shows the effects of racism from the victim and oppressor
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Rape
Moderate: Alcohol and Bullying