Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by gabbiesreadingcorner
Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee
3.0
The more I kept reading this book, the more I thought about Miss S (which I highly recommend by the way, it’s on HBO Max) with how the crime was set up and how specifically Gemma reminded me of Wen Li. Always poking her nose in places she shouldn’t be in and still making some progress. Even when it makes the inspector or in this case for Gemma, May upset.
I loved our main girls. Despite their flaws that kind of annoyed me sometimes and had me scared, there was something I loved about both of them. Like I loved how even though May didn’t want to do certain stuff, she still did it cause at the end of the day it was for Lulu, and as for Gemma, I loved that not only did she care for her family, but she cared for her community and even the people who were part of it.
Now on to the nitpicky parts…
I kind of wished that we got more from Peony. I get it she’s 12, but I thought we were going to get more from her and she would do more. I also thought that some parts at the end were wrapped up too quickly or weren’t resolved. I would’ve liked to know if the girls’ father was getting better. They kind of mentioned how he was doing but based on the description we were given, I can’t tell if it means he was or he wasn’t. I also would’ve liked to see the romance with May and Wallace get resolved as it didn’t due to future events.
Overall, I liked this book. I think Stacey Lee captured what the 30s looked like and how it opened up a broader perspective as to how Chinese Americans were treated at the time. The Downstairs Girl has been on my wishlist for some time and I hope to still get around to reading that book.
Edit: Rounded down to a three star. I want to touch back on certain things not being resolved in the sense that there were two moments in the book that weren’t explained. There was a moment where Lulu’s scripts were taken and another moment where May’s scripts have been defaced with the words “you’re next” on them, but it’s never said who took Lulu’s scripts and who vandalized May’s script?? I know it wasn’t Mrs. Fox because there was never a mention of her being at the set and she doesn’t even say it herself. Definitely a plot hole.
I loved our main girls. Despite their flaws that kind of annoyed me sometimes and had me scared, there was something I loved about both of them. Like I loved how even though May didn’t want to do certain stuff, she still did it cause at the end of the day it was for Lulu, and as for Gemma, I loved that not only did she care for her family, but she cared for her community and even the people who were part of it.
Now on to the nitpicky parts…
I kind of wished that we got more from Peony. I get it she’s 12, but I thought we were going to get more from her and she would do more. I also thought that some parts at the end were wrapped up too quickly or weren’t resolved. I would’ve liked to know if the girls’ father was getting better. They kind of mentioned how he was doing but based on the description we were given, I can’t tell if it means he was or he wasn’t. I also would’ve liked to see the romance with May and Wallace get resolved as it didn’t due to future events.
Overall, I liked this book. I think Stacey Lee captured what the 30s looked like and how it opened up a broader perspective as to how Chinese Americans were treated at the time. The Downstairs Girl has been on my wishlist for some time and I hope to still get around to reading that book.
Edit: Rounded down to a three star. I want to touch back on certain things not being resolved in the sense that there were two moments in the book that weren’t explained. There was a moment where Lulu’s scripts were taken and another moment where May’s scripts have been defaced with the words “you’re next” on them, but it’s never said who took Lulu’s scripts and who vandalized May’s script?? I know it wasn’t Mrs. Fox because there was never a mention of her being at the set and she doesn’t even say it herself. Definitely a plot hole.