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A review by kaia_papaya
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow, okay. Bravo. What an ending.
I can't give it five stars because I almost gave up on it during the first half of the book, to be honest. Both Juniper and Athena and well, pretty much every character actually, are absolutely insufferable, and for about the first half it's mostly just listening to everyone complain. I find it hard to connect with a story if the characters are unlikable (not badly written, just unlikable). And the second-hand embarrassment is real.
Buuut I had to know what the twist was, and this book sure as hell delivers on that if you stick around.
It's VERY meta -- like, just when you think you understand the premise, R.F. Kuang peels back another layer of the inception, even in the very last page.
I can't give it five stars because I almost gave up on it during the first half of the book, to be honest. Both Juniper and Athena and well, pretty much every character actually, are absolutely insufferable, and for about the first half it's mostly just listening to everyone complain. I find it hard to connect with a story if the characters are unlikable (not badly written, just unlikable). And the second-hand embarrassment is real.
Buuut I had to know what the twist was, and this book sure as hell delivers on that if you stick around.
It's VERY meta -- like, just when you think you understand the premise, R.F. Kuang peels back another layer of the inception, even in the very last page.