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A review by btwnprintedpgs
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Y'all, prepare to be sick of me because I am absolutely obsessed with this book. I thought I was feral for This Time It's Real, but this book may have just topped it for me. I Am Not Jessica Chan is a book for every person who's ever thought the grass is greener on the other side, anyone who's ever experienced visceral wanting, and anyone who's currently dealing with gifted kid burnout.
Jenna has always compared herself, and been compared by everyone else, to her cousin Jessica. Whenever she does well, Jessica does better, and Jessica is lauded for it. Always in her shadow, Jenna wants after everything Jessica has - smarts, recognition, admiration of their peers, and the effortless grace and beauty Jessica exudes. So when she wishes upon shooting star to BE Jessica Chen, she gets her wish. She wakes up in Jessica's body. However, Jessica's picture perfect life isn't what it seems and as Jenna learns more about Jessica, and the longer she's apart from her own self, she starts to realize that maybe it's not all sunshine and roses being Jessica Chen.
I absolutely loved the character development in this story - we get to spend time in Jenna's POV, but also get to understand Jessica better as Jenna lives her life. It puts everything into such perspective, from the Chinese family life, to gifted kid burnout, to the fleeting feeling of success and clout. I found it so interesting to learn about two very different characters in this way and Ann Liang's writing supported this type of character development so well.
And it wouldn't be an Ann Liang book without the MMC yearning after our MC. I loved Aaron Cai so much. He surprised me. Where he starts the book kind of disconnected from both Jenna and Jessica, I easily fell in love to him as he opened up more to Jenna and showed his vulnerable side. I need a man to love me like Aaron Cai, because damn if he's not one of my favourite Ann Liang characters to date.
With a hint of Freaky Friday, a dash of The Picture of Dorian Gray, a slice of filial piety, and self-discovery mixed with love, and you have I Am Not Jessica Chen. An absolute masterpiece that will speak to stressed Asian kids everywhere. I am obsessed.
TW: racism, micro-agressions, injury detail, burnout
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
eARC gifted via Edelweiss by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
Jenna has always compared herself, and been compared by everyone else, to her cousin Jessica. Whenever she does well, Jessica does better, and Jessica is lauded for it. Always in her shadow, Jenna wants after everything Jessica has - smarts, recognition, admiration of their peers, and the effortless grace and beauty Jessica exudes. So when she wishes upon shooting star to BE Jessica Chen, she gets her wish. She wakes up in Jessica's body. However, Jessica's picture perfect life isn't what it seems and as Jenna learns more about Jessica, and the longer she's apart from her own self, she starts to realize that maybe it's not all sunshine and roses being Jessica Chen.
I absolutely loved the character development in this story - we get to spend time in Jenna's POV, but also get to understand Jessica better as Jenna lives her life. It puts everything into such perspective, from the Chinese family life, to gifted kid burnout, to the fleeting feeling of success and clout. I found it so interesting to learn about two very different characters in this way and Ann Liang's writing supported this type of character development so well.
And it wouldn't be an Ann Liang book without the MMC yearning after our MC. I loved Aaron Cai so much. He surprised me. Where he starts the book kind of disconnected from both Jenna and Jessica, I easily fell in love to him as he opened up more to Jenna and showed his vulnerable side. I need a man to love me like Aaron Cai, because damn if he's not one of my favourite Ann Liang characters to date.
With a hint of Freaky Friday, a dash of The Picture of Dorian Gray, a slice of filial piety, and self-discovery mixed with love, and you have I Am Not Jessica Chen. An absolute masterpiece that will speak to stressed Asian kids everywhere. I am obsessed.
TW: racism, micro-agressions, injury detail, burnout
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
eARC gifted via Edelweiss by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Injury/Injury detail