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A review by alexalala
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Juniper Hayward is a failed author and a college friend of Athena Liu, a publishing darling who is highly successful and critically acclaimed. When Athena dies in a freak accident, Juniper steals her unfinished manuscript and publishes it as her own to big accolades. But as her secret threatens to come out, June starts to unravel.
The Good: I loved this book so much I read it in a day. Its pace never lets up and it feels like it's meant to be devoured. Kuang has a greatly honed craft and a big message about who is allowed to tell stories. Every character in this book is morally grey, even the victim herself, which added so much depth. It's a huge indictment of the publishing industry and was a pleasure to read, even if I thoroughly hated the main character and narrator.
The Meh: I really don't have any complaints about this book. Perhaps some of the writing was heavy handed but I didn't find this to be an issue for me.
The Verdict: You will like this book if you like deep questioning, unlikeable MCs, fast paced books, horror like intensity, and the publishing industry.
The Good: I loved this book so much I read it in a day. Its pace never lets up and it feels like it's meant to be devoured. Kuang has a greatly honed craft and a big message about who is allowed to tell stories. Every character in this book is morally grey, even the victim herself, which added so much depth. It's a huge indictment of the publishing industry and was a pleasure to read, even if I thoroughly hated the main character and narrator.
The Meh: I really don't have any complaints about this book. Perhaps some of the writing was heavy handed but I didn't find this to be an issue for me.
The Verdict: You will like this book if you like deep questioning, unlikeable MCs, fast paced books, horror like intensity, and the publishing industry.