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A review by idk_indigo
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

dark 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

4.75

Well I'll be damned, this book was insane. I feel like June's absolute downward spiral was so much fun to hear about, I was like, "Damn, I wonder what this bitch is gonna do next..." and truth be told, the chaos never once disappointed. I also loved the 1st-person internal monologue, how we see June try to justify every single one of each terrible, ill-rooted decision she makes. From the start of the whole mess (stealing her frenemy's manuscript) to literally everything else (including stealing a second manuscript, bullying a high school student, contemplating murder, and briefly considering arson, among other things), she just tries so hard to make herself the victim. And she even considers doing the right thing (eg., coming clean, not bullying a high school student) and every single time she's like "Hmmm, actually no, I'm going to be a menace." I ate it up.

She's such an unlikeable person & an unreliable narrator because she just never once stops assuming what other people are thinking (and it is always, always about her). Self-centered jester vibes (no slay queen girly pop for Ms. Juniper). Which I think is something all of us struggle with, and on a more intrapersonal level says a lot about how we are far more likely to react disastrously when we assume negative intent. Like, maybe June needs to remind herself that, shocking as it may be, other people are not actually thinking about her constantly? Idk, might be a little far-fetched but... 

I also loved the audiobook narrator for this; she was amazing and I think she did such a perfect job of narrating a non-self-actualized villain. Slay! Even more loved because homegirl June was so morally grey but there wasn't anything she did that was like any good at all, so like probably would've been a villain if we hadn't seen her internal narrative. 

And the insider perspective RFK has about the publishing industry, etc. lent such a great world of knowledge towards the book & Athena/June's relationship. It was also so far removed towards any of her other works (of which I've only read Babel, but would be excited to dive into The Poppy Wars) that like...omg... the talent this woman has. 
 
Not quite 5 stars because of Candice's
villainous monologue thing towards the end
cause like idk shut up... but overall I really enjoyed the book! Very fast-paced. 
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