The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
emilywemily6's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Classism, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Death, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Torture, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, War, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Child death, Sexual content, Child abuse, and Homophobia
thegreatelise's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The writing was amazing, Chloe Gong is incredible, the plot was super interesting and the tension so well displayed.
I love the relationship between the characters but not just the main couple but between every characters.
This duology truly was an adventure.
I don't know why I was not expecting them to die at the end, it is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, of course they would die, but it still somehow surprised me. But I like the fact that it is still a bit blurry wether they are dead or not.
Their improvised wedding got me kicking my feet, Roma's vows?? What a man.
Marshall and Benedikt own my heart, I've been waiting for them to confess for so long and it didn't disappoint.
I love how in love Roma and Juliette are and how they are everything to each other, it made my heart beat so fast, they are my fav book couple for a reason.
When it was near the end and they were trying to escape I almost forgot about the madness until the final scene when the insects came out, because their romance and despair was all I had in my mind.
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Genocide
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
prashiie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This story too shows similarities with Shakespeareâs Romeo and Juliet. I donât want to spoil it, so youâll see when you read it. Just read itâŚ!
âI take you, Juliette Cai,â Roma whispered in concentration, âto be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, untilâŚâ He looked up as he finished the knot. Paused. When he spoke again, he did not look away. "No, scratch that. To have and to hold, where even death cannot part us. In this life and the next, for however long our souls remain, mine will always find yours. Those are my vows to you.â
Graphic: Deadnaming, Colonisation, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, and Xenophobia
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Suicide, Classism, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
moonchild_cos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Death, Violence, Torture, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Confinement, War, Alcohol, Murder, Gore, Genocide, and Colonisation
Minor: Body horror, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Classism
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Murder, War, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide
cyndi1966's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Classism and Colonisation
jaja_1212's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Torture
jessiereads98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.
The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story wouldâve felt more complete, and she wouldâve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.
Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. Thereâs metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isnât enough to make the entire book off-putting.
Graphic: Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Gore, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Confinement, Grief, Body horror, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: War, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Suicide, Abandonment, Homophobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexism