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sunflowersarepretty's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Minor: Misogyny, Bullying, Car accident, Death, Mental illness, Dementia, Infidelity, and Medical content
marjokat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.75
Graphic: Bullying and Misogyny
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Racism, Vomit, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
linesiunderline'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? No
4.25
Izumi was funny, complicated, relatable, and real. I loved the Lorelai / Rory feel of her relationship with her mom, and her friendships were full of love and inside jokes and support.
I didn’t read The Princess Diaries as a kid, but I watched the movies in my younger adult years, so I can see that the comparison is fitting.
I appreciated the exploration of identity and culture and personal history, and how these things merge in a complicated way for many teenagers, trying to find their place and a sense of self.
I hadn’t expected the sense of place to be so beautifully written. I love that in a book. Reading this made me bump Japan up on my someday travel list.
Some events relied too much on coincidence, and some of the secondary characters weren’t especially developed (the shining twins for instance), but the whole experience was just a delight, and I will be preordering the sequel that comes out in 2022. Spoiler alert: it’s also gorgeous.
Graphic: Alcohol, Bullying, Dementia, and Racism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content
aargot1's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Dementia, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Stalking
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After living 18 years without knowledge of her father, Izumi stumbles upon a note in her mother's room that reveals her father is crown prince of Japan, and she is secretly a princess. When her father finds out, she is invited on a trip to Tokyo and has a whirlwind two weeks trying to discover who she is.
This book was very adorable. I seriously love Izumi as a main character. She is so funny, and bold, and interesting to read about. I loved her personality, and that was definitely my favorite part of this book. I also really enjoyed how everything happened with her family. We were able to see Izzy's struggles to fit in, the way she was tried and tested, and her spirit and attitude to never give up even when it got rough! I really loved that.
I honestly didn't think this book needed a romance sub-plot. The romance was cute enough, but I thought the characters didn't have enough time together to really develop that relationship enough to make it worth it. I would have enjoyed this book more if the romance was left out and it really just focused on her family and culture and friends instead.
All in all, a great read! And the narration is excellent.
Pub Date: May 18, 2021
Moderate: Dementia, Bullying, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism