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beckyyreadss'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: Bullying and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Xenophobia, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, Dementia, and Sexual harassment
abitbetterbooks'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
4.0
Bonus points for having an awesome character who shared my name! I never get to read about Marikos!
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, Sexism, Dementia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
If you enjoyed the film version of The Princess Diaries, then you'll probably enjoy this because the premise is very similar.
The MC, Izumi, felt narratively younger than she actually was - it was only when she was talking about more complex concepts that I realised she was supposed to be about 18 or so.
I felt like the
I enjoyed the visit to Kyoto, and there were interesting discussions around the idea of belonging and identlty - Izumi, though she is of Japanese heritage, was raised in a very white area of the US and has very little knowledge of her own culture. Her eventual realisation that
I also felt like Emiko Jean could have gone deeper into the role that class and privilege played in Japanese society in terms of the Japanese people's attitude to the royal family's higher status and wealth, though I admit that I'm coming at this from a Western perspective and may sound ignorant as a result.
In short, this was fun and light-hearted - but it could have been more.
Graphic: Bullying and Xenophobia
Moderate: Dementia and Alcohol
Minor: Mental illness and War
krystalframe's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Bullying and Racism
Minor: Dementia
agateg'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? It's complicated
5.0
Izumi Tanaka has never really felt like she fit in—it isn’t easy being Japanese American in her small, mostly white, northern California town. Raised by a single mother, it’s always been Izzy, her nickname, because “It’s easier this way”, and her mom against the world. But then Izzy discovers a clue to her unknown father’s identity, and he’s none other than the Crown Prince of Japan. Which means Izzy is a princess. Izzy soon finds herself caught between worlds, and between versions of herself—back home, she was never “American” enough, and in Japan, she must prove she’s “Japanese” enough. Will Izumi crumble under the weight of the crown, or will she live out her fairytale, happily ever after?
This was such a lovely story. I fell wholeheartedly in love with Izumi almost immediately. I think this was a very touching story full of self-discovery. I cannot comment on the accuracy of the portrayed Japanese culture because it is not my own, nor do I share the same main identity struggles as Izumi, but the story did make me fall in love with the Japan Izumi saw and it will definitely be moved up my dream destinations. The story touched me in so many tender ways, her discovering her dad and forming a relationship with him brought tears to my eyes multiple times. I felt the love through the pages, the familial love that makes a person's heart full. My favourite man Akio was such a delight to get to know, the tenderness of his feelings for Izumi were swoon-worthy and delicately described. And my best princess Izumi was such an inspiration, I so deeply felt everything she felt. I was so proud of her progress and hard work, I liked how she learnt to embrace all sides of herself. I loved Izumi and Akio's chemistry and I can't wait to read what the second book has in store for them. They deserve all the love in the world.
Graphic: Bullying and Classism
Moderate: Cursing and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Dementia
georginainvisablestring22'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
3.5
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Infidelity and Dementia
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: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Medical content, Dementia, and Car accident
aus10england'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
3.0
Moderate: Xenophobia and Toxic friendship
Minor: Dementia
negs's review
- 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
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Dementia
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: Racism, Sexism, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Dementia, and Sexual harassment