cindeeduong's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Racism, Murder, and War
martachbc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse and Murder
tarnaflake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Violence, Racism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Grief, and Hate crime
internationalreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Cursing, Violence, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Murder, Abandonment, Addiction, Classism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Racism, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Vomit, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, and Death
katarinabee'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? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Addiction, Colonisation, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
othersociologist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Minor: Child abuse, Violence, and Drug abuse
woolgatherer's review
4.0
All things considered, I thought Lien addressed these topics quite well, in the sense that none of them read as superficial or an afterthought. That being said, I think the pacing and execution of the story itself was a bit rough. It took some time to get used to the jumping back and forth between the past and present, which I felt disrupted the overall flow of the book. As a result, this affected the pacing. I didn’t feel engaged during some parts of the book, while other moments were gripping.
Ultimately, though, I think it is worth picking up this book, especially if you’re interested in reading diasporic literature that doesn’t center USians.
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, Addiction, Grief, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Drug use and Child abuse
Minor: War, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse
skyedivin'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
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Child abuse
inyourwords's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Moderate: Murder, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Addiction
bookishcori's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, and Death
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and War