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madmadmaddymad'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
My favorite character was Jess, but I felt for her family. The fear of having a father in remission from cancer, and how hard he has to work. The shame of having a secret girlfriend and being uncomfortable coming out. The attitude of family in this novel was all too real. It was cultural for me, but I’m not Asian, so I liked being immersed in a different culture and family dynamic.
Loved the ghost and god aspect - I started feeling really fired up when the Black Water Sister was punishing the labor workers for defiling her land - when they were just trying to make a living. She ought to go after Ng Chee Hin, since it was his holding ordering the landscaping and construction. I agree with Jess, when she said it is the whole business of gods to be fair.
Moderate: Sexual violence, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Rape, Violence, and Outing
anarmandameg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cancer, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Torture, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, Outing, and Sexual harassment
thestarlesscasea'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
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Outing
abijmieds'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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Outing
lilifane'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
First of all, this is definitely not YA. I don't even know why I thought it was? And then after a lighthearted and funny beginning, the story gets pretty dark and intense and violent. But also in a good way. I really liked the characters, the protagonist was very relatable, the dynamics between her and the ghost hilarious. The writing style, especially the dialogues, might need some time to get used when you're not the child of immigrants. But since I am, it felt familiar (even if the languages are totally different in my case).
Loved the atmosphere and how ghosts, spirits and gods played such a big part in the plot and every day life of the characters. Also, loved the themes that were explored in a raw and brutal way. Like having an identity crisis, being torn between your family and your own life, coming out to a traditional Chinese family, violence against women, sexism, generational trauma, unresolved hate and revenge. But there are some hard scenes towards the end, so I recommend checking trigger warnings.
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Outing
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Car accident, Murder, Pregnancy, and Outing
imaginingly'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: Gore, Rape, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Pregnancy, Outing, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
anaccbram'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
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Murder, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
traa'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
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Outing
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, Vomit, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Xenophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Stalking, and Pregnancy
marysespieces'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Blood and Outing
Minor: Cancer and Injury/Injury detail
piphux's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Homophobia
Minor: Cancer, Racism, and Outing