kitza2000'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
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Racial slurs
Minor: Child abuse
knockoffrainbow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Alcohol, Biphobia, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Child abuse, Classism, Gaslighting, Racism, Hate crime, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: War, Abortion, Deportation, and Alcohol
dragon_lord'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
3.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Outing, Toxic friendship, War, Abandonment, Violence, and Death
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, Child abuse, Excrement, and Pregnancy
megelizabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Graphic: War, Child abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
ringofkeyz's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Child abuse
admunro20'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
5.0
Graphic: Outing, Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Bullying
Minor: Deportation and Domestic abuse
rinku'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
4.0
Spoiler
everything happening is just terrible and my heart ached so much for Lily; it’s so sad how homophobic everyone is and that not even her aunt accepts herSpoiler
quite open and still sad in my opinion because Lily and Kath still have to hide their relationship. Considering the time period, I expected no happy ending from the beginning but still, it’s so sadGraphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Deportation, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Miscarriage, and Police brutality
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Transphobia
lizziaha's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Deportation and Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Sexual harassment
quillreads'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
4.75
Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Cultural appropriation, Child abuse, Outing, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage, Classism, Deportation, and Drug use
emfass'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
5.0
I also ended up loving the interludes where Lo added chapters from the point of view of Lily's parents and aunt, to give voice to the many ways immigration, racism, and living a life spanning multiple cultures affects people.
I deeply appreciate the way Malinda Lo incorporated so much research as well as inspiration from her own family to create such a realistic, respectful view into San Francisco's Chinatown in the 1950s. I also loved reading her Author's Note at the end, which gave historical context to so much of the story.
I listened to this on audio and narrator Emily Woo Zeller was wonderful.
This is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2023.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Abandonment, Child abuse, Police brutality, Sexual content, Deportation, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and War
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Miscarriage, and Body horror