djpizza's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Cursing, and Rape
Minor: Addiction and Cultural appropriation
melindagallagher's review against another edition
4.0
Yang pulls from her own experiences to write this YA debut. This is the serious side to Crazy Rich Asians. It also is a very honest look at class, race, and toxic masculinity. There are many things to discuss in this book, including bullying, sexual assault, as well as race and class. A great addition to our Asian collection and #ME TOO collection.
janna710's review against another edition
4.0
I randomly picked up Parachutes from the library and I really enjoyed it! I loved the parallels between Dani and Claire and enjoyed them both as characters. I didn't know anything about "Parachutes" before this, which made it interesting and engaging. The book did feel lengthy and there were a few too many side storylines happening that detracted from the focus. I liked the meandering day-to-day look into Dani and Claire's worlds, but by the end of the book it got a bit tiresome and I was confused why some plots felt drawn out while others felt rushed.
aniamaciejewska's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lanstov's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
3.5
themagicviolinist's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5
First off, I want to say that this story is HUGELY important for all of the representation it has and the topics it deals with: Asian culture, what it's like to be Asian in the United States, socioeconomic issues, sexual assault and the #MeToo movement, etc. So many important things were talked about in a really great way (and this is an #OwnVoices story!). But the way that message was delivered didn't totally work for me. The book was long, way longer than your usual contemporary, and it could've benefited from some trimming. The real meat of the story didn't start until at least halfway through the book. I enjoyed Dani as a narrator, but I didn't like Claire for the longest time (that said, she does go through some nice character development), so it made her chapters hard to read. And I couldn't stand any of the male characters in this book, even the ones I was supposed to like. It would've been better if the assholes had been assholes and the allies/more supportive male characters were actually nice. Honestly, 90% of the characters in this book were problematic and unlikable, which always makes it hard for me to get into the story. There was also a lot of "telling" in the first person narration rather than showing the characters' emotions. But, all that aside, this book still has an excellent message that deserves to be told and I hope everyone who needs to hear this story finds it! I'm sure a lot of people can identify with the problems the characters face and feel validated by it.
First off, I want to say that this story is HUGELY important for all of the representation it has and the topics it deals with: Asian culture, what it's like to be Asian in the United States, socioeconomic issues, sexual assault and the #MeToo movement, etc. So many important things were talked about in a really great way (and this is an #OwnVoices story!). But the way that message was delivered didn't totally work for me. The book was long, way longer than your usual contemporary, and it could've benefited from some trimming. The real meat of the story didn't start until at least halfway through the book. I enjoyed Dani as a narrator, but I didn't like Claire for the longest time (that said, she does go through some nice character development), so it made her chapters hard to read. And I couldn't stand any of the male characters in this book, even the ones I was supposed to like. It would've been better if the assholes had been assholes and the allies/more supportive male characters were actually nice. Honestly, 90% of the characters in this book were problematic and unlikable, which always makes it hard for me to get into the story. There was also a lot of "telling" in the first person narration rather than showing the characters' emotions. But, all that aside, this book still has an excellent message that deserves to be told and I hope everyone who needs to hear this story finds it! I'm sure a lot of people can identify with the problems the characters face and feel validated by it.
fell4's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
casnv's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pib003's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I'm blown away. This is my first time experiencing Kelly Yang outside of middle grade fiction, and I think I might like her YA stuff even more!
Yang tackled a lot of issues in this book, and I loved how they all tied back to the same solution- speak your truth and find your support system. I felt empowered by this story and I hope many others do as well.
Yang tackled a lot of issues in this book, and I loved how they all tied back to the same solution- speak your truth and find your support system. I felt empowered by this story and I hope many others do as well.