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killerpancake's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
This one hits so hard. I have to spoiler tag what I loved though because it's a bit spoilery. I would recommend going in knowing as little as possible.
The author weaves the themes of language and communication so deftly in this book. Knowing how damaging it is to people who live without the ability to communicate and the tangable damage it does slices my heart into peaces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Rape and War
annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
i loved the narration. i understand why it isn't for everyone, but my brain works in the same way so i felt at home. i also appreciated how this book advocated much more strongly for the humanity of its characters with disabilities than Miracle Creek (Angie Kim's debut novel) did. and that it took place during covid times. my main issues were that, compared to Miracle Creek, the plot:
- wasn't as gripping. it started to drag three-fourths of the way through, and i got fed up with all the cheap foreshadowing of the form "looking back, i wish [x] hadn't happened".
- didn't feel as expertly-crafted. though i recognize that's kind of the point—
not all mysteries, especially missing person cases, have neat solutions; that's life —it was still somewhat disappointing. i'm trying tolearn the lesson Mia did and accept an open ending—i choose to believe that her and John's mind-meld recreating the accident was a display of fraternal jeong, just the tiniest bit of magical realism.
nonetheless, this has cemented Angie Kim as an author on my radar, and i'm looking forward to her next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Hate crime, Infidelity, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Car accident, Alcohol, and Deportation