tearswans's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
flowerbridetale's review against another edition
5.0
i finished this book at 5am and cried so many times,, my eyes will probably look puffy for a few hours but no regrets!!!!
alle_kat97's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
jakeyjake's review against another edition
Not as exciting as the first book in the duology for me, but still a fun quick YA read. Just kind of a redux, but in Shanghai this time.
taliatalksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.0
“Ruse” is the perfect sequel to Cindy Pon’s “Want.” I enjoyed both of these books, and while the sequel might not have been as great as the first book, this story takes on important topics such as corporate greed and environmentalism. Glossing over romance (don’t worry, there is still a little bit if you’re a fan) and focusing on trust and friendship was a bold move for this YA novel, but in my opinion, it paid off. It’s casual romance and LGBTQ+ characters don’t distract from the plot, and all the relationship feel natural and earned. No tokens here! Also, if you’re someone who is sick of YA novels (or stories in general) taking place in NYC or LA, look no further—not only does this story avoid those cities, but it avoids the US setting all together by allowing you to experience the city of Taipei. These books are truly a breath of fresh air if you’re an avid YA reader like myself. I highly recommend checking out this series—you won’t regret it! “Ruse” earns itself a great rating.
books4days's review against another edition
3.0
Much like the first book in this duology, I love the setting (this time - Shanghai!) but AGAIN this book starts out by fridging a main character (another nonwhite female scientist too!), and this was actually spoiled by the inside flap, which was disappointing, even though it happened almost immediately. I liked the big con/cat & mouse game/heist dynamic of this book even more than the first (probably because it was a bigger part of this book). If you liked the first book, I'd recommend this as a follow-up, but this has many of the same issues the first suffered from, but it was nonetheless a quick, enjoyable read. I liked the cool cast of Asian characters and the LGBT representation, and the addition of a second narrator for this book.
shadyeglenn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25