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serendipity421's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use
ashbreadin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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: Child death, Death, Gun violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Murder, Alcohol, and War
aseel_reads'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? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
claudiamacpherson'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
3.0
Moderate: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Drug use, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
writingcaia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This a slow to medium paced story, anchored both in the historical events of the 20/30’s in Shangai, revolution, communists, nationalists, foreign invaders, gangsters all making the streets of the town run red with the blood of the people, and it’s also a retelling of the famous Shakespearean love tragedy Romeu and Juliet.
I’ve to say it wasn’t the easiest book to dive into, thankfully there’re the Montagov and Marsh who were all so endearing and made me keep going, eventually I came into syntony with the story albeit dreading how close to the original it would stick to.
Soon it became a riveting read and continued until the end, with plenty of bloodshed, monsters, hate, betrayal, murder, and of course love to conquer all odds.
I can’t say how close it cut to the original tale without spoilers, I can only say there’re a few plot twists related and unrelated with the Shakespearean tragedy.
Overall a 4.5⭐️ duology and if you like YA retellings, with dark mystery, gangs, history and tragedy this is for you.
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Transphobia
rebeccaxpaige's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I will not say anything else other than if you want to see what real women are made of, you must read this book. 5 of the easiest stars I gave this year.
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
sunsetcity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail