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moonchild_cos'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? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Mass/school shootings, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Genocide, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Body horror, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism
jessiereads98'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? Yes
3.75
Chloe Gong once again nailed it with the setting and atmosphere of 1920s Shanghai. I loved how she tracked the shifting the politics and atmosphere of change. The pacing in this book is great. I also just love a fantasy novel set in or based on 1920s East Asia.
The characters were well done and compelling for the most part. I feel like we got a good amount of time with all the side characters to experience the world outside the view of the two main characters, without it feeling like it detracted from the story or was a waste of time. I actually wish we had gotten more time with Rosalind. I think the story would’ve felt more complete, and she would’ve been a great counterpoint to Juliette had she been more fleshed out. I was left with questions at the end around her character and motivations.
Once again, this book is a bit overwritten. There’s metaphors and heavy handed setting descriptions that are unnecessary. Some of the dialogue feels forced rather than natural for the characters and their setting. There are a few moments of cringe, but it isn’t enough to make the entire book off-putting.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide, Medical content, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic
ye_li's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Genocide, Gun violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent
twobyy'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Death, Sexism, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Grief
packedjam'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? Yes
4.25
it’s better than the first book.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Xenophobia, Trafficking, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
_persephone_'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? Yes
5.0
And I heard there's gonna be a spin-off duology about
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Colonisation
eddine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
lauren_miller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
overall, I find myself impressed by this debut duology, but not really interested in continuing on within the "Chloe cinematic universe." solid 4 out of 5 stars, ★★★★☆
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism
lainiereads's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
100/100 stars perfect book love u miss chloe
after reflecting i’m definitely adding this to my tops 10 books, but it is honestly in my top 3 books right now, i am in love
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Grief, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Genocide, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and War
bedtimesandbooks'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? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail