Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

21 reviews

katierobertsonshaddix's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Drug use, Physical abuse, Cultural appropriation, Blood, Murder, Death, War, Xenophobia, Violence, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse

alizirrah's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Gorgeously evocative - vicious and incisive and subversive in the best possible ways. Each sentence felt so precise and surprising, like no word was wasted or out of place. I loved how everyone was casually queer and messily all in each other's business.

So why did it take me over 2 months to read this fairly short novel? I could not tell you. Possibly it was because it often took a lot of concentration to follow and parse each sentence's meaning, and when I tend to read before bed, this would lead to me nodding off after only reading a few pages. There were a few times that the story suddenly slipped into a flashback and I wasn't sure what time the scene took place, and other times I *thought* we had flashed back but then that scene actually had been current.

But it is an absolutely gorgeous book overall. The magical elements were fascinating and very memorable. I found this parallel universe 1920's U.S. very compelling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Drug use, Infidelity, and Car accident

Moderate: Alcohol, Xenophobia, Abortion, Racism, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

rachel17's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I’m stunningly confused about this book. I detest The Great Gatsby, and I was surprised that this book was an alternate telling of the same story, from the perspective of Jordan. Honestly, this felt like two stories smashed together, and I desperately would have preferred to read the mystical, profound exploration of queer and Asian American identity, without any of the Gatsby aspects.
The writing was exceptionally beautiful, and I very much want to read other books by this author.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Vomit

scifi_rat's review against another edition

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Alcohol

Minor: Abortion, Classism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Drug use, Homophobia, War, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, and Violence

madamenovelist's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Gore, Death, Death of parent, Classism, Car accident, Blood, Alcohol, Abortion, Violence, Cursing, Alcoholism, Xenophobia, Trafficking, Homophobia, Grief, and Drug use

kodiex's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Vomit, Xenophobia, Car accident, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism

Minor: Violence, Sexual content, and War

marleywrites's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I wasn’t a huge fan of the original Great Gatsby story, so I’m not sure what drew me to try this novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I appreciated the queer representation and that different people of color were in the book. 

I was often left hoping for more of Jordan’s story, and was instead getting Daisy’s, which I didn’t care for much but again, what else could I expect in a retelling? I thought Jordan was well written, a complex and intelligent character. I wish we had spent more time with her backstory. I felt she was often too forgiving of Daisy, but I suppose that’s the point- everyone loves Daisy. 

Things I liked about the novel include the queer representation, the way they were all interconnected (read: sleeping with) to each other, and the description of the parties & outfits, and the magic. 

I wish we could see more of Jordan on the cover. I wish I could have seen her in her outfit choices. I loved reading about them. 

Overall, I rated this book a 3.5/5. I wish the relationship with Kai had been more explored, and I wish I had gotten a better description of the magic Jordan and others can reform. It felt like an area that could have been expanded upon. The book was a bit slow, but the vibes were great so it was alright. I listened to this story on audiobook and it kept me engaged. 

Spoiler

I felt like the ending took me by surprise. I felt like it undid Jordan’s character arc. I didn’t see it coming it felt confusing as she’d just harped on Daisy for murdering the woman. I’m just confused by it I think…?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Alcohol, Infidelity, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Abortion, and Racism

Minor: Suicide and Gun violence

Racism is from external sources as well as internalized.

whatkathrynreads_'s review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: Sexual content and Violence

octopus_farmer's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I don’t remember specifics of The Great Gatsby’s language to comment on it as an adaptation, but I thought the book was great. At first the Gatsby stuff seemed the weakest, but it came around. I was surprised by certain plot points and not by others, but it was a fun intrigue and glamour. I would reread.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Racism

Moderate: Homophobia, Abortion, Violence, and Car accident

Minor: War and Vomit

cozyscones's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Car accident, and Alcohol

Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, Classism, Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Abortion, and Blood