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littlelizzieborden's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Stalking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ottercorg'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It was interesting to peak into a culture I know very little about. It's always comforting to read stories that take place in Southern California - it brings a sense of familiarity.
But the writing is not very strong. There are too many characters to keep track of, too many lives to follow, too...much. I really wanted to enjoy it but I just found myself waiting for it to end.
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Colonisation
bookmaddie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Pregnancy
redvelveting's review against another edition
2.5
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, and Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Incest, Colonisation, War, and Classism
thebookwormmum's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
btwnprintedpgs's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
There were a lot of characters to keep track of - one grandmother, four sisters, and eight grown children - and while at time it was a bit disorienting keeping track of them all, the author did a great job reiterating who they were and how they fit out in the family, as well as showing their personality and dreams during their chapters. I loved how each one took away something different from their mothers, their lives influenced by moments or parents quotes that haunt them - it really showed how the past really does affect present mentality. It made it easy to understand why they were the way they were and how they were trying to get themselves out of the cycle and break it. I loved everyone's growth through the novel, and I found it amazing that we got to see them all grow and change in such a short time, but also in such a (mostly, helped by a bit of myth and magic) realistic way.
I also love the dynamics within the community - the gossiping, the meddling, the overlapping yelling, but also the "we protect out own" mentality. I adored the little twists and turns of characters surprising us, as well as the absolute chaos of family as they talk over each other and try to one-up on another. Even when everyone was mad, there was always an undercurrent of love and warmth that really sold them as a family.
There is one relationship I wish we had had more closure with, mostly cause it gave me some magical jeebies. IYKYK. Otherwise, I love how all the threads came together in the end and we get to see the fruits of the characters' love for each other and their family as they forge a new story for themselves.
This is definitely one of my favourite reads of the year. Absolutely amazing.
TW: death of a parent, pregnancy, infidelity, racism, micro-agressions, body shaming, fatphobia (Asian-style), medical content, sexual harassment; mentions miscarriage, HP references
Graphic: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Racism, Medical content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Miscarriage
ittywitty'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
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
ktv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Body shaming, Incest, Miscarriage, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
bookbuyingwithkatie'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
4.0
Moderate: Pregnancy