natvwbooks's review against another edition
5.0
damn. the way this book deals with racism, sexism, and sa is truly amazing.
nicology's review against another edition
5.0
This book started off pretty stereotypically. I laughed at the young adult relationships, at the love triangles and friend drama and cliques.
Until it escalated. And I was suddenly hit with a story all too powerful, all too real and personal, about sexual assault in institutions of higher education and how power dynamics often make sure these cases stay in the shadows.
I loved this book.
Heavy TW for rape, sexual assault.
Until it escalated. And I was suddenly hit with a story all too powerful, all too real and personal, about sexual assault in institutions of higher education and how power dynamics often make sure these cases stay in the shadows.
I loved this book.
Heavy TW for rape, sexual assault.
kizzabell's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
fast-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
4.5
kirstyreadsblog's review
5.0
Content warnings: sexual assault, rape, racism towards Chinese people and Filipino people, sexual harassment from a teacher, bullying, xenophobia
I can’t remember when I first heard about Parachutes, maybe last year, but when I did I immediately added it to my TBR. I knew it was going to be a moving read. And I was right, I cried multiple times whilst reading it.
Claire is a “parachute”, a teenager who has been sent to America to study in high school without her parents. She moves into the spare room of Dani de la Cruz, who is a straight A student, with her eyes set on a scholarship to college. They don’t really get on with each other, but have more in common than they think when Dani starts to get private lessons with her debate tutor and Claire starts to see a handsome boy called Jay.
I knew that the author took a lot of inspiration for this from her own experience of being raped and how the university she was studying at dealt with it. But that didn’t prepare me for how much this would hit me. I’m honestly so glad there was a content warning at the start of this book because there are some really harrowing scenes that a reader definitely needs to be prepared for. My heart absolutely broke for these girls. This book felt so realistic
Continue my review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.com/2020/08/23/parachutes-by-kelly-yang-review/
I can’t remember when I first heard about Parachutes, maybe last year, but when I did I immediately added it to my TBR. I knew it was going to be a moving read. And I was right, I cried multiple times whilst reading it.
Claire is a “parachute”, a teenager who has been sent to America to study in high school without her parents. She moves into the spare room of Dani de la Cruz, who is a straight A student, with her eyes set on a scholarship to college. They don’t really get on with each other, but have more in common than they think when Dani starts to get private lessons with her debate tutor and Claire starts to see a handsome boy called Jay.
I knew that the author took a lot of inspiration for this from her own experience of being raped and how the university she was studying at dealt with it. But that didn’t prepare me for how much this would hit me. I’m honestly so glad there was a content warning at the start of this book because there are some really harrowing scenes that a reader definitely needs to be prepared for. My heart absolutely broke for these girls. This book felt so realistic
Continue my review here: https://kirstyreadsblog.com/2020/08/23/parachutes-by-kelly-yang-review/
snchard's review against another edition
3.0
This was pretty broad with social issues, but not in a an unrealistic way. The two main protagonists each had a unique voice and her own set of problems and prejudices, and they way they intersected was nicely done. There are a couple of heavy sexual assault plotlines, including grooming by an adult.
librariann's review
4.0
Ugh, gutting. Kelly Yang has a knack for empathetic character creation and narrative, whether writing for middle grade or YA. I felt that there was A Lot Going On in this book, and at a few points in the middle all the back and forth seemed a little clunky and I wondered if sticking with one character's story would have been better. However, the way the threads came together at the end was impactful and felt true.
No spoilers, but I will note that this is emphatically YA in content and would not recommend to your average 4th/5th grader who liked Front Desk, even a precocious one.
No spoilers, but I will note that this is emphatically YA in content and would not recommend to your average 4th/5th grader who liked Front Desk, even a precocious one.
thatothernigeriangirl's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
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
4.0
Yang is a brilliant writer, that’s a given. I enjoyed her writing in this one and learnt quite a lot about the Chinese international student experience. She’s highlighted so many different issues in this story, including abuse, rape, sexual harassment, racism, homophobia. This was a good read and I highly recommend it.
As much as I appreciate the content warning at the beginning of the book, it took quite a while for that section to surface and it gave me so much anxiety 😭. if content warnings of rape and sexual harassment can evoke anxiety in your reading process, maybe skip this one.
As much as I appreciate the content warning at the beginning of the book, it took quite a while for that section to surface and it gave me so much anxiety 😭. if content warnings of rape and sexual harassment can evoke anxiety in your reading process, maybe skip this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Racism, Homophobia, and Rape
annaa24's review
5.0
4.5! This book was really hard to read and definitely dealt with really hard subject matter but it was so important to read as well. The author’s note was the most important part to read
ogatka's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault