willowwitch's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
laurareadsdaily's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
esey18's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Loved that it made me think about society today in new ways that I hadn’t considered before, but I didn’t like the ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Racism, and Sexual assault
yashie_24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this with no prior knowledge, so I was presently surprised to find that the dystopia was sophisticated and well thought out (as expected from an adult fiction novel, there was no YA romance nonsense here). Celeste Ng's writing is beautiful as always, and I loved that it was in a child's POV, which made the whole thing very pure. This is certainly a very important book given our current political climate, and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is an Asian history nerd like I am (there are so many hints and parallels to actual events).
jlmyatt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
bibliogal93's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
hahibbard's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
medium-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? No
4.5
Powerful and intense
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality
stephanieswilley's review against another edition
5.0
Phenomenal. What a powerful story about the dangers of blind patriotism, scapegoating, and othering…and the power of art, love, kindness, words, and resistance. A must read for everyone.
seasonalmaker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sammygordon13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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? No
3.75