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pri_t's review against another edition
4.0
My Ratings (from our book club forms):
Characters - 4/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot Story - 5/5
General vibes from everyone:
- Liked the multi POV - but least enjoyed Lulu’s
- Good range of characters that were fleshed out
- Migrant experiences in which some aspects were relatable but a lot was new to read and learn about
My notes:
- Liked learning and seeing the different migrant experiences and different experiences of the Vietnamese war and what immigrating looked like for them
- Didn’t appreciate the crying at 1:30am in the morning as I finished the book. (Really liked that I got so moved by the story and characters)
My Fave quotes:
- “…until one day flora couldn’t remember what her brother had looked like before his skin declared war on him.”
- “He told her he loved her. He’d never said it again, embarrassed by his break in tradition, embarrassed by his honesty.”
- ”…beacuse what do the living do but carry the weight of the dead?”
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Grief, and War
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
Minor: Alcoholism
kiwichill's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
ionarachel's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Gore, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Vomit
zzara's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Violence
kirstym25's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse
sangsmiles'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Racism, Violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Racial slurs, Blood, Colonisation, and War
helloitskate's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Physical abuse, and War
Minor: Addiction and Blood
siobhanward's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall this was a decent book. At times it felt as though it went on a bit too long, but it was well-written and heartbreaking. Lien created a strong cast of characters, but sometimes it felt like she wasn't quite sure what to do with them. However, knowing this is a debut, I know that Lien will continue to create great stories and I look forward to seeing what she does next.
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
gmac112's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Grief