hannayuzuki's review against another edition
3.0
The writing was very melodromatic, especially in the first part of the book, it seemed like a mediocre fanficiton because of it - especially because I as a reader didn't have very much (/enough) reason at that point to sympathize fully with the Reiko (the main character).
- slight spoiler follows -
I liked how the book gave the perspective of a semi sociopathic character, it was slightly uncomfortable and thrilling reading her inner monologue.
- slight spoiler follows -
I liked how the book gave the perspective of a semi sociopathic character, it was slightly uncomfortable and thrilling reading her inner monologue.
forsakenfates's review against another edition
3.0
This is a super hard book to review. On the one hand it has this amazing premise and idea behind it. It also is written by an author that I love reading from. Lindsay Smith always has these unique worlds and locations for her books. However, this book fell completely short of my expectations. I spent the first 40% or so the book completely annoyed with the protagonist and annoyed with the "fake" world I felt like Smith was sharing with us. I wanted to immerse myself in the culture and the places Reiko was visiting.
Once Reiko really began her story in Miyu's life I became much more invested in the story. But then in the last 20 pages of the book we went full speed to a conclusion that was rushed and left me unsatisfied at the end. I had such high expectations for this book that I think really dampened my enjoyment. While this book has it's flaws, the premise should be enough for you to at least enjoy the story. I just wish it had been longer and had a better immersion into the culture.
One other thing I will say, is Reiko is severely depressed throughout this story and some of her thoughts and words could could be triggering to some people.
Once Reiko really began her story in Miyu's life I became much more invested in the story. But then in the last 20 pages of the book we went full speed to a conclusion that was rushed and left me unsatisfied at the end. I had such high expectations for this book that I think really dampened my enjoyment. While this book has it's flaws, the premise should be enough for you to at least enjoy the story. I just wish it had been longer and had a better immersion into the culture.
One other thing I will say, is Reiko is severely depressed throughout this story and some of her thoughts and words could could be triggering to some people.
l1brarygirl's review against another edition
2.0
*I received an electronic ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
plumeriade's review
2.0
i love angry girls. i wanted to love Reiko. but unfortunately she just ends up feeling fake and melodramatic because there's no real direction to her violent anger. i'm not saying she needs some deep, sympathetic origin story because she doesn't. but Reiko is explosively angry and wants revenge for... what? there's no reason. so don't try to act like there is one. and then at the end it just ups and poofs away and she's smiling at everyone. mmmkay.
other thoughts:
- of course the other life she experiences is some horror legend love story lmao
- of course the cousin is a jpop wannabe kawaii caricature
- a male character says he had a bit of a thing with another guy and Reiko immediately compares it to shounen-ai, and he says his girlfriend didn't mind because it was just like her BL manga
- of course she's bisexual but the only same-sex stuff is all in the past, during which she fulfilled the psycho lesbian stereotype, and the only relationships/sex during the course of the book are hetero.
other thoughts:
- of course the other life she experiences is some horror legend love story lmao
- of course the cousin is a jpop wannabe kawaii caricature
- a male character says he had a bit of a thing with another guy and Reiko immediately compares it to shounen-ai, and he says his girlfriend didn't mind because it was just like her BL manga
- of course she's bisexual but the only same-sex stuff is all in the past, during which she fulfilled the psycho lesbian stereotype, and the only relationships/sex during the course of the book are hetero.
buuboobaby's review
DNF @ 45%
Though I loved the setting, the heroine's repeated insistence on having her "revenge" quickly became tiring. I didn't feel that enough of her backstory was revealed quickly enough to justify her unrelenting rage at the world and everyone in her life.
Though I loved the setting, the heroine's repeated insistence on having her "revenge" quickly became tiring. I didn't feel that enough of her backstory was revealed quickly enough to justify her unrelenting rage at the world and everyone in her life.
eehoskins's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book overall. As I first started reading I thought it was going to be a new favorite, but it fizzled for me a bit as I read on. Ultimately, I felt as though the reasons for Reiko's rage and desire for revenge weren't fleshed out enough for me. Still a good read, but a victim of my goal to be more selfish with my stars.
lizro23's review against another edition
5.0
This book is so angry. I loved it.
I loved it the second time as well
I loved it the second time as well
rainymorningreads's review
3.0
**I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This book is dark and strange and while I had a few issues with it, it is one of those 3 star books that is unique enough to recommend to those who are interested in the premise. The story follows Reiko, an angry, depressed Japanese-American teenager who moves to Japan for the summer to ‘work out her emotions.’ Reiko is an extremely dark character, she’s been hardened by some of her more traumatizing experiences and is quick to react with anger to any situation. We learn about her past as her narrative continues, but we learn that most of this trauma comes from being scorned by Chloe, a past girlfriend, and her estranged relationship with her brother. In Japan, Reiko travels to the historical village of Kuramagi with her cousin Akiko and her budding J-pop band to attend a festival. Hellbent on revenge, Reiko wants to ruin Akiko’s time in Kurumagi and it is also insinuated that she will commit suicide. As she creates her plan she simultaneously finds herself slipping back in time to 19th century Japan in the life of Miyu. She finds the Miyu is just as keen on revenge as Reiko and both of these stories unfold over the course of the book.
Reiko is an intriguing character. From the beginning of the book I could tell she is not your normal love-scorned teenager. She is much darker than that and most of her imaginary scenarios involved bloody, destructive revenge. Her thoughts were so dark and disturbing that I think she may have had other issues before all of the emotional trauma with Chloe and her family. While I found it hard to relate to her, I was intrigued by her character and wanted to learn more about her thoughts and desires, as disturbing as they were. For a while, I couldn’t even tell if the entire storyline with Miyu was even real or if it was just Reiko’s imagination.
Some aspects of this book were incredibly unique and refreshing to read. I enjoyed the insight into the Japanese landscape and culture in both present day and 19th century Japan. Smith’s writing was colorful and imaginative and at times I felt like I was right there with Reiko in the strange village of Kuramagi. Reiko is also a bisexual character and I really like how directly and candidly it was explored in the book.
I also like the way the time travel was handled, it was subtle and more of a ‘slipping back and forth’ between time so we got to experience dual story lines. The mechanism of time travel is only vaguely explained so the entire book had a certain mystical, mysterious quality to it. Miyu’s character is also extremely interesting. She lives in 19th century Japan during the shogunate rule in militarized Japan. Miyu is treated poorly by her family and the entire village, but we do not learn why she is so hated until the very end. Her story absolutely had me guessing and it was both thrilling and disconcerting to read.
While the story was intriguing, the climax and ending was too abrupt for me. I had so many questions throughout the book and suddenly everything was answered and the story ended. The book was delightfully bloody, vengeful and disturbing so I had a problem with all of the loose ends being tied up so neatly. I also have a hard time with the idea that Reiko is just going to go back to living normal life. I wish there was more of an explanation after the climax and this unfortunately seriously hindered my overall enjoyment of the book. While it was unique, I don’t think this will be one of my most memorable reads.
Overall, this book was an interesting read and I encourage you to try it out if the premise intrigues you. While I did give it three stars, I do think this book will really appeal to some readers.
This book is dark and strange and while I had a few issues with it, it is one of those 3 star books that is unique enough to recommend to those who are interested in the premise. The story follows Reiko, an angry, depressed Japanese-American teenager who moves to Japan for the summer to ‘work out her emotions.’ Reiko is an extremely dark character, she’s been hardened by some of her more traumatizing experiences and is quick to react with anger to any situation. We learn about her past as her narrative continues, but we learn that most of this trauma comes from being scorned by Chloe, a past girlfriend, and her estranged relationship with her brother. In Japan, Reiko travels to the historical village of Kuramagi with her cousin Akiko and her budding J-pop band to attend a festival. Hellbent on revenge, Reiko wants to ruin Akiko’s time in Kurumagi and it is also insinuated that she will commit suicide. As she creates her plan she simultaneously finds herself slipping back in time to 19th century Japan in the life of Miyu. She finds the Miyu is just as keen on revenge as Reiko and both of these stories unfold over the course of the book.
Reiko is an intriguing character. From the beginning of the book I could tell she is not your normal love-scorned teenager. She is much darker than that and most of her imaginary scenarios involved bloody, destructive revenge. Her thoughts were so dark and disturbing that I think she may have had other issues before all of the emotional trauma with Chloe and her family. While I found it hard to relate to her, I was intrigued by her character and wanted to learn more about her thoughts and desires, as disturbing as they were. For a while, I couldn’t even tell if the entire storyline with Miyu was even real or if it was just Reiko’s imagination.
Some aspects of this book were incredibly unique and refreshing to read. I enjoyed the insight into the Japanese landscape and culture in both present day and 19th century Japan. Smith’s writing was colorful and imaginative and at times I felt like I was right there with Reiko in the strange village of Kuramagi. Reiko is also a bisexual character and I really like how directly and candidly it was explored in the book.
I also like the way the time travel was handled, it was subtle and more of a ‘slipping back and forth’ between time so we got to experience dual story lines. The mechanism of time travel is only vaguely explained so the entire book had a certain mystical, mysterious quality to it. Miyu’s character is also extremely interesting. She lives in 19th century Japan during the shogunate rule in militarized Japan. Miyu is treated poorly by her family and the entire village, but we do not learn why she is so hated until the very end. Her story absolutely had me guessing and it was both thrilling and disconcerting to read.
While the story was intriguing, the climax and ending was too abrupt for me. I had so many questions throughout the book and suddenly everything was answered and the story ended. The book was delightfully bloody, vengeful and disturbing so I had a problem with all of the loose ends being tied up so neatly. I also have a hard time with the idea that Reiko is just going to go back to living normal life. I wish there was more of an explanation after the climax and this unfortunately seriously hindered my overall enjoyment of the book. While it was unique, I don’t think this will be one of my most memorable reads.
Overall, this book was an interesting read and I encourage you to try it out if the premise intrigues you. While I did give it three stars, I do think this book will really appeal to some readers.
bookbrig's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.5
Really compelling, fast story with a bisexual Japanese American protagonist (yay for bisexual protagonists in YA!). I think it's a great read-alike for Carrie, mixing darkness and anger with vulnerability and fear. I might recommend it to teens who like books that deal with bullying, even though that's not precisely a focus of the story, and I'd also recommend it to fans of the game Life is Strange (and not just because of the Chloe characters, I promise). I can't speak as much to the authenticity or accuracy of the Japanese aspects of the story, but the author's note about her historical research seemed promising.
Netgalley and Roaring Book Press provided an ARC for my review.
Netgalley and Roaring Book Press provided an ARC for my review.
yccngz's review against another edition
I wanted to love this but I really couldn't get over the writing so I gave up around halfway. The voice was just too heavy for me and really repetitive and annoying.
Not for me
Not for me