michaelion's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.75
Fighting every instinct, every bone in my body to not give this book five stars. Only excuse I can give is that it was written by a white woman! But God, it's SO good! Dare I say it's perfect!!!
Speaking as a person who is not of Asian descent whatsoever.... The white woman who wrote this kinda ate this up. Miss Smith kinda gobbled. Kinda signed sealed served and delivered.
Now that I'm 22, Reiko being a teenager still (and the age I was when I first read this) makes so much sense. She's so angsty, just like I was. I can almost see how this book shaped bits of who I am now. (But disregard my bias for this review!) Some of the lines are so funny, but not in a I'm laughing at you way, in a This is so honest and real to a slighted teen's experience and view of the world. I love her with all my heart. Thank you to the white woman who wrote this book because it's truly in my top 5 favorite books. And it's not number 5!
Speaking as a person who is not of Asian descent whatsoever.... The white woman who wrote this kinda ate this up. Miss Smith kinda gobbled. Kinda signed sealed served and delivered.
Spoiler
They have sex on page 169. That's iconic.Now that I'm 22, Reiko being a teenager still (and the age I was when I first read this) makes so much sense. She's so angsty, just like I was. I can almost see how this book shaped bits of who I am now. (But disregard my bias for this review!) Some of the lines are so funny, but not in a I'm laughing at you way, in a This is so honest and real to a slighted teen's experience and view of the world. I love her with all my heart. Thank you to the white woman who wrote this book because it's truly in my top 5 favorite books. And it's not number 5!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Gore, Grief, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Mental illness, Murder, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Fatphobia, and Bullying
Minor: Biphobia, Child abuse, Animal death, and War
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