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greatexpectations77's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I thought this was fine. I did enjoy the twists and turns that this story took. And thank god that Ava divorced her husband. Cutting off her credit card while she is abroad is financial abuse. It was probably clearer in the book version, but I had a little trouble in the audiobook when the POV shifted. And I'm not sure if I was supposed to understand that Ava was an unreliable narrator? I guess so, since she was talking to police. I think that wasn't the most clear because we couldn't be sure that Winnie was telling the truth either. And it wasn't about like one single thing, but details about several things. Also, I thought the whole slowly circling around the issue of the SATs was a little dragged out. They talked about it so much in the book that I kept thinking that I missed what actually occurred.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
kyriannaj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Part One of the book was a bit hard to get through, but as soon as Part Two started I was hooked. Ava and Winnie are incredibly complicated characters, and figuring out the truth of their story after finishing the book will have me thinking about it for days. It left me with questions and since I read this for a book club, the conversations we had about it were amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death, Racism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
jencolumb0's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
An exceptionally clever exploration of the myth of the model minority and the American dream. I hope Ms. Chen gets a wonderful movie deal out of this (and that they do it well).
In addition to the content warnings, there are some passing descriptions of abusive labor conditions and post-op (elective) surgery recovery. And Ms. Chen’s research regarding US immigration law left a little to be desired.
In addition to the content warnings, there are some passing descriptions of abusive labor conditions and post-op (elective) surgery recovery. And Ms. Chen’s research regarding US immigration law left a little to be desired.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, and Alcohol
kshertz's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love thrillers with plot twists that you never see coming. I couldn’t stop listening to this one. It was a thrilling ride and I was very invested in the characters. I’m a sucker for an unreliable narrator too. Definitely recommend. Some inaccuracies in character development is the only reason it’s not a 5.0. Read it! It’s great!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Trafficking, and Gaslighting