leapearlreads's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful cover and an equally beautiful story!
When You Wish Upon a Lantern is filled with Chinese culture; the foods, the traditions. I think those parts were my absolute favorite. I really felt like I was there at the festivals too.
Kai and Liya's story centered around their culture and how it shaped their choices as young adults. The chapters alternated between Liya and Kai, giving the reader a good glimpse into both of their home lives.
The middle of the book dragged a bit and there was miscommunication between multiple characters throughout the story. Being a YA novel, I didn't feel like it was necessarily a bad thing as that's a normal part of growing up, learning how to express your thoughts and feelings.
"Sometimes I wish you could bottle up moments and relive them when you need to."
Overall, this book has a very feel-good, magical quality to it. It's a sweet and heartfelt romance with some young adult, awkward humor rolled in.
Definitely recommend!
The glossary at the back of the book was very helpful and highly appreciated.
Thank you PenguinTeen for the e-ARC to read and honestly review!
When You Wish Upon a Lantern is filled with Chinese culture; the foods, the traditions. I think those parts were my absolute favorite. I really felt like I was there at the festivals too.
Kai and Liya's story centered around their culture and how it shaped their choices as young adults. The chapters alternated between Liya and Kai, giving the reader a good glimpse into both of their home lives.
The middle of the book dragged a bit and there was miscommunication between multiple characters throughout the story. Being a YA novel, I didn't feel like it was necessarily a bad thing as that's a normal part of growing up, learning how to express your thoughts and feelings.
"Sometimes I wish you could bottle up moments and relive them when you need to."
Overall, this book has a very feel-good, magical quality to it. It's a sweet and heartfelt romance with some young adult, awkward humor rolled in.
Definitely recommend!
The glossary at the back of the book was very helpful and highly appreciated.
Thank you PenguinTeen for the e-ARC to read and honestly review!
krigjer's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to the publishers for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Easy to read and quite simple, but super cute and at times beautiful in its themes of grief and acceptance.
It also made Chinese culture feel accessible to someone that knows little to nothing about it.
Easy to read and quite simple, but super cute and at times beautiful in its themes of grief and acceptance.
It also made Chinese culture feel accessible to someone that knows little to nothing about it.
autumntune's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
4.25
"Since năinai was more of a parent to me than my mom or dad, they don't seem to know how to step up now."
I didn't know how much I needed the book until I have read all of it. It provides so much comfort and warmth, which I'm utterly grateful for. I always seem to be drawn to the books whose character resembles me in a way, and Liya does. I... badly needed that. I need someone else grieving my grandmother with me because she was everything, she was my world, and now without her, I feel so lost. So alone. I'm glad Liya has Kai in her life, how he lifts some weights off her shoulders so she doesn't have to carry all the burdens alone. It's a very heartwarming read, light and quick. I love the Chinese traditions described in the book and every time they say, "may your wishes find the light," I feel myself forming up a smile so wide. I do, too, believe that the world holds magic in it. Despite it being rare.
gweevy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
thatonebookdragon's review against another edition
2.0
I can honestly say I know why it’s not one of my favorites by Gloria Chao. I really don’t like miscommunication tropes. If that’s a trope you like, I highly recommend it.
The characters were adorable and likable. Watching Kai and Liya develop into their own people is so nice and their struggles are so heartbreaking. It also does well with dealing with grief and moving forward.
The characters were adorable and likable. Watching Kai and Liya develop into their own people is so nice and their struggles are so heartbreaking. It also does well with dealing with grief and moving forward.
bex_tries's review against another edition
Slow paced and not quite what I wanted the book to be.
smellofnewbooks's review against another edition
4.0
this was such a cute read and i already know i’m going to be rereading it in the near future
review from my bookstagram:
This was such a cute light feel good read! The book is set in Chicago and focuses on the relationship between the characters Kai and Liya (through miscommunication trope!!!).
This book also taught me a lot about Chinese culture and the mandarin language, including a glossary in the back.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I recommend it! I can see myself rereading this as it has become a comfort read!
review from my bookstagram:
This was such a cute light feel good read! The book is set in Chicago and focuses on the relationship between the characters Kai and Liya (through miscommunication trope!!!).
This book also taught me a lot about Chinese culture and the mandarin language, including a glossary in the back.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and I recommend it! I can see myself rereading this as it has become a comfort read!
charlise_lin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0