A review by taylasversion
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional funny reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

When I first heard the premises of this book before it came out I had JUST finished ‘The Plot’ and it sounded literally the same, but upon reading and finishing  ‘Yellowface’ I knew this was in a whole other league. Yes, they’re both grounded in the same story, someone stealing the story of someone who had died before they could publish it, but Yellowface is a great commentary on the book world, booktwt, booktok, Goodreads etc; as well as racism, cancel culture, fame. It’s a little on the nose, yes, but entirely accurate. 

Some parts seemed like they could’ve been brought up earlier, say where over halfway through the book we find out that Athena used Juniper’s real life story that got published, surely June’s first reasoning of using Athena’s ‘The Last Front’ would be ‘Oh, but she stole my story that got her start in the beginning so she owes me’ or something? 

Anyway I had a great time.