A review by rieriereads
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark informative mysterious reflective 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

Writing is the closest thing we have to real magic. Writing is creating something out of nothing, is opening doors to other lands. Writing gives you power to shape your own world when the real one hurts too much.

This is my first R.F. Kuang book, and I really get why she is hyped, beloved, and famous.
 
Yellowface was, overall, a good read. It started off strong and fast-paced. From the start, you can see June's characteristics, and I love how she was both unreliable and unlikable. Most of the characters were.
 
From the first pages, it sucks you in so easily. It's a satire of the publishing industry and companies. And it includes so many themes, such as xenophobia, cancel culture, racism, white and pretty privilege, and more.
 
What I loved the most was June's personality and thoughts. I loved how she fought and tried to show us through her thoughts the "good" part of what she did. It makes us readers cringe, maybe be gaslighted, yet also feel included more, if you get what I mean. I see that how she defended herself was a very human thing to do. Something, not all but most likely, some of us will do when we are in a similar situation.
 
I also loved reading about her anxious thoughts and her point of view on how she struggled, rose to fame, was hated, and much more. There was no hero in this story; everyone was a villain and a victim in their own way.
 
I am on 50-50 of how it ended, though. If it continued, I knew the book would be longer and go on like an unending circle. Overall, I liked the story, and I would definitely recommend it, especially to those who are curious to try this and love an unlikable character.
 
I can't wait to read more of Kuang's work. I have a bright feeling that she'll be one of my favorite authors.

📚 | 46
⭐ | 4
•••

My Rating System

5 🌟 - Life changing, a new favorite read
4 ⭐ - I loved it
3 ⭐ - I liked it 
2 ⭐ - It was okay
1 ⭐ - I hated it but decided to  not dnf
Expand filter menu Content Warnings