Scan barcode
literarypenguin's review
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
After reading Emily X.R. Pan's debut novel The Astonishing Color of After I was expecting the same level of wonder and amazement as that book gave me. Unfortunately it felt very flat, unfinished, and very underwhelming to me.
This book felt very unfinished like it needed more time to develop the plot more and flesh out the characters. The characters motivations didn't line up and in some cases didn't really justify their actions. Also the threat was not that threatening and you could have easily written it out and not noticed a difference. The magical elements of the story, while beautiful and interesting, did not work too well with the contemporary route of the story. Sometimes it worked other times it made no sense. Eventually the characters started to feel one dimensional and could have done with more personality to really make them memorable.
The things I did like were Hunter's bond with his little brother Cody. I love to see positive bonds between siblings especially older siblings to younger ones. It was really wholesome and very sweet to see the two boys bond and love each other. The other thing I liked was the Chinese mythology, I really thought that this interpretation of the myth of Chang'e & Houyi was very clever and could work in a modern setting like this one. The writing and magic itself was also very beautiful it was just a shame that the rest of the story didn't work out that well.
While this book might have been mediocre I still love the author though I recommend you check out her debut novel The Astonishing Color of After first.
This book felt very unfinished like it needed more time to develop the plot more and flesh out the characters. The characters motivations didn't line up and in some cases didn't really justify their actions. Also the threat was not that threatening and you could have easily written it out and not noticed a difference. The magical elements of the story, while beautiful and interesting, did not work too well with the contemporary route of the story. Sometimes it worked other times it made no sense. Eventually the characters started to feel one dimensional and could have done with more personality to really make them memorable.
The things I did like were Hunter's bond with his little brother Cody. I love to see positive bonds between siblings especially older siblings to younger ones. It was really wholesome and very sweet to see the two boys bond and love each other. The other thing I liked was the Chinese mythology, I really thought that this interpretation of the myth of Chang'e & Houyi was very clever and could work in a modern setting like this one. The writing and magic itself was also very beautiful it was just a shame that the rest of the story didn't work out that well.
While this book might have been mediocre I still love the author though I recommend you check out her debut novel The Astonishing Color of After first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Chronic illness
Moderate: Sexual content
anne_shouseofdreams's review
adventurous
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
Minor: Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Infertility
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Medical content, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Racism and Violence
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
A lyrical retelling of Romeo and Juliet with Chinese mythology infused throughout. The short chapters make this book easy to read, pulling you into this mythical place. Despite there being quite a few narrators, I didn't feel like anyone character got less development than others, and the multiple narrators were important for understanding the story.
However, some of the jumping around did make it difficult to follow what was actually happening, plot wise. I think this was just part of the mythological aspect of the story, but there were times where I felt confused.
Loved learning more about Chinese mythology, though! And the central relationship was sweet and well developed. All in all, an enjoyable book.
However, some of the jumping around did make it difficult to follow what was actually happening, plot wise. I think this was just part of the mythological aspect of the story, but there were times where I felt confused.
Loved learning more about Chinese mythology, though! And the central relationship was sweet and well developed. All in all, an enjoyable book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Torture, Racism, and Sexual content
madisone's review
adventurous
hopeful
informative
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Bullying
Moderate: Infidelity and Chronic illness
Minor: Torture and Racism
sundayfever's review
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It took me a while to get into this, the story felt oversimplified and cliche at the beginning. But I enjoyed it as it got more complicated. A nice modern twist on the classic tale of the Moon Lady. Haven't read many books that emphasize magic in Chinese culture. I didn't enjoy as much as the authors first book but still a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Chronic illness
victoriousbookworm's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved this book! Pan perfectly intertwined Romeo and Juliet with Chinese mythology and had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out the mystical elements of this book! It was so enjoyable to see Hunter and Lina’s relationship revolve and change throughout their story and the ending left me speechless and in awe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content
whatjasread's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
An Arrow to the Moon had a rough start for me. I went into it with very different expectations, thinking it would be high fantasy rather than a simpler magical realism novel. YA novels that focus so much on the MCs going to school don't tend to work so well for me, it's just not what I enjoy reading. However, with the subtle elements of magic and the forbidden friendship-turned-romance element added to it, AATTM was a genuinely great read. Writing wise, the first third was a bit of a struggle for me -- if the whole book had been like the final third, I think this could have been five stars.
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn't shy away from important, difficult topics. They're not presented in an overwhelming or overbearing way, either. There's an argument to be made that it does fall too easily into the stereotype of the strict East Asian parent who is only ever focused on academic achievement and pushing their child to the limit. While it does, the book also pays important attention to political issues such as the Taiwan China conflict (which I'm genuinely intrigued about and will probably go and research more!) It also doesn't shy away from open discussion of periods - blood, cramps and everything in between. It seems like such a minor thing, but it's so important, especially in YA.
The ending was just phenomenal, I think if similar snippets had been woven throughout more than just in the journal, it would have been amazing and added a bit more to the story. I adore all the relationships in this book, particularly between Hunter and his younger brother Cody! There were some storylines which I didn't much care about (Rodney, mostly), but otherwise this book surprised me in a good way!
TWs: asthma attacks, racism, sexism, overbearing parents, strained family relationships, cheating, financial difficulty, child abuse, depression
One of my favourite things about this book is that it doesn't shy away from important, difficult topics. They're not presented in an overwhelming or overbearing way, either. There's an argument to be made that it does fall too easily into the stereotype of the strict East Asian parent who is only ever focused on academic achievement and pushing their child to the limit. While it does, the book also pays important attention to political issues such as the Taiwan China conflict (which I'm genuinely intrigued about and will probably go and research more!) It also doesn't shy away from open discussion of periods - blood, cramps and everything in between. It seems like such a minor thing, but it's so important, especially in YA.
The ending was just phenomenal, I think if similar snippets had been woven throughout more than just in the journal, it would have been amazing and added a bit more to the story. I adore all the relationships in this book, particularly between Hunter and his younger brother Cody! There were some storylines which I didn't much care about (Rodney, mostly), but otherwise this book surprised me in a good way!
TWs: asthma attacks, racism, sexism, overbearing parents, strained family relationships, cheating, financial difficulty, child abuse, depression
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Bullying, and Child abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, Sexism, Torture, and Racism
marywahlmeierbracciano's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
An Arrow to the Moon is a beautiful story that holds up even if you’ve never heard of Romeo and Juliet. In 1990’s America, in a quaint Northeastern town, Luna and Hunter live just a forest apart. When at last they meet, everything changes in a flash of light. As the world around them crumbles, Hunter and Luna are drawn to each other, hiding their bond from their feuding families. Amidst the stress of college applications and difficult family dynamics, their tumble into love feels so natural, like it was destined to happen. Woven with Chinese folklore and magical realism, this gorgeous tale will take your breath away.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Chronic illness
Minor: Torture, Violence, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse
More...