Reviews with content warning for Suicidal thoughts - The Astonishing Color of After

I absolutely loved this book so much. I wasn’t expecting it to hit so close to home since I’ve never experienced anything like this. But the main character being an Asian American (like me) and finally connecting to her Asian roots really resonated with me.

The story and plot itself is so immersive. I feel like I am experiencing the exact same thing as Leigh is in the story. The whole book tells such a bittersweet story, you’ll be crying on one page, then smiling with warmth on the next. It actually surprised me that there was also a romantic story in the book because all I expected was to read about loss, but the book is really about exploring all kinds of love. I really enjoyed all aspects of the story.

I also loved the prose of the writing and the style it was written in. The flashbacks were my absolute favorite to read and it was also heartwarming to read about the present, but I was mostly excited to read the flashbacks. I loved how everything slowly unravels and takes time to settle in.

I also like how the author approached the mothers death. I’ve never lost anyone to suicide, but I like how the author does her best to take away/talk about the stigma around it and around mental health.

10/10 recommend. The book made me bawl, it made my heart flutter, it made me smile. Just an overall great experience.

Content Warnings

summer_19_'s review against another edition

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mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

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natalieballenger's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

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alexisgarcia's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

i thoroughly enjoyed this book. the writing is so beautiful and the imagery of colors, food, memories, etc. are so incredibly lush and just breathtaking. the journey we see Leigh embark in terms of grief, mourning, guilt is so poignant that you feel with her. however, i wish i had someone to discuss this book with because it left me with so many questions. also please check content warnings!!!!

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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

I have had this book on my shelves for years and finally decided to pick it up. I was a little worried that it would not live up to all of the hype I have heard about it, but it exceeded my expectations. This book follows Leigh, a young girl in high school who has recently lost her mother to suicide. One day she encounters a bird and believes this is her mother reincarnated, trying to tell Leigh something. Leigh decides to go to Taiwan for the summer to visit her maternal grandparents, whom she has never met, to try to learn more about her mother and gain the closure she so desperately needs.
This story really explores how challenging it can be to have a parent that battles with mental illness. Leigh does not seem to struggle herself, and she often finds it difficult to have empathy for her mother. Leigh just also does not understand her mother. Leigh really struggles with her identity, as most high schoolers do, but her struggles are compounded because her mother was from Taiwan and her father is American. Being biracial is challenging, but Leigh has no real connection to being Asian because her mother never shared that side of her with Leigh before she died. I also really enjoyed the side story of Leigh and her best friend slowly falling for each other. Their story is so sweet and pure.
This story is beautiful, powerful, and important, and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Content Warnings

kaadee's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’m crying! I picked up this book in the library because I realized the book I was actually there for was checked out. I’m so glad I picked it up.

This book is a great story about generations, grief, loved ones, mental health. Everything is just perfect. The way the author describes is like flowing water. It goes together perfectly.
I love the culture, the way she describes food, the town, the family. It makes me wish I had such traditions.

I loved Leigh and I understood her grief. It was like I was right there with her the whole time. I loved the romance between her and Axel. It was written so well that it was just pure love. I’m not a huge romance fan but something about this had me sobbing.

I love this book so dang much 5/5

Content Warnings

turtlebrainlibrarian's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

readbycarina's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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