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janagaton's review against another edition
3.0
basically an Asian pretty little liars/gossip girl/wannabe Ace of Spades. the audiobook was addictive and i loved the narrator, but the story itself is lackluster. it did have one of my favorite tropes though, as well as good discussions about Asian stereotypes, so it's a strong 3, and i prob will read the sequel.
sadkitty's review against another edition
3.0
Not the perfect most book but the thing I loved the most was the main character. Faulty and kinda stupid like everyone we know, but I liked her constant conflict between wanting to be good and wanting to have something good just for herself.
Also, there's a love triangle-ish thing in this going on which I found not annoying, like it kinda made sense and something I was actually interested in.
The reveal and all that were kinda meh. I thought the reveal would be like One of Us is Lying kind of reveal. But it was sub par.
But still this book along with Heaven by Mieko Kawakami got me back in the habit of reading so whatever.
Also, there's a love triangle-ish thing in this going on which I found not annoying, like it kinda made sense and something I was actually interested in.
The reveal and all that were kinda meh. I thought the reveal would be like One of Us is Lying kind of reveal. But it was sub par.
But still this book along with Heaven by Mieko Kawakami got me back in the habit of reading so whatever.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so this is a story about a group of friends being targeted by an anonymous person revealing their dirty secrets after the death of their friend. You hear the whole story from the perspective of one of the friends as you are trying to uncover whats going on.
Now I didn't really like the characters but I was always interested in the mystery. That being said, some of the actions made were stupid, the ending and reveal was also... well.. a stretch. It was still interesting and I still had a good time despite the flaws.
Now I didn't really like the characters but I was always interested in the mystery. That being said, some of the actions made were stupid, the ending and reveal was also... well.. a stretch. It was still interesting and I still had a good time despite the flaws.
meisbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally written September 16, 2021 on my bookstagram. I just realized I never transferred it here. This is my unedited review:
From the start, it is clear to me that Katie Zhao knew exactly what she was doing. I immediately felt like I was transported back to my time in high school. Through Nancy Luo, I felt how frustrating it was to be overlooked again, and again, and again in favor of someone who always managed to one up you. Her writing truly captured me & I was unable to put this book down for hours.
There are a lot of morally gray characters in this story, something that I love. Everyone is driven by one thing, ambition. Whether or not if it's their parents', or their own, for both the right and wrong reasons, ambition shines through and paints a horrific picture of what can happen when person goes too far.
I figured out pretty quickly who The Proctor was. I was a bit disappointed in myself that I did. However, I was still shocked when their side of the story came out. I don't want to spoil too much, but the lengths that they went to ... It is truly terrifying.
Ultimately, what struck a chord with me in this book was the focus on mental health. As a person who grew up in a mixed asian household with tiger parents, I think Zhao nailed it with depicting the unrealistic expectations parents can have...and the extent teenagers will go to avoid being a disappointment. Untreated mental health among teenagers is a huge problem in the world, and it's something that needs to be destigmatized. No one should ever be afraid to ask for help.
From the start, it is clear to me that Katie Zhao knew exactly what she was doing. I immediately felt like I was transported back to my time in high school. Through Nancy Luo, I felt how frustrating it was to be overlooked again, and again, and again in favor of someone who always managed to one up you. Her writing truly captured me & I was unable to put this book down for hours.
There are a lot of morally gray characters in this story, something that I love. Everyone is driven by one thing, ambition. Whether or not if it's their parents', or their own, for both the right and wrong reasons, ambition shines through and paints a horrific picture of what can happen when person goes too far.
I figured out pretty quickly who The Proctor was. I was a bit disappointed in myself that I did. However, I was still shocked when their side of the story came out. I don't want to spoil too much, but the lengths that they went to ... It is truly terrifying.
Ultimately, what struck a chord with me in this book was the focus on mental health. As a person who grew up in a mixed asian household with tiger parents, I think Zhao nailed it with depicting the unrealistic expectations parents can have...and the extent teenagers will go to avoid being a disappointment. Untreated mental health among teenagers is a huge problem in the world, and it's something that needs to be destigmatized. No one should ever be afraid to ask for help.
lastpaige111's review against another edition
3.0
Was looking forward to a nuanced exposé of dysfunction at a high prep school chock full of struggling hyper-achievers; instead got truly despicable MCs and a twist and denouement so far-fetched it’s worthy of a daytime Emmy.
Nonetheless the author really gets teen voices, and I luxuriated in the high drama. My assessment is that Zhao is on her way to greater things.
Nonetheless the author really gets teen voices, and I luxuriated in the high drama. My assessment is that Zhao is on her way to greater things.
lerburger's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
At first I was uninterested in this book and found it boring. Then I caught on and I was hooked till the very end.
At first I was uninterested in this book and found it boring. Then I caught on and I was hooked till the very end.
itsmeayo's review against another edition
5.0
I don't mind who Nancy gets with but there needs to be a sequel because what was the God Damn SECRET
ikler's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nehznaw's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0