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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
2.5
I was happy to see a book lauded online for its rich representations of Asian & queer characters, but the pace of this book did not agree with me. I felt like the writing lingered heavily on exposition and detailed too plainly what readers were supposed to get out of each chapter. The tension of the plot and sense of characters’ locations was also managed rather haphazardly and I’m unlikely to read the sequel, but I’m still glad books like this exist.
It was clear the author has personal & emotionally complicated ties to Shanghai, and that is a love I can understand.
“This is my city…’ Is it though? How many times had she asked herself that question in Manhattan? How many times had she climbed up to her building’s rooftop and gazed out on New York’s skyline, refusing to let herself love it, because living one meant losing another, and losing Shanghai meant losing everything?”
I was happy to see a book lauded online for its rich representations of Asian & queer characters, but the pace of this book did not agree with me. I felt like the writing lingered heavily on exposition and detailed too plainly what readers were supposed to get out of each chapter. The tension of the plot and sense of characters’ locations was also managed rather haphazardly and I’m unlikely to read the sequel, but I’m still glad books like this exist.
It was clear the author has personal & emotionally complicated ties to Shanghai, and that is a love I can understand.
“This is my city…’ Is it though? How many times had she asked herself that question in Manhattan? How many times had she climbed up to her building’s rooftop and gazed out on New York’s skyline, refusing to let herself love it, because living one meant losing another, and losing Shanghai meant losing everything?”
adventurous
challenging
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
3.5 - i want to reread it sometimes
i don’t think i should’ve read this in my slump, i should’ve read it when i could’ve torn through it and enjoyed it more
i didn’t love the pacing, and again maybe that’s cause it took so long to read it, but i just found it having some lulls, i’ve heard the second one is better tho so i’m hopeful!!!
i don’t think i should’ve read this in my slump, i should’ve read it when i could’ve torn through it and enjoyed it more
i didn’t love the pacing, and again maybe that’s cause it took so long to read it, but i just found it having some lulls, i’ve heard the second one is better tho so i’m hopeful!!!
adventurous
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
I really enjoyed this book! The intrigue, the really interesting historical dive of Shanghai, and a fresh take on Romeo and Juliet that puts a lot of agency into the hands of their inspired characters had me flipping through the pages. Once I finished it, I immediately started its sequel book and also read it in a matter of hours. I loved the world of this book!
This book called to me in the library and I am so glad I picked it up!!! Despite no longer being a teenager, this won me over! Extraordinary characters who were unique and yet so loveable. The construction of the city and the imagery was stunning. The local politics weaved with the colonial history of Shanghai to create a one of a kind story that I can not wait to continue!!!
adventurous
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
I honestly debated if I wanted to wait for the second one to come out before I read this one.
And half of me is super pissed I didn’t because damn! That ending.
But the other part is so happy I got to read this book and have an excuse to reread it when the second one comes out.
And half of me is super pissed I didn’t because damn! That ending.
But the other part is so happy I got to read this book and have an excuse to reread it when the second one comes out.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes