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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
was it messy? yes. did i enjoy it? also, yes.
roma and juliette really stand out as characters. the world is also very well built, the descriptions bringing the city to life. really got the culture aspect to blend into the narrative!
slight annoyances: the side characters, the pacing (at times) and the language (you could kinda tell there was a bit of an overkill in some scenes)
roma and juliette really stand out as characters. the world is also very well built, the descriptions bringing the city to life. really got the culture aspect to blend into the narrative!
slight annoyances: the side characters, the pacing (at times) and the language (you could kinda tell there was a bit of an overkill in some scenes)
4.5 stars or 9/10
These definitely surpassed my expectations. I accidentally ordered this book while ordering another book with the same name, so I wasn't aware of the premise or how good it is, but I definitely wasn't let down!! I would first have to praise the atmosphere of this book, this book pictures 1920s Shanghai so vividly, it was as if I was transported back to that time period without ever having any prior knowledge about it. The writing style is great as well-- it read as a bit try-hard in the first quarter of the book but it definitely improved in the latter parts. The main characters are fleshed out, but I felt that the side characters could've used more work. I definitely wasn't expecting a supernatural twist to the book but it was pleasant, I'm not the biggest fan of it but Chloe Gong made it work. The tension, the romance between the main couple KAFEHAOI. 10/10, I was squealing and giggling like a schoolgirl. Lastly, this book was a page turner (and that's a big thing because I'm almost never invested in a book enough to read continuously) which clearly displays Chloe Gong's ability to suck the reader in to the story and hold me captive until the last page. The sequel is on the way, I can't wait to devour it in one sitting.
These definitely surpassed my expectations. I accidentally ordered this book while ordering another book with the same name, so I wasn't aware of the premise or how good it is, but I definitely wasn't let down!! I would first have to praise the atmosphere of this book, this book pictures 1920s Shanghai so vividly, it was as if I was transported back to that time period without ever having any prior knowledge about it. The writing style is great as well-- it read as a bit try-hard in the first quarter of the book but it definitely improved in the latter parts. The main characters are fleshed out, but I felt that the side characters could've used more work. I definitely wasn't expecting a supernatural twist to the book but it was pleasant, I'm not the biggest fan of it but Chloe Gong made it work. The tension, the romance between the main couple KAFEHAOI. 10/10, I was squealing and giggling like a schoolgirl. Lastly, this book was a page turner (and that's a big thing because I'm almost never invested in a book enough to read continuously) which clearly displays Chloe Gong's ability to suck the reader in to the story and hold me captive until the last page. The sequel is on the way, I can't wait to devour it in one sitting.
Finished this in a week while traveling lol. It deserves 4.5 stars tbh but Goodreads isn't ready to have that conversation. SLOWEST slow-burn I have ever read but I loved it a lot. Benedikt and Marshall have my heart
Totally read like it was written by a 23 yo with too much access to a thesaurus. Heavy-handed descriptions. Characters did not talk and behave like they were from the 1920s. Described morgue with fluorescent lights which were not in use until 1930s. Lacked character development. Do not bother reading this one.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
Beautiful! Haunting!
Not your average retelling and not your average love story! This book takes so many different elements and creates a wild ride that will keep you guessing until the very last page! I love this version of Juliette, she is a beast!
Not your average retelling and not your average love story! This book takes so many different elements and creates a wild ride that will keep you guessing until the very last page! I love this version of Juliette, she is a beast!
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No