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trin's review against another edition
4.0
If The CW doesn't snap up the rights to this immediately, they're insane. Next Buffy, right here.
daumari's review against another edition
3.0
Kicking off AAPI Heritage Month with another YA read! This was a fun take on the Monkey King legend, with our heroine maybe not playing the role you think she might. Genie Lo is a high schooler, just trying to keep her life in order when new student student Quentin Sun disrupts her everything.
I'm vaguely reminded of [b:Avalon High|187812|Avalon High|Meg Cabot|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1172542154s/187812.jpg|3186888] in that this is a high school retelling of a legend, and where the heroine doesn't play the role we think she does from legend.
Cute story, good potential beginning of a series (still got 99 more demons to deal with...) would read more in the future.
I'm vaguely reminded of [b:Avalon High|187812|Avalon High|Meg Cabot|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1172542154s/187812.jpg|3186888] in that this is a high school retelling of a legend, and where the heroine doesn't play the role we think she does from legend.
Cute story, good potential beginning of a series (still got 99 more demons to deal with...) would read more in the future.
fantasynovel's review against another edition
3.0
I mean, look at that cover. Epic. And demons were delivered, as promised. My main issue was that the fights were too easy. Genie plus Quentin working together were ridiculously overpowered. This wouldn't be such an issue if the demons could fight almost as well, but Genie won too easily every time. There was never any tension or feel that Genie and Quentin could lose. I love that this book draws on Chinese mythology, though, since Western canon is super overused, and Own Voices books are great. But maybe next time, the fights could be a little more interesting.
saritaroth's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an amalgamation of Chinese folklore and a young adult romance novel. It is about Genie Lo who meets a cute boy in her class named Quentin Sun. Shortly after they meet, he tells her that he is Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, the main character in an ancient Chinese folk tale and that she is his fighting staff, Ruyi Jingu Bang, reincarnated as a human. At first, of course, she is skeptical. But then the two teenagers start being hunted by demons or yaoguai, as they are called. Genie and Quentin find themselves in the fight of their lives in order to rid the world of demons and save humankind. They are helped along the way by certain gods and goddesses, such as Guanyin. But which gods lend assistance and which gods prove to be a hindrance, assisting the demons in the destruction of the world? You must read the book to find out.
Speaking of which, I would highly recommend this book. Not only was I on the edge of my seat, but it made me laugh out loud several times. As a voice, Genie Lo is hilarious. And the combination of Genie and Quentin was magic. At first, I thought this was a standalone book, but after I finished reading the book, I realized that there is a second book entitled, The Iron Will of Genie Lo. It is a good thing too, because not only did the first book end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but it just gives me a chance to read another book by this wonderful author.
Speaking of which, I would highly recommend this book. Not only was I on the edge of my seat, but it made me laugh out loud several times. As a voice, Genie Lo is hilarious. And the combination of Genie and Quentin was magic. At first, I thought this was a standalone book, but after I finished reading the book, I realized that there is a second book entitled, The Iron Will of Genie Lo. It is a good thing too, because not only did the first book end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but it just gives me a chance to read another book by this wonderful author.
nnyomie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i absolutely loved this book
ohclaire's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars because this book was very fun to read. Like, I don't think I've been this happy reading a book for the first time since middle school. Reminiscent of Percy Jackson etc. but more directly relevant to me (a stressed bay area teen), I loved Genie. :)
lnlee78's review against another edition
5.0
Words can't describe how much I enjoyed this book. Not only was this book a welcome reminder of my childhood watching cartoons about Sun Wukong but it was also so rich with humor, life, and culture in a way that had me grinning and laughing for most of the book. Even though it's a "retelling" of the traditional Chinese myths, it was still so original in the way F.C. Yee decided to adapt the story. I also really loved the more "quiet" (i.e. non-demon slaying lol) aspects of the book, such as Genie's relationships with her friends, parents, etc. It was such a breath of fresh air and I'm sad the book had to end. Easily one of my fave books of this year. Can't wait for the sequel!