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cnjg88's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The ending was really good. I feel like the plot twist was done well, and using news articles to give the aftermath was an interesting choice that I think fit well with the theme of the book. I really want a book focusing on Astrid. I loved Rachel and Nick's story in the first book, but Astrid's POVs were the main reason I kept reading through the first half of the book. With that in mind, Rachel was as classy as ever, and her argument with the final antagonist was excellent.
The format was also fun. Kwan rotates the conversation medium in addition to the POV in a way that I personally enjoy. It's like if the emails, texts, and news bits from 50 Shades was done well.
That said, there were some topics that I think could have been handled better. I'm not Jewish, so I don't know if the use of the term "Nazi" being used to describe loyal employees is okay when a character you are meant to loathe uses it. I am autistic though, so I do feel comfortable saying that I wish the conversation about r-slur babies had either gone differently or if other characters that we are supposed to like had one discussing eugenics and ableism. I think that the author's goal was to make them seem out of touch and shitty, similar to how he uses classism and racism, but I think it could have been executed better. The were also some casually ableist comments from the MCs about schizophrenia and OCD that felt weird.
All in all, 3 out of 5. It's overall a good book, political/social commentary is almost always my jam, the format was very unique in the best possible way. My main issues were pacing and some questionable handling of sensitive topics
The format was also fun. Kwan rotates the conversation medium in addition to the POV in a way that I personally enjoy. It's like if the emails, texts, and news bits from 50 Shades was done well.
That said, there were some topics that I think could have been handled better. I'm not Jewish, so I don't know if the use of the term "Nazi" being used to describe loyal employees is okay when a character you are meant to loathe uses it. I am autistic though, so I do feel comfortable saying that I wish the conversation about r-slur babies had either gone differently or if other characters that we are supposed to like had one discussing eugenics and ableism. I think that the author's goal was to make them seem out of touch and shitty, similar to how he uses classism and racism, but I think it could have been executed better. The were also some casually ableist comments from the MCs about schizophrenia and OCD that felt weird.
All in all, 3 out of 5. It's overall a good book, political/social commentary is almost always my jam, the format was very unique in the best possible way. My main issues were pacing and some questionable handling of sensitive topics
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Car accident, Classism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Alcohol, Ableism, and Misogyny
Minor: Excrement, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, Drug use, Blood, Child abuse, Vomit, and Alcoholism
sop17hie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Lots of characters! Great book if you like to keep changing character chapters. Check content warnings
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Medical trauma, Violence, Medical content, and Car accident
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Vomit, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Murder
abby_can_read's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
📱
I found this book as enjoyable as the first. The humor hit right, and I loved the different characters and their storylines. I do think this book did an excellent job of continuing some of the same storylines as the first book, but ultimately this book is its own story, which I loved.
I found this book as enjoyable as the first. The humor hit right, and I loved the different characters and their storylines. I do think this book did an excellent job of continuing some of the same storylines as the first book, but ultimately this book is its own story, which I loved.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Xenophobia
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol
pachelrooley's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is fun, addictive, and nostalgic for anyone who has spent any time in Singapore - it's great fun if you recognise all the settings! There are some fun characters, but I have to say that Rachel and Nick are excruciatingly boring and naive. The reader is obviously meant to root for them but they have literally no personality other than being 'nice', which is not particularly compelling.
The descriptions of opulence can be fun but take up too much space that could have been spent on the climaxes of the plot - which seemed to be completely rushed at the end, which was a shame.
All that said, I read it in about 24 hours, so evidently the author is doing something right!
The descriptions of opulence can be fun but take up too much space that could have been spent on the climaxes of the plot - which seemed to be completely rushed at the end, which was a shame.
All that said, I read it in about 24 hours, so evidently the author is doing something right!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Minor: Eating disorder, Violence, and Xenophobia
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