I absolutely adore this book. I never planned to finish it as quick as I did but I devoured it in a day. I just couldn’t put it down!
I really enjoyed the writing style. I was very apprehensive when it comes to YA because I can be quite particular. And when I found out that this was written in first person POV, I was even more nervous that I wouldn’t like it. Most of the time, I find first person POV to be a bit cringey. Especially if there’s a lot of internal dialogue and the MC is young. So, I have a hard time appreciating stories written in this POV. But I had a great time the whole way through. The main character is so well-written and dynamic that her ability to turn invisible is almost an afterthought.
Loved the pacing. I’m in a bit of a reading slump. So, slow build up and scene setting has made enjoying a book difficult. But, damn, this book really just lay out the stakes right at the beginning.
Henry Li. Oh, Henry. Through Alice’s eyes, he rich, handsome, prententious, and effortlessly overachieving. He’s introduced as an asshole but, as Alice gets to know him, we learn that he is much more than that. He’s so soft and so caring! Just the way he is around Alice has got me squealing and kicking my feet. I adore stories where the love interest falls first.
Overall, it was a beautifully written story that interweaves the Chinese culture, diaspora experience and socioeconomic commentary into a story of academia and magical realism (and a hint of espionage).
I really enjoyed the writing style. I was very apprehensive when it comes to YA because I can be quite particular. And when I found out that this was written in first person POV, I was even more nervous that I wouldn’t like it. Most of the time, I find first person POV to be a bit cringey. Especially if there’s a lot of internal dialogue and the MC is young. So, I have a hard time appreciating stories written in this POV. But I had a great time the whole way through. The main character is so well-written and dynamic that her ability to turn invisible is almost an afterthought.
Loved the pacing. I’m in a bit of a reading slump. So, slow build up and scene setting has made enjoying a book difficult. But, damn, this book really just lay out the stakes right at the beginning.
Henry Li. Oh, Henry. Through Alice’s eyes, he rich, handsome, prententious, and effortlessly overachieving. He’s introduced as an asshole but, as Alice gets to know him, we learn that he is much more than that. He’s so soft and so caring! Just the way he is around Alice has got me squealing and kicking my feet. I adore stories where the love interest falls first.
Overall, it was a beautifully written story that interweaves the Chinese culture, diaspora experience and socioeconomic commentary into a story of academia and magical realism (and a hint of espionage).