4.5 stars

CW: depiction of suicide, suicidal thoughts, depression, insomnia, death of a sibling, grief

This novel is emotional, full of sadness and whimsy, but it’s unbelievably good. I loved the writing – the inclusion of colors to add more depth to the story and the strange visions of the past to add a hint of magic. I loved that Leigh was so passionate about art. I loved that there wasn’t a cause for Leigh’s mother’s depression, because there often isn’t a cause and it made the story even more poignant. I loved exploring Taiwan with Leigh, and that she didn’t let the language barrier stop her. I loved the strength and growth of her relationship with her family, especially with her grandparents. I loved how developed the side characters are, from Axel and Caro to Caro’s grandparents, even though they only appear maybe three times. I loved Leigh’s friendship with Axel and Caro. I loved how everything was woven together and the weird was blended with the reality in a way that just worked. If I had one complaint, it would be that, at times, the story dragged just a bit, and it probably could’ve been shortened slightly. However, for the most part, I really enjoyed this novel, and I’ll definitely remember and recommend it for a long time. If you can handle the darker subject matter, I absolutely recommend it. I can’t wait to see what Emily does next.