3.5 stars

This is consistent with the previous two books, which is nice because you know what you're getting into but also bordering on monotonous at this point: it's constantly

Spoiler

being in and out of some kind of custody, leaps of faith, betrayals and lies by omission, new plot threads that aren't fully developed, pre-revolution vibes

.

Unfortunately the ending felt totally anticlimactic, a lot of build-up just to be let down by

Spoiler

pretty much a best-case scenario

which stretches disbelief and even undermines previous developments and themes. (For example, the issue of

Spoiler

the vaccines that prevent most of the US population from growing up to stay hybrid

is brought up at one point but never even hinted at being resolved or re-addressed.)

So as with the previous two books, this is a pleasant enough read but not a very exciting one. The trilogy does bring something new to the table [setting aside the fact that it's backlist], though, so I would still recommend it to anyone intrigued by the premise.

content warnings:

Spoiler

major character death(s), panic attacks, trauma, past bullying, on-page car accident, xenophopbia & racism, mass shooting

rep:

Spoiler

biracial major characters (one is a love interest), central African secondary character

-----------
CONVERSION: 9.65 / 15 = 3.5 stars

Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 6 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 4 / 5
Rereadability: 2 / 5
Memorability: N/A

3.5 stars

Considering this is a middle book in a trilogy and those are always hit-or-miss for me, I was pleasantly surprised.

Once again, this book doesn't pack in a ton of plot; at the end I looked back and realized that most of the developments have been fairly subtle (character growth, relationships, public attitude of the country re: hybrids, etc.). The emphasis seems to be on characterization and internal/interpersonal conflict, which was unexpected but I'm into it.

I'm also into the way the characters actually talk things through instead of getting mad when others can't read their minds or naively hoping things will fix themselves — there's still quite a bit of the lack-of-communication issues that a lot of teenagers (both fictional and real) exhibit, but it's not all wrapped up in angst and unresolved grievances. Which, again, I appreciate.

Romance is still less of a focus than in a lot of YA books, but Zhang addresses a lot of the conundrums that come up when you and your partner each share a body with someone else: consent, privacy, et cetera. But overall I find these relationships almost clinical, because while I enjoy the intellectual exploration of these topics, I just don't feel any sparks or tension between the actual pairings.

There is one point that confuses me — the fact that

Spoiler

Devon's name doesn't appear until the third chapter, even though there are mentions of Ryan and descriptions of Hally and Lissa, Kitty and Nina

— but in the grand scheme of things it's probably not important.

content warnings:

Spoiler

consent issues [due to sharing a body], on page riot, on page car collision, on page explosion, past genocide, past death of children, mentions of torture, blood, non-graphic violence

rep:

Spoiler

biracial major characters (one is a love interest), central African secondary character

[Shelving this as NA even though the POV character is 15 because

Spoiler

it introduces major characters who are college- and new-grad aged, and whose arcs fit the NA demographic better than YA

.]
-----------
CONVERSION: 10.4 / 15 = 3.5 stars

Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 8 / 10
Emotional Impact: 8 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 3 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 4 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 4 / 5
Memorability: 3 / 5

content warnings:

Spoiler

major character death, on-page murder (drowning, asphyxiation), attempts to induce miscarriage, attempted infanticide & [successful] murder of a child, child deaths (anaphylaxis, drowning), blood, minor gore, precanon parent death (cancer), grief, mentioned suicide, mention of marital rape (spouse in coma), somnophilia, infidelity, explicit sexual content, ableism (towards child with Aspergers; coma patient), child neglect, unconscious self-harm while sleepwalking

I actually found this mildly creepy and disturbing instead of just boring so at least there's that? (For some reason I scare really easily with horror movies, but that doesn't translate to thriller novels.)

That said, this was more can't look away from the trainwreck than I want the MC to survive and triumph. Lowen does her fair share of shady selfish scheming, so I didn't care very much for her as a character; not sure if this is intentional, but in any case her methodology does at least make things more tense.

Although I didn't see the final twist coming, I think it's more because I don't really read this genre than because it was clever or original. It did make me startle and pause to process, but unfortunately its impact was undermined by an ending that kind of just trails off, leaving too many unsatisfying unanswered questions and threads that ultimately led nowhere.

(Yes, I'm familiar with the concept of a red herring, but there's a difference between a false lead and foreshadowing that is never realized. In my opinion, this book had more of the latter than the former.)

-----------
CONVERSION: 7.9 / 15 = 3 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 3 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: 3 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: N/A
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 2 / 5

This book is basically the epitome of what I hope for in YA high school stories — light, fluffy, balanced, diverse (to some extent), funny without being too obnoxious too much of the time. Megan herself is relatable and likable, unapologetic yet empathetic; that rare genuinely-flawed-but-a-good-person heroine even from the book’s beginning who undergoes realistic but significant development. It’s true that there are only two explicitly-identified (secondary) characters of color, one of whom pulls double duty as the gay best friend, but they both have distinct storylines and motives and personalities, and neither plays into stereotypes — they’re treated exactly like all the other characters.

This novel’s biggest strengths are probably its balance and relatability, keeping the narrative interesting without resorting to shock value or sacrificing character development/integrity. The plot is multifaceted without being overly complicated. Megan’s family and friends are not neglected; they’re such an important part of her life despite her deliberate focus on relationships and theatre (and to a secondary extent, academics), which I appreciated for its realism.

It’s definitely mainstream rather than capital-L-Literary, in that the symbolism is pretty overt and the character development is obvious too (though, again, pleasantly surprisingly organic), the realizations explicit and repeated a few times as if to make sure the audience caught it, the plot “twists” fairly predictable (though I admittedly didn’t see all of them coming, none of them were quite original). For me it was also very much a feel-good read: being past the college apps struggle and in a long-term relationship, I sympathized but simultaneously felt big-sisterly (not quite old enough to be motherly!) toward Megan: Everything will work out, you’ll see.

Addendum: this book reminds me a little of Up to This Pointe, which I also loved for its protagonist’s genuine passion for her performance art (in that case, ballet; in this, directing plays) — and, coincidentally, also features an Asian-American love interest named Owen.

I received an uncorrected advance proof through Caffeine Book Tours and Netgalley. This does not affect my rating or opinions; quotes were taken from the proof and may change upon publication.

This review was originally posted on the BookwyrmBites blog, along with a book-inspired playlist.

Other readers have pointed out ableism and casual homophobia in the final version of this book. I don't retract my support and enjoyment of the well-told story and terrific Asian representation, but that certainly doesn't negate the problematic elements — if you're thinking about whether to read this book, please be aware and take care of your mental health. (Twitter thread with more specifics here.)

-----------------------
[Original review:]

Baba proudly told me I was born with a needle in one hand, a pair of scissors in the other. That if I hadn’t been born a girl, I might have become the greatest tailor in A’landi, sought after by merchants from one coast of the continent to the other.

Though her gender and age lead others to discount her, Maia doesn’t need their validation: she’s as great a tailor as any of the masters she’s up against. And she’s determined, clever, fiercely loyal to her family, with a strong moral compass. I empathized so much with her disappointments and triumphs alike, and her vulnerability just made her even more likable. Of course she isn’t perfect; she doesn’t always make the best decision in every situation (understandable, given what she’s up against) — but she’s so clearly doing her best with all she has.

In other words, it only took a few chapters for me to decide that Maia Tamarin deserves the world. And that she’s fully capable of taking it by storm.

I’d always been skeptical of magic. But I tended to be skeptical of most things I couldn’t stitch together with a needle and thread.

The fantasy elements in this tale are masterfully woven (pun intended) into the narrative. Having grown up learning about Chinese deities and folklore, I could identify familiar elements that I connected to in a way that I rarely connect with European-based fantasy; however, you definitely don’t need prior knowledge to enjoy the worldbuilding.

Since the magic system is new to Maia too, explanations are easily incorporated into the narrative as she learns about it. The secrets and bits of relevant history / legend are interspersed throughout, so there’s always another reveal to look forward to. Even having finished Spin the Dawn, I’m sure more awaits us as the series continues, and I’m excited to see what’s in store.

“Some journeys have ends, but not this one. This one will change you. Irrevocably.”

“Don’t all journeys change you?”

“It isn’t the same.”

As she learns more about the world, naturally Maia also learns more about herself, her values and views. From her hometown to the palace to [spoiler(s) redacted] where she seeks magical dress materials, she gets to explore so many beautiful (and sometimes deadly) places and try all kinds of food and meet lots of different people. And in the process, it’s inspiring to watch her mature, developing self-awareness and confidence, making allies and enemies, standing up for what she wants / believes.

“You’re used to being underestimated, so you want to prove yourself. Don’t let that be your crutch. Accept help when you need it.”

“I welcome any opportunity to sleep a few extra minutes rather than dress finely. Mornings don’t become me.”

On a technical level, Lim’s writing is incredibly versatile. Scenes range from inspirational and profound (as in the first quote above) to humorously relatable (as in the second quote); the balance between playful and serious moments keeps things interesting without being either too intense or too shallow.

“It is an illusion to assume we choose whom we love. I cannot change how I feel about you. I would move the sun and the moon if it meant being with you.”

To be honest, I wasn’t totally swept away by the romance — I think I was expecting more of a focus on Maia’s journey, and it turns out both are central to the main plot.

There’s nothing actually wrong with it, though, and I did enjoy watching them banter and get to know each other and face the odds together. By about halfway through the book, I was unreservedly rooting for them: I’m always weak for a good power couple who are each other’s vulnerability, and their hard-won mutual respect is wonderful to see in action.

I knew then that we were like two pieces of cloth, sewn together for life. Our stitches couldn’t be undone. I wouldn’t let them.

I know I can’t talk about the ending without spoilers, so all I’ll say is holy wow, I need the sequel ASAP. The final scene is simultaneously satisfying and frustrating: I wouldn’t call it a cliffhanger necessarily, but it’s certainly suspenseful.

content warnings:

Spoiler

ableism (Maia impersonates her disabled brother), casual homophobic comments, death of loved ones (mother + brothers), sexual harassment, off-page animal deaths (birds, hunted for sport), blood, being outted as female (shirt ripped forcibly in public)

rep:

Spoiler

Chinese-inspired mythology, Asian-coded characters, disabled secondary character (brother)

>> Buddy read with Meeghan!

I really, really wanted to like this — my family is from Taiwan, I grew up Chinese-American, I am intimately familiar with the struggle between familial expectations and personal passions, etc, etc. And I like a good YA contemporary.

But this just didn't work for me. I found Ever to be annoyingly judgmental, even closed off to other perspectives (though she does undergo significant character growth by the end, it made it difficult to connect with her during the exposition); I was Not A Fan of the love triangle/quadrangle/whatever the heck was going on there, and the relationships in general felt underdeveloped; weirdly and dismayingly, I didn't really relate to the cultural aspects, either?

A lot of the translations felt off. I suppose it could be regional differences — my family speaks Mandarin and Taiwanese, but I was raised in the USA and I wouldn't consider myself to have native-speaker proficiency. But sometimes the Chinese grammar seems straight-up wrong (in dialogue for characters who are supposed to be native speakers); sometimes the in-text English translations are too literal and/or lose their cultural context beyond what Ever would reasonably perceive.

A lot of the themes and arcs don't come together — or really make me even want to care about them — until the end or very close to it, which made the buildup a slog to get through. The resolutions also felt too quick-and-easy, almost to the point of dismissing the drama and trauma that created the situations, which wasn't satisfying either.

Overall, I found this to be an adequate but not revolutionary premise with disappointing execution. I'm always in support of diverse works and I certainly hope this book resonates with other readers, but it wasn't my cup of tea.

content warnings:

Spoiler

racism & microaggressions (mostly challenged in-text), slut-shaming, infidelity, implied sexual content, (physical) domestic/dating abuse, mentioned threats of self-harm, mentioned precanon parent death

rep:

Spoiler

Chinese-American MC & family, Chinese & Chinese-American secondary & minor characters, secondary characters with dyslexia, minor character with depression

-----------
CONVERSION: 8.1 / 15 = 3 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 4 / 10
Emotional Impact: 6 / 10
Development / Flow: 5 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 2 / 5

3.5 stars

Ali Wong is an icon of an Asian-American woman. Her jokes aren't PC or PG, but they're funny because they're true. She makes fun of herself just as much as anyone else. All the while, she refuses to play into racist or sexist stereotypes, or to pander to a community that shares her values.

While I don't necessarily approve of everything she says, I have a lot of respect for what she does. (And it's not like she needed my approval in the first place, tbf.)

My understanding is that a large part of comedy is timing and delivery, both of which are lost in print; I'm betting the audiobook is better in this regard. Though I didn't like the book quite enough to reread it through that medium.

I like the memoir-told-through-letters format overall; though it's not entirely clear how exactly the letters are organized, as a whole they felt coherent and reasonably consistent. And I certainly appreciate her candor, even while she begs her daughters not to do as she did. I aspire to a long-term relationship as successful as hers. (If I'm viewing it in much too positive a light, well, it's not Wong's fault that society and past experience have set the bar so unfortunately low. In fact, she's done her best to help fix it.)

This book is, after all, a tribute to her family ... even if the contents aren't entirely family-friendly.

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CONVERSION: 10.5 / 15 = 3.5 stars

Prose: 7 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 6 / 10
Credibility: 10 / 10
Organization / Structure: 5 / 10

Emotional Impact / Interest: 4 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: N/A

I received an advance review copy from Candlewick Press through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.

2.5 stars

I need to think on this one for a while — it deals with heavy topics sensitively, but I felt like they could have been more nuanced, and the development felt choppy.

Claire reminds me of my teenage self (withdrawn and more than a little judgmental, self-motivated and borderline self-absorbed, a bit of a music snob) which should be a plus but made it hard to sympathize with her. Not that female characters have to be likable or perfect to earn sympathy, of course; it's just that I had trouble appreciating much about her besides her devotion to music and her perseverance.

The writing itself didn't really work for me: too much figurative language to describe even the mundane scenes and emotions. Admittedly it's difficult to portray something as abstract and evocative as music without any creative descriptors, but very little of it resonated with me.

FRTC.

content warnings:

Spoiler

underage sex, on-page rape, explicit but non-graphic sexual content, terminally ill parents (cancer), loss of loved ones, grief, racist and microaggressive remarks (challenged), slut-shaming

rep:

Spoiler

Filipino-American MC, Filipina major character (mother), Vietnamese-American secondary character (best friend), diverse minor characters

-----------
CONVERSION: 7.4 / 15 = 2.5 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 3 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 6 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 2 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: N/A
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: N/A

What's interesting — even special — about this book is that it can be a good resource no matter how "woke" you are (or think you are). A lot of books about intersectionality and activism seem to be aimed at people who don't know anything about the topics, which is important ground to cover but can be boring if you already have fundamental knowledge of the vocabulary and concepts; others have a level of detail and/or aggression that can alienate readers. This one is neither.

Through the lens of personal experience, Ramsey gives us an approachable narrative with experiences that contextualize and humanize the "lessons learned" without being sanctimonious. These are thoughtful takes on complex topics; I can appreciate where she's coming from, and I do agree that to some extent your intentions matter.

Only to some extent, though; there are some missteps in the text itself (for example, a nod to "trans brothers and sisters," but many nonbinary/genderqueer folks also identify as trans). Still, it's difficult to unlearn a lifetime of societally-ingrained biases, especially when people seem to jump on you no matter what you do say. And it's acknowledged throughout the book that it is a continuous learning journey: mistakes are inevitable, so what really matters is making it right inasmuch as is possible, and doing better going forward.

(I was not actually required to read this book, but it was mentioned as recommended reading at a leadership seminar/training I attended.)

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CONVERSION: 11.5 / 15 = 4 stars

Prose: 8 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 8 / 10
Credibility: 9 / 10
Organization / Structure: 7 / 10

Emotional Impact / Interest: 4 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: N/A

A compelling narrative by nature, but the writing itself was unexceptional. Beyond the obvious, it was sometimes hard to see or follow an over-arching plotline, i.e. a thematic connection between each woman whose story was detailed; as a whole, it kind of read as more of an anthology collecting multiple experiences surrounding one historical period rather than a single collective experience. Not necessarily a bad thing, just not my preference as a reader.