A unflinching inside look into the literary/publishing world which was both fascinating and frustrating. Yellowface raises the question of how far someone is willing to go for notoriety and prestige. For our main character, June, she is willing to do unspeakable things to achieve her dreams of being a literary darling.

This book is satire and that must be mentioned because I know there will be people who will read this book not understanding the underlying message R.F. Kuang is relaying. Is June over the top, and like a caricature? Absolutely. She's a caricature representing countless white authors who have a chokehold on publishing. You're not supposed to like June, she does not have any redeeming qualities. Reading her character will make you cringe, and hopefully to think about why you're cringing. If you've read Kuang's Babel

Yellowface is like reading Letty's chapter in that book, but multiplied by like 1000.

I've never read anything like this before, and for sure it's like watching a trainwreck... you just can't look away. Feeling uncomfortable while reading this book is the point. June's journey is both rage and anxiety inducing. I loved the use of June's group of fellow white authors 'Eden's Angels' as representation of how circles of white people become a vacuum chamber. It pokes fun at "but I'm a liberal, I'm not racist!" because when we live in a racist society, one must be actively anti-racist to combat how entrenched white supremacy is in our world.

I think the storyline was just a tad too drawn out. I think it needed perhaps one less repeat of this cycle June goes through dealing with the fallout of her bad decisions and then looping back into the finding a way to manipulate her way out of it (using her security of being a white woman to her advantage). It would've made the book a bit punchier. Either that or at one point towards the end you see a glimmer of June potentially actually growing as a person, and it would have been cool to dwell on that a bit longer instead and then move into the finale.

I truly wasn't sure how the book would end, and I was a tad let down with the 'reveal'. Only because I felt like there wasn't the right kind of build up to it

because the Instagram account only comes into play towards the end of the book, but June had been seeing this ghost of Athena since the beginning. It's kind of like, where was Candice this whole time then? Just over stewing for years as June continues on her tirade through publishing? BUT I did think the way it ends when June is basically just back where she started having not learned anything was fitting... frustrating, but fitting. And I do like that Yellowface becomes very meta because then you're almost reading the book June is getting ready to write at the end

R.F. Kuang is really a master, and having read this book I fully believe she's capable of writing anything.

A little better than the first one, but ya know... it's like watching trash tv. You can turn your brain off and just enjoy the chaos.

Mad that Xavier was killed off, like what was the point in his character to just be killed. I get someone had to die at that point but it was a dumb decision.

Also lmao at the ending. Jump scare for the narration change to Hudson.

2/5 🌶️

This book was not at all what I expected, in a good way! As is my deal, I go in to most books not knowing much, so I was expecting a fairly typical historical romance. I was pleasantly surprised to be immediately thrown into a world of pirates (fancy high society lady pirates), floating/flying houses, and adventure! The romance is there yes, but it's definitely a sub-plot in my opinion. Listening to the audiobook of this I think was crucial because the voices of the characters, especially like the older British ladies was key. It was a romp of a good time and def not a typical read!

Oh also if you're a Bronte fan, their books are referenced like A LOT. A character in the book knew/was related to the Brontes? Having not read any, there seemed to be a lot of jokes that went kind of over my head. Definitely seemed like 'spoilers' for Wuthering Heights in particular.

I did find that there were a couple too many characters though and on audiobook I had a hard time keeping them all straight. So I was confused for honestly a lot of the book and unable to follow the what was going on, but the vibes were impeccable so tbh I didn't mind! I also think the pacing towards the end got a little off cause there's this big climactic scene, but then several more chapters after which seemed to drag on a bit and then kind of another smaller climactic moment.

Definitely recommend this one if you're looking for something historical but different!

3/5 🌶️

This is definitely one I want to get my own copy of to go back and reference parts of. Similar to Cain's other book Quiet (which I am part-way through) she talks about the history of melancholia and how those of us who are in touch with these parts of ourselves often feel out of sync with the "Tyranny of Positivity" culture in America specifically. I think if you are at all interested in this subject then this is a good place to start.

Lila is quite possibly in the category of my favorite characters ever. I love everything about her: her undying need for adventure, her quippy sense of humor, trying to pretend like she has a heart of stone but clearly doesn't... Here for it all + more! Overall this book didn't blow me out of the water in the way I was hoping, but I'm definitely intrigued and will be continuing the series.

I also listened to the audiobook while reading and this narrator did a lot of voices, but their initial typical narration (sounded like what I call 'fancy british') took some getting used to. I see that there are different narrators for the sequels so wondering how that will go...

Rebecca Ross's writing is SO GORGEOUS. She really has such a way with words. I think this is my first epistolary novel and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I do wish there was a bit more fantasy elements to the story. It was very in the background and part of the story, but I wish we were shown a bit more of that (hoping this will happen in the sequel). That being said, Ross sure does know how to write a swoonworthy romance!

3/5 🌶️

there is one spice scene but it's not explicit

This is my new "everyone I know has to read this" book. 

Audio was good, but also glad I own a copy that I can refer back to. They also have some built in worksheets to help process some of the topics discussed.

Look is this story messy as hell? You bet! But also, life is messy as hell. Come for the mess, and stay for Emezi's gorgeous and real writing. I can't wait to read more of their books.

3.5/5🌶️

Gus is the best. That is all.
That and Emily Henry is the queen of witty banter.

This book has a wonderful central theme about the complexity and depth of being a woman. How we contain multitudes. How someone can be both a mother and also want to pursue adventure and their own dreams.

The first half is a bit slow, and there's a lot of character set up before the plot gets going. But honestly the characters are so fun, & I really love the dynamic between Amina and her crew. The second half really gets intense and interesting and I didn't want to put it down. There's kiiiiiind of an enemies to lovers thing, it's hard to describe without giving much away: Amina's fourth husband and her are estranged for *reasons* and when he shows back up there is a lot of general animosity, exasperated dialogue and tension which will likely continue through the series. The ending of the main plot is fairly resolved, but it sets up very well for the rest of a series, which I am excited to read.


1.5/5 🌶️ (closed door) My personal preference would be a bit spicier (because Raksh is HOT), but maybe it will go there in future books idk?