I find it difficult not to compare Casey McQuiston's successive books to Red, White & Royal Blue, which I'll admi3/5 stars.
This book disappointed me.
I find it difficult not to compare Casey McQuiston's successive books to Red, White & Royal Blue, which I'll admit is where that probably stems from. The jokes weren't as witty. The connection between the main couple, while clear because of their history and common interests, felt shallow because of how much development happens in exposition.
What salvaged the book for me were the detailed descriptions of the scenery and the food. I loved the rich exposition for places like the cliffs in Dover, the lavender fields outside of Nice, and the Sagrada Familia, the characters reporting the layers of flavor in glasses of wine and pastries.
I don't completely regret reading this, but I do regret buying a copy....more
This book was beautiful but felt very unfinished to me. It was marketed as a standalone, even though it appears from some research to be a co4/5 stars
This book was beautiful but felt very unfinished to me. It was marketed as a standalone, even though it appears from some research to be a continuation (or prequel, I guess) to Rehman's 2014 book Corona, which I will now have to check out!
Critiquing it as a standalone, though, it felt like the story was missing a third act where Razia repairs her relationship with her Pakastani culture separate from the homophobia she faced from her community growing up. I understand the choice to leave Razia where Rehman did—as a portrayal of the uncertain fates of young queer and trans people who can't rely on their families to support their identities—but it comes off as slapped together and unsatisfying because we never see Razia struggle with the immediate consequences(view spoiler)[ of leaving home (hide spoiler)]....more
This book is an ice bath and a warm bed in one. It covers a lot of trauma, some of it in detail, but it never felt excessive to me. A lot of5/5 stars.
This book is an ice bath and a warm bed in one. It covers a lot of trauma, some of it in detail, but it never felt excessive to me. A lot of the book focuses on the characters as adults, trying to repair some of the damage from their pasts.
This book just made me so? happy? Like a new adult version of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda with a setup strai5/5 stars. How do I even start this?
This book just made me so? happy? Like a new adult version of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda with a setup straight out of fanfiction, Red, White & Royal Blue is easily the most enjoyable book I've read so far this year. The characters are vibrant and feel like actual people despite their positions. Casey McQuiston's novel is full of scandal, laugh-out-loud moments, and, above all, hope for a better world....more
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