Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

 

R.F. Kuang Author Page

From Amazon:

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable. 

My Thoughts:

Lord have mercy, I was not ready for this book! Let me first say, it was phenomenal. Kuang wove a tale of deception and betrayal, where the M.C. makes not just the wrong choice at every turn, but the WORST wrong choice. 

My book club debated this book for almost two hours. It was very interesting the different point of views we had about WHO June is talking to with the book. One thought was she was writing it as a book, another is she is telling the police or her publishers. I had my own thoughts, but don't want to spoil anything. 

Overall, we were all very uncomfortable with the Narrator. She is unreliable, whiney, and just a horrible person. Ultimately, it feels like the only reason she wants to write is for the fame. She doesn't truly want to write. Her unreliability comes from the fact that she will say one thing, then disprove it. For example, she says that Athena is a fantastic writer, that her final novel draft is amazing, pure gold. But in the next breath talks about how Athena is only popular because she's beautiful, Asian (a diversity hire), and rich. 

Spoiler below! 

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In my book club, we even talked about - did June murder Athena? She was making the pancakes, and then just watched her die. She didn't even try to save Athena, much less scream for help. In the fancy place Athena lives, there has to be a Doctor somewhere. How long did she wait to call the police? She def cased the apartment, taking notes and the manuscript. That takes time! And it feels very premeditated. 

One of the worst choices June makes is her refusal to try to write about anything else. She literally says that she could write about anything else, but then changes her mind because she already did so much research about China. In the young writers retreat she's teaching, she went full nuclear with the one student who was talking smack about her. In my opinion, she could have torn her to shreds, and then turned it around into a lesson about how public opinion can sway your mind, before you ever get a chance. How our own personal biases can wreck something, and how to combat that when it brings you down. She could have gotten those kids in her back pocket, and worked on taking that mindset to changing the public opinion of her, but she chose to ruin it all. Then she runs away like a coward instead of facing the music. 

I think the craziest thing for me is when Athena's ex-boyfriend is confronting June about her theft, and the way Kuang gets into your mind to root for June. I found myself sympathetic to her plight, as there was no proof, only public opinion. I had to keep reminding myself that she was in fact the villain in the story, she had done the harm, and it didn't matter there was no proof because they were right. 

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Spoilers over

Overall, Kuang wrote a very convincing character, who is easy to hate. I doubt that I can read this book again, but it was a fantastic read that I recommend. I would stay away if you have specific traumas this book keys in on, as it may be hurtful to read. 

Final Report:
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
340-368 pages (depends on edition)
Age range: 14+ years
$14.99 (Kindle)
$13.13 (Paperback)
$14.68 (Hardcover)
$17.63 (Audiobook)
10/10

The Honey's By Ryan La Sala

 Ryan La Sala Author Page

From Amazon: 
Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant.

Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.

What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death.

But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.

My Thoughts:

Honestly, this was a tough book to start, as I was expecting something else when I cracked it open. (I was told Midsommar meets summer camp, which it does have echos of, but not like I was thinking.)

Luckily, I powered through my initial confusion to keep reading as wow wow wow!! By chapter 5/6, I was completely hooked, and ended up finishing the rest of the book in one day. My local book club had a lot of fun when we talked about the book as well. (which my fast reading helped). 

Mars' quick wits and desire to simply be themselves really found something in me. I enjoyed how the author dealt with the grief of losing someone, as well as the frustrations that queer people have when dealing with family/heteronormative society. There were a few moments that seemed predictable, but overall I had no idea where the author was taking us, which I enjoyed the most. The 'Bury your gays' trope was not present either, which was refreshing. If you're looking for a happy, wrapped up ending with all of your questions answered, then this is not it. I think that it ended wonderfully, but some friends were wanting more answers. 

Without spoiling anything, the author has a perfect description for Non-Binary that I've ever heard, not only to someone of the queer community but also to heteronormative folks. It's a great answer when they ask questions. 

I have since bought all Ryan's other works, and am working through them while still reading other books too Hehe. 

Final Report:
The Honey's by Ryan La Sala
340-368 pages (depends on edition)
Age range: 14+ years
$6.99 (Kindle)
$10.99 (Paperback)
$9.99 (Hardcover)
$14.91 (Audiobook)
10/10

Extra:

Below are my favorite quotes from the book :) 

"But invisible to anyone else is the moment we both reach a grim understanding as to why we’re being introduced. We’re both gay."

"maybe it’s because I’ve spent my life on the outside, peering through a yearning distance at the games girls play, memorizing every turn and trick with the desperate hope that one day I’d be invited to play along, too."

"participate in their stuff. Sports and poker night. Show them you’re, like, chill.” “Wyatt, that’s not being chill. That’s performative heterosexuality.""

2024 Read Harder---- FAILED!

 So.... long story short, I failed my Read Harder 2024 challenge. I totally spaced on writing here again, and it just fell by the wayside. 

I will say, that my job was really unsatisfying, which lead to me zoning out, doom scrolling, etc. I was in survival mode, and learning hard on my partner to make it day to day. Luckily, this year I am doing a lot better mentally, at a new place for work, and able to handle trying this again! 

Not the read harder challenge per se, but more of writing about what I am reading.

Let's hope it goes better! :D 

Mandrake Manor by J.P. Rindfleisch IX

1. Read a cozy fantasy book

JP Rindfleisch IX website

From Amazon:
Inherited magic.
A secret neighborhood.
And... a formidable Homeowner's Association?

When Mathias Mandrake becomes the unexpected heir of Mandrake Manor, he and his friends are thrust into a world of witchery and mystery. Juggling romance, nosy neighbors, and looming fines, they must decide: is the magic worth the mayhem?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the story. It was a little obvious with where some of the plot lines were headed, but it was a sweet read, and it was fun. I would've loved a little more fleshing out of the characters and setting, so I am hoping there will be a sequel! I think that it was originally written as a chapter by chapter story, for something like NaNoWriMo. I give it a 10 out of 10, because it was extremely fun to read. 

Final Report:
Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX
320-322 pages (depends on edition)
Age range: 
$2.99 (Kindle)
$14.99 (Paperback)
10/10