Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Kuang

 Hey guys, this is Abi here, 

And I'm back with a rare post: A review. 

Not just any, but of Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Yuang. 

I finished it in just a few days and I can't think of a better book to review. 

Without further ado, here are my thoughts! 

Title: Yellowface

Author: Rebecca F. Kuang 

Genre: Thriller

Release date: May 2023

Status: Standalone

Pages: 319

Blurb: "Athena Liu is a literary darling and

June Hayward is literally nobody. 

WHITE LIES

When Athena dies in a freak accident, 

June steals her unpublished manuscript

and publishes it as her own under the 

ambiguous name Juniper Song. 

DARK HUMOUR 

But as evidence threatens June's stolen 

success, she discovers exactly how far 

she will go to keep what she thinks

she deserves. 

DEADLY CONSEQUENCES

What happens next is entirely

everyone else's fault." 

My Thoughts

I wasn't sure what I was going to get, going into this. I couldn't remember anything from when I purchased this book in Waterstones, having bought it, just based on the fact that Rebecca Kuang wrote it. But, I knew people were loving it, it wasn't long, so I put it on the shelf to read another day. 

I finished it yesterday, after only reading it for three- four days. 

At this point, I truly feel like R.F. Kuang can write anything. The Poppy War trilogy was so different to this, but both were extremely well-written, thought provoking novels that made you think and leave you wanting more. 

As usual, it felt like I should be further along than I was. Rebecca Kuang is able to move the story along in so few words, it genuinely is amazing. 

Yellowface tells the story of Junie, who after witnessing her friend Athena Lui's death, steals her unpublished manuscript and passes it off as her own, since her own writing career never really flew off the ground. What happens next, nobody could have expected. 

If you're a writer, dreaming of getting a book deal, like many of us have, Yellowface gives an accurate depiction of what the publishing is like, and the trials and tribulations that come from the first draft, to the promoting part of the process, as well as the struggles to be noticed as a serious writer. It was never too info dumpy, it was part of the story, but never the main part, let me tell you. 

There was plenty more than that, Kuang did an amazing job of helping the reader to think about the issues within the publishing industry, and interpretations fans of books might make about the author writing about certain topics (I'm not saying anymore than that). There was also some very creepy moments when you're left wondering unpleasant facts about Athena, and what she was like outside of how June knew her. 

I liked Junie as a protagonist, never felt like her character was rushed, and I never got bored of reading about her. Thoroughout the book I was almost rooting for her to come out on top of everything she was put through, unscathed, but then another part felt that there should be some form of punishment for her. (I admit, I did start to feel sorry for her as the book progressed though.)

Almost I was clamouring for more of Yellowface when I finished the book, I do think it was just the right length. There's a very definite start, middle and ending, and I liked that the story didn't just fade away. 

I only have one book of R.F. Kuang's left to read, which is Babel. Honestly, I don't know much about this one, but I could definitely be persuaded. Anybody think I should pick this book up? Comment down below. 

In a sum up, this book was fabulous. Intense, engaging, original, and so detailed. If I could read it again blindly, I 100% would. Will definitely be making my favourite books of the year list. I think this might actually be my favourite R.F. Kuang book. 

Okay! Those are my thoughts on Yellowface, by Rebecca F. Kuang! I hope you enjoyed it, and as always, feel free to comment your thoughts down below! 

I hope you have a wonderful day and I'll see you all next week, with my August Wrap Up (2024)! 

Byeeeee! 

-Abi xxxxx