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Want #2
Ruse
In near-future Shanghai, a group of teens have their world turned upside down when one of their own is kidnapped in this action-packed follow-up to the “positively chilling” sci-fi thriller Want.
Jason Zhou, his friends, and Daiyu are still recovering from the aftermath of bombing Jin Corp headquarters. But Jin, the ruthless billionaire and Daiyu’s father, is out for blood. When Lingyi goes to Shanghai to help Jany Tsai, a childhood acquaintance in trouble, she doesn’t expect Jin to be involved. And when Jin has Jany murdered and steals the tech she had refused to sell him, Lingyi is the only one who has access to the encrypted info, putting her own life in jeopardy.
Zhou doesn’t hesitate to fly to China to help Iris find Lingyi, even though he’s been estranged from his friends for months. But when Iris tells him he can’t tell Daiyu or trust her, he balks. The reunited group play a treacherous cat and mouse game in the labyrinthine streets of Shanghai, determined on taking back what Jin had stolen.
When Daiyu appears in Shanghai, Zhou is uncertain if it’s to confront him or in support of her father. Jin has proudly announced Daiyu will be by his side for the opening ceremony of Jin Tower, his first “vertical city.” And as hard as Zhou and his friends fight, Jin always gains the upper hand. Is this a game they can survive, much less win?
Jason Zhou, his friends, and Daiyu are still recovering from the aftermath of bombing Jin Corp headquarters. But Jin, the ruthless billionaire and Daiyu’s father, is out for blood. When Lingyi goes to Shanghai to help Jany Tsai, a childhood acquaintance in trouble, she doesn’t expect Jin to be involved. And when Jin has Jany murdered and steals the tech she had refused to sell him, Lingyi is the only one who has access to the encrypted info, putting her own life in jeopardy.
Zhou doesn’t hesitate to fly to China to help Iris find Lingyi, even though he’s been estranged from his friends for months. But when Iris tells him he can’t tell Daiyu or trust her, he balks. The reunited group play a treacherous cat and mouse game in the labyrinthine streets of Shanghai, determined on taking back what Jin had stolen.
When Daiyu appears in Shanghai, Zhou is uncertain if it’s to confront him or in support of her father. Jin has proudly announced Daiyu will be by his side for the opening ceremony of Jin Tower, his first “vertical city.” And as hard as Zhou and his friends fight, Jin always gains the upper hand. Is this a game they can survive, much less win?
297 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2019
60 people are currently reading
3533 people want to read
About the author
Cindy Pon
14 books1,100 followersCindy Pon is the author of Silver Phoenix (Greenwillow), which was named one of the Top Ten Fantasy and Science Fiction Books for Youth by the American Library Association’s Booklist, and one of 2009′s best Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror by VOYA. Her most recent duology Serpentine and Sacrifice (Month9Books) were both Junior Library Guild selections and received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal. WANT (Simon Pulse), also a Junior Library Guild selection, is a near-future thriller set in Taipei releasing June 13th. RUSE, the sequel, is slated for spring 2019. She is the co-founder of Diversity in YA with Malinda Lo and on the advisory board of We Need Diverse Books. Cindy is also a Chinese brush painting student of over a decade. Learn more about her books and art at http://cindypon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
Want to read
June 6, 2018THAT COVER IS AMAZING
AND THIS BOOK CENTRES LINGYI
THANKU CINDY PON I OWE U MY LIFE
AND THIS BOOK CENTRES LINGYI
THANKU CINDY PON I OWE U MY LIFE
April 15, 2019
My full review can be found in my blog, The Quiet Pond.
I loved this sequel so so much, and I'm so sad that this duology is now over.
I'm going to miss my revolutionary bb's so much.
- Follows the gang several months after the events of Want, as they grapple with the consequences of what happened and the sacrifices that they made.
- There are three POVs in this book: Lingyi, the genius hacker of the group, who is called in by a childhood friend who may be in danger from Jin who has escaped to China; Jason (for most of the book); and, later on in the book, Daiyu as well.
- I loved that the characters in Want were developed even more in Ruse. I loved that we got to see more of Iris and Lingyi as well. (Iris is so edgy but is so soft when she's with Lingyi? omg?)
- Though this story isn't as discourse- and theme-heavy as the first book, it furthers and develops the discourse from the first, and shows that though one big fight may be hard-won, fighting for change takes time, influence, and power -- and how people can use these for good.
- Explores more interpersonal themes though? Like friendships and how they can get through things together, trust, the implications of sacrifice, grief, and the consequences of losing the people that you love.
- I just... loved this. It was a solid sequel and if you go in wanting more of the characters, you'll love it too.
Trigger/content warning:
I loved this sequel so so much, and I'm so sad that this duology is now over.
I'm going to miss my revolutionary bb's so much.
- Follows the gang several months after the events of Want, as they grapple with the consequences of what happened and the sacrifices that they made.
- There are three POVs in this book: Lingyi, the genius hacker of the group, who is called in by a childhood friend who may be in danger from Jin who has escaped to China; Jason (for most of the book); and, later on in the book, Daiyu as well.
- I loved that the characters in Want were developed even more in Ruse. I loved that we got to see more of Iris and Lingyi as well. (Iris is so edgy but is so soft when she's with Lingyi? omg?)
- Though this story isn't as discourse- and theme-heavy as the first book, it furthers and develops the discourse from the first, and shows that though one big fight may be hard-won, fighting for change takes time, influence, and power -- and how people can use these for good.
- Explores more interpersonal themes though? Like friendships and how they can get through things together, trust, the implications of sacrifice, grief, and the consequences of losing the people that you love.
- I just... loved this. It was a solid sequel and if you go in wanting more of the characters, you'll love it too.
Trigger/content warning:
August 24, 2022
Often sequels tends to disappoint after a well done start in the first book but this sequel did definitely not disappoint. As intruiging as the first one. Would definitely read more from this author
August 28, 2019
Edit (August 2019): lowering the rating to 2.5, since I realized that it's been a few months and I don't remember one scene from this book.
I didn't love Ruse as much as I loved Want. I do think it is a solid sequel, and worth reading if you liked the first book, but the combination of my expectations and this book just not being as compelling and well-paced as the first one was led me to enjoy it less.
Let's talk about expectations: I believed Lingyi would be the main narrator of this book. She's not; most of the novel is still narrated by Jason Zhou, and while Lingyi is slightly more prominent and has a few chapters in her PoV, she still doesn't get much development or more depth that she had in the first book.
While I love Zhou, I expected this book to be different, to get more into Lingyi and Iris' history, and their relationship. It doesn't.
I also thought this book was less thematically strong than the first one. It still talks about class and environmentalism, which I really appreciate, but it does nothing with these messages that the first book didn't already do more effectively. The descriptions of the excesses of the rich and the poverty felt far more vivid in the first book.
The pacing was also uneven, which made some of the flaws already present in Want stand out even more, like the lack of character development (the only character who actually gets an arc is Daiyu. Who is of course the best character in the book and we don't deserve her).
However, I still really enjoyed reading this! I loved reading about this diverse group of teenagers trying their best to take down an evil rich man. They doubt each other and mess up and feel guilty for not being able to do more in a world that is so unjust, but... I admire all of them a lot.
Also, the novel was still very atmospheric (it's set in Shanghai instead of Taipei this time and I really liked seeing this new place from Lingyi and Zhou's eyes), and it has the kind of food descriptions that will make you hungry.
I didn't love Ruse as much as I loved Want. I do think it is a solid sequel, and worth reading if you liked the first book, but the combination of my expectations and this book just not being as compelling and well-paced as the first one was led me to enjoy it less.
Let's talk about expectations: I believed Lingyi would be the main narrator of this book. She's not; most of the novel is still narrated by Jason Zhou, and while Lingyi is slightly more prominent and has a few chapters in her PoV, she still doesn't get much development or more depth that she had in the first book.
While I love Zhou, I expected this book to be different, to get more into Lingyi and Iris' history, and their relationship. It doesn't.
I also thought this book was less thematically strong than the first one. It still talks about class and environmentalism, which I really appreciate, but it does nothing with these messages that the first book didn't already do more effectively. The descriptions of the excesses of the rich and the poverty felt far more vivid in the first book.
The pacing was also uneven, which made some of the flaws already present in Want stand out even more, like the lack of character development (the only character who actually gets an arc is Daiyu. Who is of course the best character in the book and we don't deserve her).
However, I still really enjoyed reading this! I loved reading about this diverse group of teenagers trying their best to take down an evil rich man. They doubt each other and mess up and feel guilty for not being able to do more in a world that is so unjust, but... I admire all of them a lot.
Also, the novel was still very atmospheric (it's set in Shanghai instead of Taipei this time and I really liked seeing this new place from Lingyi and Zhou's eyes), and it has the kind of food descriptions that will make you hungry.
July 29, 2019
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was good! Nowhere near WANT level of good but STILL GOOD! I feel like eventhough the stakes *are* high here, the urgency of it wasn't conveyed as well as in the first book but I still adore the characters, the themes and the found family aspect. I would also die for Lingyi and Iris, they're so cute and soft together *cries*.
One thing I was slightly bummed about it that this was pictched to be from Lingyi's POV but it...wasn't? Zhao still narrated most of the story in 1st person and we got some chapters from Daiyu and Lingyi in 3rd person here and there.
This was good! Nowhere near WANT level of good but STILL GOOD! I feel like eventhough the stakes *are* high here, the urgency of it wasn't conveyed as well as in the first book but I still adore the characters, the themes and the found family aspect. I would also die for Lingyi and Iris, they're so cute and soft together *cries*.
One thing I was slightly bummed about it that this was pictched to be from Lingyi's POV but it...wasn't? Zhao still narrated most of the story in 1st person and we got some chapters from Daiyu and Lingyi in 3rd person here and there.
May 25, 2020
3,5 / 5
March 28, 2019
4 stars
I feel so fulfilled
Ruse feels like a natural progression for the events that happened in Want. I ended up reading this in 2 sittings, which goes to show that Ruse has a similar inhale-read quality to it that Want had. The other members of the squad (Arun, Iris, Lingyi) get more moments to shine here than they did previously. Ruse also showcased their friendship with Zhou a lot more than in Want, which was a very welcome addition. My only big complaint is that Ruse is more plot-heavy at the cost of losing the more character-driven quality that was a driving force in Want, but I don't have any problems with the plot itself.
Pros:
- Lotus paste mooncakes are my fave too. I feel so seen. (tho yolk isn't my thing but different strokes for different folks)
- Friends who buy each other food are the best friends
- So many mentions of Vic
- JUSTICE
- So much food even the dinosaur on Arun's shirt is living the good food life with dandan mian
- Knife boy (Jason) and trash girl (Iris) are like Want's version of Jake and Rosa from B99
- Ruse just solidifies that everyone looks at Jason's butt.
- Arun becoming fabulously wealthy and helping those in need
- Daiyu still being bitter about her dog
- Lingyi is always the Boss with a capital B.
- This book expands on the gang's friendships!!!
- Jason and Daiyu are unabashedly horny teens and I was sort of living for it bc they didn't care and their friends tease them for it.
Cons:
- The only page I dont like is pg 95 where they make it seem like hacking into the hotel room is quirky cute illegal type activity but the rest of the book isn't like that so was it a fluke.
- Not as character heavy as WANT, but still has good moments esp. for the friendships.
- Could have expanded more on Lingyi and Iris' relationship but I guess it was like *saxophone music* at first sight so ok. They're still cute af.
- Jason and Daiyu are horny teens so those parts detract from other aspects of their relationship somewhat, but at least this is consistent with how they were in Want.
----------
Pre-review:
EDIT Feb 6: Well what do you know I got approved for Ruse on NetGalley! TY @ Simon and Schuster
I'm ready for this whenever it drops, Cindy.
Signed your faithful reader, Alice, who cannot be stopped from wondering if .
EDIT: Now I've read the summary, I'm even more ready! Also I love how the covers are just bust shots of the characters and are unabashedly Asian.
I feel so fulfilled
Ruse feels like a natural progression for the events that happened in Want. I ended up reading this in 2 sittings, which goes to show that Ruse has a similar inhale-read quality to it that Want had. The other members of the squad (Arun, Iris, Lingyi) get more moments to shine here than they did previously. Ruse also showcased their friendship with Zhou a lot more than in Want, which was a very welcome addition. My only big complaint is that Ruse is more plot-heavy at the cost of losing the more character-driven quality that was a driving force in Want, but I don't have any problems with the plot itself.
Pros:
- Lotus paste mooncakes are my fave too. I feel so seen. (tho yolk isn't my thing but different strokes for different folks)
- Friends who buy each other food are the best friends
- So many mentions of Vic
- JUSTICE
- So much food even the dinosaur on Arun's shirt is living the good food life with dandan mian
- Knife boy (Jason) and trash girl (Iris) are like Want's version of Jake and Rosa from B99
- Ruse just solidifies that everyone looks at Jason's butt.
- Arun becoming fabulously wealthy and helping those in need
- Daiyu still being bitter about her dog
- Lingyi is always the Boss with a capital B.
- This book expands on the gang's friendships!!!
- Jason and Daiyu are unabashedly horny teens and I was sort of living for it bc they didn't care and their friends tease them for it.
Cons:
- The only page I dont like is pg 95 where they make it seem like hacking into the hotel room is quirky cute illegal type activity but the rest of the book isn't like that so was it a fluke.
- Not as character heavy as WANT, but still has good moments esp. for the friendships.
- Could have expanded more on Lingyi and Iris' relationship but I guess it was like *saxophone music* at first sight so ok. They're still cute af.
- Jason and Daiyu are horny teens so those parts detract from other aspects of their relationship somewhat, but at least this is consistent with how they were in Want.
----------
Pre-review:
EDIT Feb 6: Well what do you know I got approved for Ruse on NetGalley! TY @ Simon and Schuster
I'm ready for this whenever it drops, Cindy.
Signed your faithful reader, Alice, who cannot be stopped from wondering if .
EDIT: Now I've read the summary, I'm even more ready! Also I love how the covers are just bust shots of the characters and are unabashedly Asian.
January 13, 2020
3.5 Stars
June 28, 2021
Great ending to a fantastic duology. I could see myself re-reading this one day.
May 7, 2019
Rating: 3.5
April 7, 2019
4.5 stars
I loved reading Want so much in 2017 during the December “one read a day” promo on Riveted Lit, that I went out and ordered my own copy of Want a few weeks later!
And now, I am so so so happy to have been able to read the glorious book that is the sequel Ruse and it was just as amazing as Want.
The concept is no less exciting and Ruse is still filled with all the heists and big corporation takedowns that I loved reading in Want–but this time with even spicier dynamics!
It was so fantastic and I am so happy to have been able to read about some of my favorite characters once again. Seeing Jason and Lingyi and Arun and Daiyu again was so wonderful and I love them all and will miss them very very much.
It was really refreshing to read about all of them, and they were also still very dynamic throughout the book (despite it being a sequel) and they grew and learned–especially in reaction to Victor’s death from the last book.
Something I definitely wasn’t expecting was the commentary about grief, but that’s what really bumped this book up a half star–the analysis and incorporation of the characters grieving over Victor’s death. I think Pon did a really great job of showing how this impacted Jason and Lingyi especially, and their friend was not forgotten in the sequel.
Plus, there’s some spicy relationships going on between Jason and Daiyu, and as much as I hate one of my fave couples being broken up, I relished in seeing how this all made them stronger.
And yay for taking down big corporations and saving the environment! We love good near-future environmental-focused novels and Ruse, although it didn’t need as much of an introduction as Want did, still focused on the setting & environmental themes and continued to build on it, especially with a new country as part of the plot.
Honestly, I enjoyed so much about this book and am so sad to see the series end (I think?). It’s a fun, highly entertaining read, and I can’t wait to see what Cindy Pon brings us next.
However:
I do think that y’all should note that although Lingyi is loud and proud on the cover, this book is still mostly centering Jason and he narrates the majority of the story.
I do think a lot of early readers were misled by this and were hoping for Lingyi and her relationship with Iris to be front and center, but that’s not necessarily the case. They’re still very present, but this is still mostly Jason’s story and he’s the only first person point of view in the book.
So just keep that in mind! Lingyi, Jany, and Daiyu all have their own third person chapters (sometimes multiples), but I’d say at least half of the story was narrated by Jason.
Overall, Ruse brought to the table everything I was looking for and a little more on top of that. I would wholeheartedly recommend this series to everyone, and really hope you pick it up!
Thank you so much to Cindy Pon for sending me one of her ARCs in exchange for an honest review! Still sobbing over this wow
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
I loved reading Want so much in 2017 during the December “one read a day” promo on Riveted Lit, that I went out and ordered my own copy of Want a few weeks later!
And now, I am so so so happy to have been able to read the glorious book that is the sequel Ruse and it was just as amazing as Want.
The concept is no less exciting and Ruse is still filled with all the heists and big corporation takedowns that I loved reading in Want–but this time with even spicier dynamics!
It was so fantastic and I am so happy to have been able to read about some of my favorite characters once again. Seeing Jason and Lingyi and Arun and Daiyu again was so wonderful and I love them all and will miss them very very much.
It was really refreshing to read about all of them, and they were also still very dynamic throughout the book (despite it being a sequel) and they grew and learned–especially in reaction to Victor’s death from the last book.
Something I definitely wasn’t expecting was the commentary about grief, but that’s what really bumped this book up a half star–the analysis and incorporation of the characters grieving over Victor’s death. I think Pon did a really great job of showing how this impacted Jason and Lingyi especially, and their friend was not forgotten in the sequel.
Plus, there’s some spicy relationships going on between Jason and Daiyu, and as much as I hate one of my fave couples being broken up, I relished in seeing how this all made them stronger.
And yay for taking down big corporations and saving the environment! We love good near-future environmental-focused novels and Ruse, although it didn’t need as much of an introduction as Want did, still focused on the setting & environmental themes and continued to build on it, especially with a new country as part of the plot.
Honestly, I enjoyed so much about this book and am so sad to see the series end (I think?). It’s a fun, highly entertaining read, and I can’t wait to see what Cindy Pon brings us next.
However:
I do think that y’all should note that although Lingyi is loud and proud on the cover, this book is still mostly centering Jason and he narrates the majority of the story.
I do think a lot of early readers were misled by this and were hoping for Lingyi and her relationship with Iris to be front and center, but that’s not necessarily the case. They’re still very present, but this is still mostly Jason’s story and he’s the only first person point of view in the book.
So just keep that in mind! Lingyi, Jany, and Daiyu all have their own third person chapters (sometimes multiples), but I’d say at least half of the story was narrated by Jason.
Overall, Ruse brought to the table everything I was looking for and a little more on top of that. I would wholeheartedly recommend this series to everyone, and really hope you pick it up!
Thank you so much to Cindy Pon for sending me one of her ARCs in exchange for an honest review! Still sobbing over this wow
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
February 7, 2022
*2.5*
That cover is stunning but the book was nothing more than correct. It felt really similar to the first book, so it was really repetitive. In the end I did not had a bad time reading it, but it could have bit existed and it wouldn’t have bothered me… I feel like I won’t remember this book in a week.
That cover is stunning but the book was nothing more than correct. It felt really similar to the first book, so it was really repetitive. In the end I did not had a bad time reading it, but it could have bit existed and it wouldn’t have bothered me… I feel like I won’t remember this book in a week.
May 31, 2021
"Our world is not an easy world to live in right now." [...] "But I found kindness, too... and friends. [...] I found family."📚 Series? Yes.
📚 Genre? YA SciFi
📚 Read for? Armydathon + Stan Asian Authors
📚 Cliffhanger? No.
⚠ Content Warnings: Murder. Descriptions of injuries + blood. Gun violence. Pandemic-ish setting similar to COVID-19.
⚠ Book Tags : Found family. LGBT Rep > F/F Side Couple.
☁ RUSE DESERVES ALL THE STARS AND MORE ☁
Want is a new favorite mine, having read it a few months ago. I was very satisfied when I finished reading Want, I actually felt like the story could've ended there and I'll be happy forever.
And then we have Ruse.
Unlike Want that focuses on Jason Zhou's thoughts in the entire story, Ruse offers a multiple POV between various characters. However, as the main character of this duology, Jason still gets a good chunk of it.
From the action-packed storytelling I got from Want, Ruse continues on the universe. The difference: Now the gang is going to China. The story picks up a few months after the events in Want ended. They were living life separately, dealing with the loss of [redacted], and trying to get by.
Until Lingyi was contacted by an old friend in need of help.
Since Jin, our main antagonist, is spreading his evil ways even to China, the gang reunites and tries to beat Jin, hopefully, for the last time.
Just like Want, Ruse is a really quick read. There aren't fillers that ruin the pacing of the story, I just kept turning the pages. Many things still unfold in the story that will get you thinking. It still touched on important themes that are valuable even today. We have government, environment, big corporations, public health, and similar themes—and they were all told in a non-preachy way.
Bonus: Jason and Daiyu's spicy relationship is still as spicy—still off-page, though. We also get a glimpse of Lingyi and Iris' relationship, albeit not as deep and detailed as I would've liked. When they talk, though, my heart just clenches. Lingyi is such a softie and has a way with words.
Overall, the dynamic between the gang is still AMAZING and I love of all them. Even though [redacted] was gone, it felt like he was still there, as he lives in the hearts of them all and they show it in their words and actions.
☁ FINAL THOUGHTS & RECOMMENDATIONS ☁
I highly recommend Ruse to everyone I know (and don't!). This duology is simply so good that it deserves all the hype in the world!
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Synopsis:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Thrill: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
☁FINAL VERDICT: 4.91/5 ☁
Much thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and the opinions are fully my own. Also, all quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
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March 31, 2019
No spoilers in this rapid review of Ruse. I liked it and give it 3.5 stars. It’s easy to tell this isn’t Pon’s first series because of how efficient a storyteller she is. Her prose is crisp and effective, and the entire plot of Ruse is action-packed. Seriously, there’s never a dull moment.
At the end of Want, the first book in this series, I wondered whether there was much story left to tell. It could’ve been a standalone with how well the protagonists accomplished their goal and how completely the story wrapped up. But I was ready to check back in with Jason Zhou and crew because I enjoyed my time with them so much the first time around.
But then Jason wasn’t in the first part of the book. Pon introduced us to a new character, a friend of Lingyi’s, to set up the plot of this sequel. This girl invented a piece of tech, an air-scrubber of sorts, which Mr. Jin desperately wants. (Yes, he’s the bad guy once again.) When Jin gets his hands on this tech, Lingyi reassembles the team to try to get it back.
Because of this exciting opening sequence, I was intrigued from the start. Yet I was happy when we finally caught up with Jason and Daiyu. Jason hasn’t seen his old friends since Victor’s death, but when Lingyi summons him, he immediately accepts her invitation. Once they’re reunited, it’s like they’ve never been apart. Jason’s the only one who fully trusts Daiyu, though, so they ask him to work behind her back. At first he balks at the idea, but eventually he’s willing to do so.
Is Jason right about Daiyu’s loyalties, or is Lingyi? It’s a question I asked myself often as I read. I love the pair together, so I had my fingers crossed that Jason’s faith in his girlfriend was well-placed.
Ruse is a fairly short novel, so there’s absolutely no filler. Every page has a purpose and directs the reader toward the action. Even though the writing is pointed, Pon takes the time to tell us what each character is wearing and eating in a way that I could always see clearly. Clothes and food are two of my favorite things to read about, so I’m glad Pon indulges her readers in this way.
I definitely recommend this book and this series, especially if you’re a fan of science fiction. The sci-fi aspect revolves around solutions to a highly polluted environment and definitely gave me pause in both Want and Ruse. And something about Pon’s prose and storytelling jumps off of the page for me. I enjoyed the two books in this series so much that I definitely want to read more of her work.
Read all of our reviews here.
Check out our full book recaps here.
At the end of Want, the first book in this series, I wondered whether there was much story left to tell. It could’ve been a standalone with how well the protagonists accomplished their goal and how completely the story wrapped up. But I was ready to check back in with Jason Zhou and crew because I enjoyed my time with them so much the first time around.
But then Jason wasn’t in the first part of the book. Pon introduced us to a new character, a friend of Lingyi’s, to set up the plot of this sequel. This girl invented a piece of tech, an air-scrubber of sorts, which Mr. Jin desperately wants. (Yes, he’s the bad guy once again.) When Jin gets his hands on this tech, Lingyi reassembles the team to try to get it back.
Because of this exciting opening sequence, I was intrigued from the start. Yet I was happy when we finally caught up with Jason and Daiyu. Jason hasn’t seen his old friends since Victor’s death, but when Lingyi summons him, he immediately accepts her invitation. Once they’re reunited, it’s like they’ve never been apart. Jason’s the only one who fully trusts Daiyu, though, so they ask him to work behind her back. At first he balks at the idea, but eventually he’s willing to do so.
Is Jason right about Daiyu’s loyalties, or is Lingyi? It’s a question I asked myself often as I read. I love the pair together, so I had my fingers crossed that Jason’s faith in his girlfriend was well-placed.
Ruse is a fairly short novel, so there’s absolutely no filler. Every page has a purpose and directs the reader toward the action. Even though the writing is pointed, Pon takes the time to tell us what each character is wearing and eating in a way that I could always see clearly. Clothes and food are two of my favorite things to read about, so I’m glad Pon indulges her readers in this way.
I definitely recommend this book and this series, especially if you’re a fan of science fiction. The sci-fi aspect revolves around solutions to a highly polluted environment and definitely gave me pause in both Want and Ruse. And something about Pon’s prose and storytelling jumps off of the page for me. I enjoyed the two books in this series so much that I definitely want to read more of her work.
Read all of our reviews here.
Check out our full book recaps here.
January 13, 2022
check out my full thoughts on my blog~
review
Arriving in Shanghai, Lingyi met up with her childhood friend, Jany, who called her for help. Realizing that her tech is in danger of being stolen by Jin, Jany requested Lingyi to encrypt the important data somewhere safe. When Jany ended up dead, Lingyi’s the only one who has the key to everything. Embroiled into Jin’s world once again, the group of friends decided the best way to settle some scores and to bring Jin down once and for all.
Ruse mainly focused on Lingyi and Jason’s point-of-view. While they’re dealing with different issues, the guilt and grief that came with the death of Victor is deeply embedded within both of them. Lingyi was the one who saw Victor before the bomb went off and Zhou was the one they were going to save. Moreover, these feelings got more complicated for Lingyi. As she’s the leader of the group, she was the one who ordered them to continue with the plan despite the high risk. Victor’s death temporarily separated them.
With their relationship built upon lies, Zhou’s determined to not further jeopardize his and Daiyu’s romance. However, when he got the news of Jin trying to steal the revolutionary tech, he started to doubt everything. Finding out that Daiyu had been in contact with her father all along heightened his worries. Daiyu’s actions didn’t make the nagging feeling go away.
For the friends, they are all working towards the same goal. Arun’s using his knowledge and skills for the betterment of society. I wanted more of his perspective but he’s pretty clear and open about his own feelings about the situation and about Victor’s death than any of the friends. Iris is always there to support Lingyi whenever she needed it even when she doesn’t approve of their subsequent steps due to the dangers they will be in.
The ending was satisfying; I liked how the group solved the Jin problem. There wasn’t much world-building but since I had a comprehensive understanding of the settings, it’s not something that I’m going to complain about.
books in the series:
1. want: ✰✰✰✰
2. ruse: ✰✰✰✰
review
Arriving in Shanghai, Lingyi met up with her childhood friend, Jany, who called her for help. Realizing that her tech is in danger of being stolen by Jin, Jany requested Lingyi to encrypt the important data somewhere safe. When Jany ended up dead, Lingyi’s the only one who has the key to everything. Embroiled into Jin’s world once again, the group of friends decided the best way to settle some scores and to bring Jin down once and for all.
Ruse mainly focused on Lingyi and Jason’s point-of-view. While they’re dealing with different issues, the guilt and grief that came with the death of Victor is deeply embedded within both of them. Lingyi was the one who saw Victor before the bomb went off and Zhou was the one they were going to save. Moreover, these feelings got more complicated for Lingyi. As she’s the leader of the group, she was the one who ordered them to continue with the plan despite the high risk. Victor’s death temporarily separated them.
With their relationship built upon lies, Zhou’s determined to not further jeopardize his and Daiyu’s romance. However, when he got the news of Jin trying to steal the revolutionary tech, he started to doubt everything. Finding out that Daiyu had been in contact with her father all along heightened his worries. Daiyu’s actions didn’t make the nagging feeling go away.
For the friends, they are all working towards the same goal. Arun’s using his knowledge and skills for the betterment of society. I wanted more of his perspective but he’s pretty clear and open about his own feelings about the situation and about Victor’s death than any of the friends. Iris is always there to support Lingyi whenever she needed it even when she doesn’t approve of their subsequent steps due to the dangers they will be in.
The ending was satisfying; I liked how the group solved the Jin problem. There wasn’t much world-building but since I had a comprehensive understanding of the settings, it’s not something that I’m going to complain about.
books in the series:
1. want: ✰✰✰✰
2. ruse: ✰✰✰✰
December 23, 2018
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from Edelweiss. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
I fell immediately in love with Ruse for the exact same reasons I loved Want, and more. There was the same razor sharp look at climate change. Like with Want, Ruse goes beyond what what I associate with a dystopia, bringing a clarity to the injustice, a life to the culture, and a very keen look at resistance. It can feel like the world is against us. Like the rules, the system, and the power conspires to create a world where we cannot win. Where what ever we try, the house always wins. And Ruse picks up thee by stressing the necessity of action, of solidarity, friendship, and people's ability to surprise us.
I fell immediately in love with Ruse for the exact same reasons I loved Want, and more. There was the same razor sharp look at climate change. Like with Want, Ruse goes beyond what what I associate with a dystopia, bringing a clarity to the injustice, a life to the culture, and a very keen look at resistance. It can feel like the world is against us. Like the rules, the system, and the power conspires to create a world where we cannot win. Where what ever we try, the house always wins. And Ruse picks up thee by stressing the necessity of action, of solidarity, friendship, and people's ability to surprise us.
May 20, 2019
ACTUAL RATING: 4.5
i honestly fell in love with this book. this was such !!! a good !!! follow up to Want
and tbh if imma be honest i liked this even better ?? wow.
ruse was such a BIG book for being only 297 pages. a lot of shit happens and tbh im all here for it. these characters developed so so nicely, the action was bomb, the relationships and dynamics were amazing (found family!!) and everything about it was goooood.
the only bad thing is that its not 400 pages, which i felt it could of easily been, not 297. :(
May 28, 2020
1. Want ★★★★Well, I devoured this in just over three hours. As a story on its own, I enjoyed Ruse more than Want; however, the duology as a whole left some questions unanswered from the first book.
"Clean air is a luxury."Ruse is fast-paced and full of action. If you enjoyed the heist elements of Want, you won't be disappointed! I like how it tackles issues of privacy a bit as well as corporate espionage in addition to the social and political themes explored in the prior book.
"Our strength is in each other."I loved having multiple perspectives in this book, although it was a little jarring to having Zhou's in first person and the others in third person. I found myself more connected with Lingyi's perspective and I think the disconnect I felt with Want is a result of my not completely vibing with Zhou's perspective. Which was nice to finally put my finger on! Lingyi and Iris are my absolute favorites and I'm very thankful that the characters are all dealing with the events of Want in their own way.
"If not us, then who."Ultimately, I loved Ruse but it doesn't quite feel like a direct sequel if that makes sense? There are a few threads from the first book that just didn't go anywhere and that did hamper my overall enjoyment a bit, but this is a critically important duology that I recommend!
Representation: Asian representation, f/f relationship, PTSD representation
Content warnings: depictions of grief, loss, murder, violence
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December 26, 2020
3.75 stars
rep: ownvoices Taiwanese protagonist and main character, wlw Taiwanese side characters, Indian side character
rep: ownvoices Taiwanese protagonist and main character, wlw Taiwanese side characters, Indian side character
May 3, 2019
I loved this as much as I did the first book! In Ruse, we follow Jason Zhou, Daiyu and the gang as they go after the Jin Corp after the events of the first book. We hit the ground running as we learn about Jin's movements in Shanghai and how he continues to make money by ripping off families.
I love this series because there's a lot of layering, especially when Daiyu is involved. The gang are still struggling to trust her and a lot of their plan depends on her involvement, which offers an interesting dynamic.
Ruse is a true sequel, exploring the aftermath of the first book in the character's grief. It also builds upon the concept of yous, who have everything, and mei who are poor and underprivileged, and I liked how it did this naturally. It also contains everything I loved out of the first book - squad goals, delicious Chinese food, a sci-fi twist to modern Chinese cities, and another high stakes heist they have to pull off. If you enjoyed Want, you'll definitely like Ruse as well!
I listened to the audiobook of this series and really enjoyed the voice acting.
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
I love this series because there's a lot of layering, especially when Daiyu is involved. The gang are still struggling to trust her and a lot of their plan depends on her involvement, which offers an interesting dynamic.
Ruse is a true sequel, exploring the aftermath of the first book in the character's grief. It also builds upon the concept of yous, who have everything, and mei who are poor and underprivileged, and I liked how it did this naturally. It also contains everything I loved out of the first book - squad goals, delicious Chinese food, a sci-fi twist to modern Chinese cities, and another high stakes heist they have to pull off. If you enjoyed Want, you'll definitely like Ruse as well!
I listened to the audiobook of this series and really enjoyed the voice acting.
Check out Happy Indulgence Books for more reviews!
March 27, 2021
I was nervous delving into Ruse soon after Want. I had build up high expectations around it. And y'all. It had live up and more.
Ruse is action-packed both romantically (if y'all know what I mean *chuckles*), politically, and fighting scenes-wise. Richer tone of the futuristic world not only of Taiwan but of also Shanghai. It was great! I feel like I grew a lot more accustomed of the living environment presently with the pandemic and the world of Ruse. Legit all the vibes the duopoly gave me was pure Asian drama, I have mentioned it before but the theatrics Pon had offered in Want doubles up in Ruse and so as the action that goes in here. I am loving and enjoying it.
I now scream for this book. I totally recommend it!
Ruse is action-packed both romantically (if y'all know what I mean *chuckles*), politically, and fighting scenes-wise. Richer tone of the futuristic world not only of Taiwan but of also Shanghai. It was great! I feel like I grew a lot more accustomed of the living environment presently with the pandemic and the world of Ruse. Legit all the vibes the duopoly gave me was pure Asian drama, I have mentioned it before but the theatrics Pon had offered in Want doubles up in Ruse and so as the action that goes in here. I am loving and enjoying it.
I now scream for this book. I totally recommend it!
November 23, 2020
Ruse (Want #2) by Cindy Pon is a solid wrap up to this YA sci-fi dystopia duology, but never never quite hooked me as much as Want. If you enjoyed what was set up in that first installment from the world to the characters, you'll definitely want to come back to see how it all ends here. It's a good read, but it didn't manage to impress me as much as the first. The message isn't quite as hard hitting and the stakes aren't quite as high either. Plus, I really wish Lingyi had more perspective chapters or was the lead of the novel.
Want to read
June 8, 2017THIS COMES OUT IN 2019 AND THAT HURTS ME BUT HOO BOY I'M SO HAPPY WE GET A SEQUEL
February 23, 2022
Ruse really gave a solid ending to the intentions and aspirations of Want. Even though it started slow, things picked up after a few chapters. I really enjoyed this duology.
January 27, 2020
This picks up after WANT. Initially I was excited because I thought this would be entirely in Lingyi's perspective. It is not. Most of the book is Zhao's again and that is why I dinged a star, since I find YA badboys slightly overdone.
Environmental dystopia takes you to Shanghai for this book, where Jin is recovering from book one and expanding his empire. The gang is broken up. I really enjoy a peek into the wider world that Pon has written, leaving the setting of Taiwan from before. This series is certainly timely and examines the needs of direct action versus the "slow" methods in the comfort of privilege.
Solid read, good pacing. Good characters.
Environmental dystopia takes you to Shanghai for this book, where Jin is recovering from book one and expanding his empire. The gang is broken up. I really enjoy a peek into the wider world that Pon has written, leaving the setting of Taiwan from before. This series is certainly timely and examines the needs of direct action versus the "slow" methods in the comfort of privilege.
Solid read, good pacing. Good characters.
May 8, 2019
3.5/5 Stars
A solid af sequel with tons of action and social commentary in spades 👌🏼
A solid af sequel with tons of action and social commentary in spades 👌🏼
March 13, 2019
Taking place in Shanghai, Ruse follows Zhou and the gang as they take on the same evils that continue to threaten everything they love.
"It was why she always dressed in bright colors, dyed and adorned her hair in neons, because the world of her work was so often a stark contrast of black and white."
Ruse begins where Want ended but this time we see those final moments through Lingyi’s eyes. With its stunning cover, I was excited to explore this world in Lingyi’s shoes since she was a favorite of mine from the first book. I figured she was going to be our main POV in Ruse, but sadly she wasn’t and that was disappointing. I wanted to get to know the “boss” and see more of her relationship with Iris.
"I might have kept my distance from my friends in these past months, but I never stopped loving them like family. That's how families were, right? Even the happiest ones had disagreements and fought."
It was nice to see everyone back in the sequel. Zhou and Daiyu still play the biggest roles throughout this series with even their relationship being the core of the plot. Which I have to be honest, I was never a fan of their love since Want and in this book my heart didn’t sway. It was nice getting to know Daiyu better, though. All the characters are struggling six months after the events in Want, but in particular Daiyu grapples with being Jin’s daughter or following her own heart.
As the story continues, the pacing of the plot felt a bit off at times. Most of the book is spent building up to the final act but once it gets there, everything feels too rushed. There’s no doubt that Cindy Pon is a fantastic writer. I appreciate how well she developed this world that takes on a topic we don’t see much of in books. Climate change and the differences in social classes are both well explored throughout this series. It sets Want and Ruse apart from other YA books.
"We've all been grieving in our own ways. But if getting into another dangerous venture has shown me anything, it's that our strength is in each other. Especially if we want to bring Jin down."
Overall, Ruse isn’t a bad book but it lacked the spark the first book had. I enjoyed seeing the characters struggle only to find the closure they needed by the end of everything. In the end there was still something missing for me. I wanted to love Ruse but I didn’t. However, it’s a good book with great diversity that takes on tough topics.
| originally posted on Bookstacked |
"It was why she always dressed in bright colors, dyed and adorned her hair in neons, because the world of her work was so often a stark contrast of black and white."
Ruse begins where Want ended but this time we see those final moments through Lingyi’s eyes. With its stunning cover, I was excited to explore this world in Lingyi’s shoes since she was a favorite of mine from the first book. I figured she was going to be our main POV in Ruse, but sadly she wasn’t and that was disappointing. I wanted to get to know the “boss” and see more of her relationship with Iris.
"I might have kept my distance from my friends in these past months, but I never stopped loving them like family. That's how families were, right? Even the happiest ones had disagreements and fought."
It was nice to see everyone back in the sequel. Zhou and Daiyu still play the biggest roles throughout this series with even their relationship being the core of the plot. Which I have to be honest, I was never a fan of their love since Want and in this book my heart didn’t sway. It was nice getting to know Daiyu better, though. All the characters are struggling six months after the events in Want, but in particular Daiyu grapples with being Jin’s daughter or following her own heart.
As the story continues, the pacing of the plot felt a bit off at times. Most of the book is spent building up to the final act but once it gets there, everything feels too rushed. There’s no doubt that Cindy Pon is a fantastic writer. I appreciate how well she developed this world that takes on a topic we don’t see much of in books. Climate change and the differences in social classes are both well explored throughout this series. It sets Want and Ruse apart from other YA books.
"We've all been grieving in our own ways. But if getting into another dangerous venture has shown me anything, it's that our strength is in each other. Especially if we want to bring Jin down."
Overall, Ruse isn’t a bad book but it lacked the spark the first book had. I enjoyed seeing the characters struggle only to find the closure they needed by the end of everything. In the end there was still something missing for me. I wanted to love Ruse but I didn’t. However, it’s a good book with great diversity that takes on tough topics.
| originally posted on Bookstacked |
August 10, 2019
✨ 2.5 / 5 ✨
My review for Want
This was very much a case of unmet expectations and a bit of an unseasoned sequel. The first couple chapters were very strong and emotional and I was ready to get emotionally wrecked. well, that didn’t happen.
First of all, this is not a book from Lingyi’s perspective. Yes, she has a few PoV chapters and we see slightly more of her but this is still very much centred around Zhou and his PoV chapters. We also get Daiyu’s perspective in this book which was interesting but I wished that it’d happened in the first book so this one could actually focus around Lingyi and Iris. So based on my expectations it was disappointing because by this point I don’t care about Zhou’s and Daiyu’s relationship anymore, I wanted to see other people in the limelight. If I’d read a couple of reviews before reading the book I would’ve known that but eh.
The plot in this book was also a bit muddy and unevenly paced. Things felt a bit repetitive and didn’t add to the social and environmental commentary of the first book. The stakes were somewhat higher and we know casualties can happen but it still didn’t feel like the characters were in any real danger. I didn’t feel nervous for them and I really couldn’t find it in me to care.
I do like the characters and their friend group, how their dynamics play out and how they decide to trust each other no matter what. But as in the first book, I wish we’d seen more of the group and less of Zhou x Daiyu couple troubles.
My review for Want
This was very much a case of unmet expectations and a bit of an unseasoned sequel. The first couple chapters were very strong and emotional and I was ready to get emotionally wrecked. well, that didn’t happen.
First of all, this is not a book from Lingyi’s perspective. Yes, she has a few PoV chapters and we see slightly more of her but this is still very much centred around Zhou and his PoV chapters. We also get Daiyu’s perspective in this book which was interesting but I wished that it’d happened in the first book so this one could actually focus around Lingyi and Iris. So based on my expectations it was disappointing because by this point I don’t care about Zhou’s and Daiyu’s relationship anymore, I wanted to see other people in the limelight. If I’d read a couple of reviews before reading the book I would’ve known that but eh.
The plot in this book was also a bit muddy and unevenly paced. Things felt a bit repetitive and didn’t add to the social and environmental commentary of the first book. The stakes were somewhat higher and we know casualties can happen but it still didn’t feel like the characters were in any real danger. I didn’t feel nervous for them and I really couldn’t find it in me to care.
I do like the characters and their friend group, how their dynamics play out and how they decide to trust each other no matter what. But as in the first book, I wish we’d seen more of the group and less of Zhou x Daiyu couple troubles.
May 10, 2019
"I should've known better than to fall in love with a boy who plays with knives."
HOLY SHIT THIS WAS SO GOOD! The plot was incredible, I loved the narration of the audiobook, and I adore every single one of the characters. But I do think my favorite parts were 1) every time Daiyu called Iris "my heart" (I LOVE a sapphic power couple), 2) the fact that one of the mc's talked about going to therapy after the main events because YES therapy is so, so important. Especially if you've gone through such traumatic events. And 3) honestly? Everything in between. This book was excellent.
HOLY SHIT THIS WAS SO GOOD! The plot was incredible, I loved the narration of the audiobook, and I adore every single one of the characters. But I do think my favorite parts were 1) every time Daiyu called Iris "my heart" (I LOVE a sapphic power couple), 2) the fact that one of the mc's talked about going to therapy after the main events because YES therapy is so, so important. Especially if you've gone through such traumatic events. And 3) honestly? Everything in between. This book was excellent.
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