**I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo was, simply put, one of the best books in 2017. I had heard a lot about this book, so I decided to see if the hype was worth it. And it was! 100% definitely worth the hype.

Genie Lo is a Chinese-American girl who's only focused on one thing: getting into a good college. Then Quentin Sun walks into her class and changes her life. He tells her that all the people and demons from Chinese folklore are real. And they have to fight the demons together because she has a secret power that she never knew about. So, you know, Genie reacts like any rational person would.

She punches him.

I'm paraphrasing, of course, but that's pretty much the gist of the book. Genie is a tall, angry girl, and I love her so much. She just wants to live her life, and Quentin has to come ruin it. It's understandable why she reacts the way she does throughout the book. I totally related to Genie (although I'm not a tol :/), especially with her focus on school.

And the mythology! I'm not Chinese, so I didn't know a lot of it, but it's all explained so well. I'm assuming you all know Percy Jackson and the Olympians? Yeah, this book is just as good, and I don't make that comparison lightly. Genie hears and summarizes all the mythology in her own biting tone. Her humor and her witty comebacks made me actually laugh out loud at times. I was smiling throughout the entire book, and I think I highlighted nearly a third of it, which is a lot considering I usually don't highlight anything.

I don't want to spoil anything, so just trust me when I say you need this book, especially if you're a fan of PJO. We need more books like this, with Asian mythology and humor and Asian protagonists. I'm a little sad that I read this as an ARC actually because I cannot wait a full year for the sequel :(. So seriously, pick this book up on August 18th. You won't regret it.

"Genie Lo" was such a fun, kick ass read-thank you!

4.5 stars

THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO is, so far, one of the best books i've ever read this year. it has been recommended to me on twitter, and it certainly did not disappoint. seriously, if this book isn't on your radar, it should be.

THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO is about, well, Genie Lo, an angry teenager who tries her best to get into the college of her dreams. but when a demon invasion threatens her sleepy town, she'd have to do things she'd never thought she could do, like fighting demons, interacting with gods, alongside with Quentin Sun, the "weird" new transfer in her school, in order to save herself, her family, and her town. inspired by chinese folklore and legend, this book is EPIC (pun intented).

other than the fact that it was a TINY LITTLE BIT slow sometimes, TECOGL was everything i could ask for in a book. it has action, the plot was SO great, and it was incredibly funny. it also breaks stereotypes by including the tall girl/short boy trope. though it didn't play a huge role in the plot,  that romance was EVERYTHING. i just found myself rooting for them and shipping them so hard.

SO. read THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO if you like:
+ chinese folklore
+ stories that are inspired by ancient legends, mythology, etc.
+ informative stuff
+ sarcasm
+ super kick-ass characters
+ basically if you like Riordan's books, you'll love this one too.

It’s been a couple of days since I’ve finished this book and I’m STILL NOT OVER IT. Seriously, I have all the love for this book to the moon and beyond. But I told myself I’d finish this review so I can schedule it and spread the love when closer to release date. THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO immediately grasped my attention with its fierce cover and tag. I knew about a Chinese-American girl trying to juggle fighting demons and a supernatural power she never knew she had. That’s all I knew, and I was already excited. When I got a bit more into the book, I fell absolutely in love with its hilarious narrative, Chinese folklore, and refreshing characters. This is the book my Chinese teen heart has been pining for since a young child, and it’s one that really resonated with me.

Genie’s your average, Asian-American student at a competitive prep school, looking to be at the top and go to a prestigious college. Her worries basically revolve around preparing for AP tests, her best friend Yoonie, and making conversation with her mother. But with the arrival of a mysterious classmate, her life pretty much turns upside-down. He comes from a super popular Chinese folklore story that I’ve never seen incorporated in a YA novel – one that I’ve always wished for while growing up. With his arrival also comes demons and goddesses that throw Genie’s Californian town into chaos. 

“‘You are the most powerful thing on Earth short of a god. You can do absolutely anything.’”

The story that Quentin comes out of is called Journey to the West, and much of the storyline is summarized in down-to-earth colloquial terms by Genie in the book. While this ancient text originated in China, there are also lots of interpretations from across the East Asia region (fun fact: Goku from Dragonball Z was modeled after the main character). I’ve watched multiple movie versions of it and TV shows – both cartoon and live-action. It’s the kind of story that each Chinese household knows, or at least has heard of. Yee incorporates elements and characters of this story in present-day California, giving it a Riordan-esque feel as mythology melds with reality. I love the fact that it explores such a well-known story in Chinese culture, instead of the heavily popularized Greek and Roman myths that YA books like to use. The exposure of this story not only brings a refreshing take on YA, but also spreads a bit of Chinese culture and traditions. Always a plus!

So after the big reveal and Genie finally gets onboard with the mission she’s given (trust me, she enters with much reservation), her and Quentin embark on an adventure to bring the demons on earth back to hell. Fun stuff… except for the fact that she has to worry about college applications, keeping up her grades, staying on top of her social life, and all the other extracurriculars she has. I loved Genie’s representation as a competitive student, as well as her family life as a Chinese teen. She’s super worried about getting into college and Yee often adds comedic humor on the whole application process in America. The focus on her academics throughout the book was awesome to see and super relatable. There’s also great integration of Chinese culture in the book as well. Genie’s mother loves to keep on appearances and is so, so funny. Pretty much every Chinese Mom ™ with her antics. There’s a great discussion on the pressure Genie puts on herself academically, and a breakdown of common stereotypes for Chinese characters (including the fact that they’re not all quiet/meek, and not all are prodigies in musical instruments). 

There’s a romance that goes on in the book and the ship is so. So. Cute. Like, adorkably cute and super subtle. It’s not a large part of the story at all – very light, in fact – but it’s solid and there to stay. Genie’s first response when Quentin first talks to her (in a very awkward and very forward way) is to punch him. She’s a girl after my own heart. She’s extremelyyy suspicious of him at first, but eventually warms up to his hilarious and sometimes strange antics. Genie is also a big believer in science so seeing all the supernatural stuff going around her makes her even more wary. Quentin is just adorkable. Let me just say: HEIGHT DIFFERENFE. Genie is much taller than Quentin and if that’s not cute I’m not sure what you’re looking for. All the other characters – from Genie’s school peers to the gods she gets introduced to – are all just a breath of fresh air with their hilarious antics and dialogue.  

“Kissing Quentin was as rough and as confrontational as any of our other interactions, and I loved it.”

There are honestly not enough words to describe how much I love this book. You’ll definitely find more gushing on my Twitter and the Be On The Lookout post. Either way, my love for this book goes to the heavens and beyond. It’s the book of my childhood heart, the book that has a place in my soul. From Genie and her refreshing friends and adventure, the addition of Chinese folklore, and the heightened focus on academics as well as demonic peril all make THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO an unforgettable book. Anyone who says otherwise can fight me.

I received an advance copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have a number of friends who have loved this book, so I was quite excited to read it. During the first 20% or so, I really was not enjoying it, but I knew there had to be a reason my friends were raving about it so I kept going. I’m glad I did. It got so much better.

While the beginning felt like I’d been dumped into the story without getting to orient myself, once things had a time to settle with me, I started to really enjoy it. Something that had annoyed me about the beginning was later explained properly, which helped me set that all aside and get on with loving the book.

THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO has an ownvoices Chinese-American MC and is based heavily on Chinese folklore. Enough information about the lore is provided so that plebs like me understand what’s going on. It did feel a little info-dumpy at times but I didn’t actually mind, given that Genie, the protagonist, needed the information anyway. It was the most efficient way to get all the mythological information across in that particular situation.

The thing that really makes this book stand out, aside from the Chinese demon-fighting premise, is Genie’s voice. Genie is hilarious. I also loved that she was allowed to get angry and that her wittiest lines tended to happen when she was pissed off. We need angry girls in YA. We need girls who are allowed to express their rage. And I will never, ever, get tired of well-written snarky heroines.

The love interest, Quentin, annoyed the piss out of me, which I’m guessing was intentional, and I probably enjoyed seeing him getting punched a little too much at times. He did grow during the course of the story, though, and romantic overtures only really got off the ground once he stopped being too much of a dickhead to Genie. Anyone who loves height differences in their ships will get a kick out of this one, considering Genie is extremely tall and Quentin is a short little gremlin. The more m/f stories I read, though, the more I realise I must be on the asexual spectrum because apparently everyone in these stories notices sexy things about people when they’re angry at them. I mean, what? I’m not annoyed, but it’s such a thing with m/f, I swear. It’s actually funny to me now.

I also loved Genie’s relationship with her friends and family. People who hate absent parents in YA have no fear here. She also has to balance her academics and the fuckery of American college prep. There’s just so much packed into this book. Once I got into it, I really got into it.

THE EPIC CRUSH OF GENIE LO is a frigging riot of a read, perfect for fans of snarky heroines, mythology and demon-hunting. Fans of Buffy and Percy Jackson should feel right at home here.

The Epic Crush of Genie Lo is one of my favorite books this year. It's right there on top of the list and you all should definitely have it on your radar, because if not, you're so doing it wrong.

If you're into Chinese folklore, demons and action but also a slice of college applications and schoolwork, Genie Lo is so right for you! It has humor and an amazing storyline. The characters had all these layers that you think you have them all figured out but they always had something beneath that!

Also the build-up for the ship in this book is so well done. I was already rooting for Quentin and Genie to be together since he first appeared and told her she was his. The dynamic and banter between these two is my favorite to be honest. They have become one couple I will always recommend and root for in the next book for sure. I want my demon slaying duo to succeed in life and in love and to be happy forever.

Can't wait for this to become NYT Bestseller because it deserves it times a million. This is the kind of story I wish I could see more in book community.

I have all the love for this book and it may be my newest favorite for June. The Epic Crush of Genie Lo is narrated with humor, based on Chinese folklore, and has an amazing balance between the ordinary and the unreal. What more is there to love?

One of the most amazing things about this book, and there are plenty, is the mixture of Chinese Folklore and this YA setting. As someone not as well versed as they’d like to be, this was like having an intense story time session and then watching the events play out. While the synopsis doesn’t reveal too much, this story takes the folklore to a new level, one that I think is incredibly nuanced and extremely special. 

Genie Lo has to be one of my spirit characters, except she is really tall. I have never felt like I resonated so much with a character until Genie and that, in and of itself, is so precious to me. She is nerdy, goal driven, and humorous. Her narration style keeps you flipping pages as she is both honest, clever, and sassy. One hundred percent who I wanted my high school self to be and about, probably, sixty percent of who I was. 

Speaking of characters, I enjoyed all of them. Everyone from Quentin, to her best friend, to her parents. They each had something that defined them as a person, not just a plot twist. Whether it be an annoying sense of humor, a violin hobby, or their backstory, it was each a fabulous piece of their backstory and personality. Quentin especially grew on me, and the others I loved from the very beginning. 

Yee balances the mundane and the supernatural fabulously, even mixing them when you’d least expect it. There’s meeting with college prep advisors and goddesses all in one day. At the same time as having problems with her best friend, Genie also is having problems figuring out how she can harness this inner strength she has to fight. Neither side feels incomplete, instead they work together and only become stronger because of their synergy. The struggles she undergoes range from inviting a boy over to dinner, to figuring out how we simultaneously fight for the future of the world, while not endangering those we love (a typical superhero problem). 

Basically you need to read this so we can talk about it, because there are so many other aspects, nuanced plot details, or little realizations of Genie’s that I need to talk about. There’s something in this book for everyone: some comedic situations with dinner faux pas, action filled fights against hostile spiritual entities, tender moments between parents and children, and a smidge of well-earned romance. Do yourself a favor and read this, you will not regret it.

This book was so, so good! So much fun and snark and humour and I can't recommend it enough!

This is one of my favorite books of 2017. Genie Lo is snarky, self-conscious about her height, and also the reincarnation of a character from Chinese mythology. Her infuriating yet gorgeous crush holds the key to her developing her powers, and together, the two of them must defeat the hundred demons that escaped from Hell just to hunt them down.

A setting ripe with characters straight from Chinese folklore, The Epic Crush of Genie Lo blends unfamiliar elements with the familiar trope of a character discovering that she has powers in a normally mundane setting. A fast paced read, I only wish some moments had been slowed down so I could enjoy the action more. A good start for a new author, I think that many readers will enjoy Epic Crush's urban fantasy vibe. 

A full review can be found on [a cup of tea and an armful of books] closer to this book's release date!

I received an ARC of Epic Crush of Genie Lo through NetGalley. I requested this ARC because of the cover. It looks absolutely awesome! Also, someone on Twitter (I forgot who, sorry!) said that it would fit the requirements for some of the boxes for Asian Lit Bingo.

This book is #ownvoices.

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I am so in love with this book. I've been reading so many superhero books at the moment, so I kind of thought that Genie was going to a superhero school - thus I was confused for a few pages.

I was really interested in how Genie was dealing with the revelation of who she is and who she was in her past life and how this influenced her thoughts and actions.

The worldbuilding is epic in this book. It's solidly written and once you read the revelations and get past all the twists and turns, you'll see how much sense it makes. It fits in smoothly with the workings of the real world and doesn't feel out of place in any way. Like seriously, I could imagine this happening in our world.

Genie's allergic to pollen and I totally feel her, especially due to the high-pollen-count days I've been experiencing at the moment. This was so cool to read about, because, let's be honest, how often is someone allergic to pollen in a book? Not very often. Also, I could totally relate to Genie's reaction to the tattoo. I'm a huge Genie fan!

The humour in this book is wonderful. Quentin is hilarious. I laughed at the reference to white vampires. It was so funny, not only what Quentin said to Genie, but also his other reaction to her action.

It's an unsual story, and I don't think I've ever read something quite like this. It provided a non-dry analysis about choice and whether objects can think for themselves.  I also learnt quite a bit about Chinese mythology through this book.

The romance aspect was great and seriously, I know I've never read of a romance quite like this one and I doubt that most of you will have. I liked that it wasn't the main focus of the story. It was so adorable!

I hope that the finished book does not include the ableist terms "crazy", "putting deposits into the First National Bank of Sanity", "psycho" and "craziness".
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I am so happy that I was able to read Epic Crush of Genie Lo as an ARC and I really hope that you people are interested in this book after my review. It's a light and fun read. I highly recommend it!

From the first page, this book is completely bananas in a wonderfully joyous, unhinged way. I can't tell you how gratifying it is to read a book in which supernatural stuff happens and the main female character, rather than responding with some version of "Oh gee, he's so hot, I'm going to just stick around despite all the oddness because hot!" heads for the hills because "HOLY SHIT EVERYTHING IS SO WEIRD AND WRONG WRONG WRONG." Add to that Genie's wonky confidence and wholly individual personality, and the book is a hell of a lot of fun. In addition to an engaging (did I mention bananas?) central plot, the story is shot through with myth and legend, anchored firmly in Chinese history and folklore. It's great to read a book that is so effortlessly #ownvoices, particularly when it increasingly feels like nods to marginalized identities and stories are becoming more token than sincere and well-rounded.

TL; DR: Recommended. Like, a lot.

Thanks to NetGalley and Abrams Kids for the ARC!

[The above review will be posted at the GoodReads link that's below, but not until a month before publication.]

Wasn't sure how I would enjoy this book after the ending of the heroine running away...but then all the puzzle pieces fell together and the story took it's shape. 
Loved every bit of the journey of Genie and her adventures!

This fantasy-adventure novel takes place in the Bay Area, featuring a Chinese-American teenager who discovers she's the human reincarnation of Ruyi Jingu Bang (the magical staff wielded by the immortal monkey Sun Wukong). Genie and Quentin (the current ... form? of the Sun Monkey) team up, albeit reluctantly on her part, to fight off the one hundred or so demons that are attacking the Bay Area. The Chinese folklore was a nice twist, but there were parts of the book that felt too rushed or completely ignored. For instance, in one scene Genie has to leave her best friend's concert recital in order to fight off the bad guys. While the author briefly explores Genie's guilt, he quickly jumps to several weeks in the future. This happened several times, and was a bit jarring for the reader. The last quarter of the book also felt incredibly rushed, and the acceleration of Genie and Quentin's relationship felt a bit weird.