If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of If You Could See the Sun in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang is a smart, sharp, and emotionally grounded debut that brings something truly fresh to the young adult genre. Set in an elite Beijing international boarding school, the novel follows Alice Sun, a scholarship student who has always felt invisible—until she actually becomes invisible. What starts as a strange and terrifying discovery soon turns into an opportunity Alice can’t ignore.
The Details
Alice’s life is a study in contrasts. Her classmates live in luxury while her parents struggle to afford the tuition. She’s one of the smartest students at the school, yet she constantly feels like she doesn’t belong. When her body begins to fade in and out of visibility, Alice decides to monetize her strange new ability. She starts taking on secret jobs for her wealthy classmates, exposing their secrets and doing their dirty work—for a price.
Liang’s writing is crisp, engaging, and full of insight. She balances humor, heartbreak, and tension with ease. Alice’s voice feels authentic, filled with dry wit, frustration, and fierce determination. The decisions she makes are messy and complicated, which makes her feel all the more real. Liang doesn’t shy away from difficult questions: What happens when you cross the line for the right reasons? How do you keep your sense of self when the world wants to erase it?
The story’s magical element—Alice’s invisibility—serves as a smart metaphor for class and power. Alice isn’t just invisible in the literal sense. She’s overlooked, underestimated, and excluded by a world designed for the ultra-rich. Liang uses this premise to explore economic inequality, academic pressure, and the often invisible emotional toll of always having to prove yourself.
One of the book’s most enjoyable aspects is the dynamic between Alice and her academic rival, Henry Li. Their chemistry is electric from the start, full of banter, tension, and vulnerability. As their partnership deepens, their relationship evolves in surprising and heartwarming ways. It adds a romantic thread to the story without overshadowing its larger themes.
The Beijing setting gives the novel a rich and immersive backdrop. Liang includes just enough detail to paint a vivid picture without slowing the story. The school is a world of privilege and ambition, but also one of intense pressure and rigid expectations. Through Alice’s eyes, readers see both the glamor and the cracks beneath the surface.
This isn’t just a fun or clever book—it’s also meaningful. Liang asks what it really means to be seen, and whether visibility is a privilege, a curse, or something you have to fight for. She also explores what happens when ambition and desperation collide, especially for someone who feels like she has no other options.
If You Could See the Sun is perfect for fans of They Both Die at the End, Ace of Spades, or The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks. It blends mystery, magic, and a strong emotional core. Best of all, it introduces a heroine who is flawed, fierce, and unforgettable.
This book made me think, laugh, and tear up—and I couldn’t put it down. Ann Liang is an author to watch, and this debut proves she’s here to stay.
The Verdict
If you’re looking for a YA novel that’s smart, timely, and full of heart, don’t miss If You Could See the Sun. It’s one of the most original reads I’ve come across in a long time.
