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rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Manu and her mother are undocumented, laying low to protect themselves from Manu's father's crime family. But when Manu stumbles into the truth about her mother's job, she's also thrust into the truth about her father that will show her a side of herself that she never knew existed.
Garber builds upon folklore to create a magical realist coming of age story. The story starts in one area, following Manu and her mother, but it quickly becomes more than that as Garber explores family history, growing up, and what it means to be undocumented in the United States. Manu is an engaging and at times frustrating character, who is easy to care for. Her search for her father and to learn more about his past adds just enough mystery to create an engaging through line in the story. Adding in a full cast of characters that are distinct in both their frustrating characteristics and their lovable ones, a setting change that provides new opportunities for Manu, and a hint of magic make this story heartfelt, adventurous, and thought provoking.
As this is one half of a duology, Garber leaves the end of the story at a high point of action and a turning point for Manu. I'm interested to see what happens next and to learn more about the world that Garber has created.
Graphic: Grief, Xenophobia, and Racism
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Violence
author2223's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Racism
ellythequeen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Confinement, and Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Drug use, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content
bethann's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Racism and Homophobia
shortstackz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexism, Racism, and Physical abuse
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, and Misogyny
constantlybooked7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault
rachelgronbach's review against another edition
4.0
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, and Xenophobia
thefightinside's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Lesbophobia
tahsintries's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia
foreverinastory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Rep: Undocumented Argentinian female MC, Latine male love interest, Latine WLW couple, Latine cast.
CWs: Abandonment, blood, body shaming (for unusual eye color), confinement, drug use (sedatives), homophobia/homomisia, injury/injury detail, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, misogyny, outing, racism, sexism, transphobia/transmisia, violence, xenophobia.
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexism, Transphobia, Violence, and Xenophobia