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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
TW: sexual abuse of a child (inferred), brief mention of several kinds of abuse
This is a good story- it’s a dark utopia where “monsters” are “extinct” until they aren’t. The MC is a black transgender girl who becomes friends with a mysterious creature and together they hunt down the monster that isn’t supposed to exist. Honestly, the entire premise was super promising and intriguing but I couldn’t get with the wiring style. Because Pet and Jam talked a lot in their heads and thus, dialogue quotations were used, my brain had a hard time realising it WAS a conversation and I would accidentally read over it without reading it. I also think it could be longer. This book had so much build up about Jam coming to terms with the idea that monsters do exist that I felt like the world wasn’t really explored. It talks about biblical angels in the beginning, and while that kinda comes into play, it really doesn’t and I didn’t see how it all related? There was a lot of pieces to this puzzle, unfortunately only like a third of them fit into the larger picture.
I will say that I loved the idea of making an example out of the monster instead of just hunting him down and killing him. It really brought to life the issues that (even in the real world) come about when someone takes justice into their own hands- it makes it harder for others to be heard.
In all, I think this story is important and needed to be told this way BUT I just did not enjoy how the writing was executed.
Took a while for me to get into it but the ending was pretty engaging.
What an incredible work of art. This is a book that everyone would benefit from reading. Thought provoking and inspiring. Even though the plot was predictable, I was speechless by the end of it due to the power the author gave Jam, the young girl who plays our main character.
This was fantastic!
I love how the utopia isn't an absolute lie. We see that it's an accepting, tolerant world. The protagonist is trans and neurodivergent, and the world easily accomodates her. Her trans identity isn't treated as endlessly traumatic, and is instead represented through her everyday experiences and sensations.
And yet, the evil is solid and real and insidious. It embraces complexity where necessary. The monsters and angels are fascinating.
Would highly recommend (but read the content warnings).
I love how the utopia isn't an absolute lie. We see that it's an accepting, tolerant world. The protagonist is trans and neurodivergent, and the world easily accomodates her. Her trans identity isn't treated as endlessly traumatic, and is instead represented through her everyday experiences and sensations.
And yet, the evil is solid and real and insidious. It embraces complexity where necessary. The monsters and angels are fascinating.
Would highly recommend (but read the content warnings).
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
I thought this was one of the most impactful middle grade novels I've ever read.
Full of wonderful Black artists, a trans girl protagonist who signs, a librarian who uses a wheelchair, this book is so joyful to read in regards of representation.
This is hopeful, and realistic, and full of confirmation that the world can and will be a better place.
Full of wonderful Black artists, a trans girl protagonist who signs, a librarian who uses a wheelchair, this book is so joyful to read in regards of representation.
This is hopeful, and realistic, and full of confirmation that the world can and will be a better place.
Borrowed from Portsmouth library.
Wow!
This book was a breath of fresh air. It was wonderfully refreshing to read a transgirl's story and it not be focussed on her being a transwomen. Jam lives in Lucille where they have supposedly dealt with all the monsters. The monsters being the 'phobics, abusers, 'ists and far right damaging conservative mindsets.
There are so many different characters and representation going on you would think it would be overwhelming and distracting but Emezi's writing means that it is all just the way it is in her world building and doesn't need to be an opportunity to teach the reader. Just having the representation there is enough. From transgender to non-binary to polyamory to people of colour it is all just accepted.
More books like this need to exist for young adults and adults alike. Normalising the LGBTQ+ and people of colour inclusivity makes for an interesting and loving story.
Thank you to Jo for reviewing this book otherwise I wouldn't have added it to my to-read list.
Wow!
This book was a breath of fresh air. It was wonderfully refreshing to read a transgirl's story and it not be focussed on her being a transwomen. Jam lives in Lucille where they have supposedly dealt with all the monsters. The monsters being the 'phobics, abusers, 'ists and far right damaging conservative mindsets.
There are so many different characters and representation going on you would think it would be overwhelming and distracting but Emezi's writing means that it is all just the way it is in her world building and doesn't need to be an opportunity to teach the reader. Just having the representation there is enough. From transgender to non-binary to polyamory to people of colour it is all just accepted.
More books like this need to exist for young adults and adults alike. Normalising the LGBTQ+ and people of colour inclusivity makes for an interesting and loving story.
Thank you to Jo for reviewing this book otherwise I wouldn't have added it to my to-read list.