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reaghan02's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
blackcatkai's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
CW: transphobia, homophobia, bullying, casual ableism
this was a wonderful story of self discovery and i am so glad i read it.
this was a wonderful story of self discovery and i am so glad i read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Ableism
tinyjude's review
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
4.75
This ownvoices coming-of-age novel grabs your hand and gently guides you through the journey of Sasha Masha discovering himself and coming to terms with his transness (Sasha uses he/him pronouns through the whole novel but you can guess he might change his pronouns later on once he discovers himself further, nevertheless, I will stick with the ones he used to refer to himself just in case). The story is told from his flawed perspective as a 17 years old teen, who has always tried to be what society and his parents wanted him to be, but felt as if he was faking everything. His feelings and thoughts as a trans person figuring himself out were raw, simple, yet very emotional and relatable. Trans experiences are not a monolith, but I surely was able to find some of his experiences to match with my own internal turmoil as a teenager (my own body dysphoria or my own self-denial and self-hate at times).
The novel is very short and may leave you wanting to see more of his journey, however I felt that it was quite adequate. It gives you a glimpse of who he is while also leaving the door open for trans or queer readers to see themselves here and finish the(ir) story. Overall it was very beautiful. He was messy, you wanted to shake him off and scream at him at times, but you also understood the complexity of his journey, his fears and all the things that escaped his control while he denied his own identity, so you wanted to hug him and tell him everythin will be fine. However, the novel also hints at a possible reconciliation with all the mistakes, people and hurt he has caused over his journey, proving that there is room for growth (such as he had in the novel) and that, sometimes, all people need is time to heal, to understand, to learn how to put emotions into words in order to fix errors. That was also very beautiful and left a good taste on my mouth, the idea that even though you have hurt others unintentionally, there is still room to engage in conversations, to forgive, to say sorry and slowly make it up for those you hurt.
It also made me think about how different queer generations use language, as older queer characters used more slurs (reclaiming them) and their views differed from the younger ones. It's important to keep in mind those generational gaps and try to find language, bridges, to reconciliate with one another and learn from all experiences. And the idea of a hall full of images of queer people in order to remember them and remind yourself queer people have always existed in all shapes, forms, times, etc... a beautiful way to pay homage to those all over the world which made it possible for us to be here, and who give us strength to keep fighting.
So happy and grateful to be able to live in a time in which I can find more ownvoices queer books. May we be able to read and write many more in the years to come.
The novel is very short and may leave you wanting to see more of his journey, however I felt that it was quite adequate. It gives you a glimpse of who he is while also leaving the door open for trans or queer readers to see themselves here and finish the(ir) story. Overall it was very beautiful. He was messy, you wanted to shake him off and scream at him at times, but you also understood the complexity of his journey, his fears and all the things that escaped his control while he denied his own identity, so you wanted to hug him and tell him everythin will be fine. However, the novel also hints at a possible reconciliation with all the mistakes, people and hurt he has caused over his journey, proving that there is room for growth (such as he had in the novel) and that, sometimes, all people need is time to heal, to understand, to learn how to put emotions into words in order to fix errors. That was also very beautiful and left a good taste on my mouth, the idea that even though you have hurt others unintentionally, there is still room to engage in conversations, to forgive, to say sorry and slowly make it up for those you hurt.
It also made me think about how different queer generations use language, as older queer characters used more slurs (reclaiming them) and their views differed from the younger ones. It's important to keep in mind those generational gaps and try to find language, bridges, to reconciliate with one another and learn from all experiences. And the idea of a hall full of images of queer people in order to remember them and remind yourself queer people have always existed in all shapes, forms, times, etc... a beautiful way to pay homage to those all over the world which made it possible for us to be here, and who give us strength to keep fighting.
So happy and grateful to be able to live in a time in which I can find more ownvoices queer books. May we be able to read and write many more in the years to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
victoriasreads's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
this was a beautiful read: i loved the language and the slow unraveling of sasha masha’s identity journey. i will admit the end lost me a little bit plot-wise, but i did enjoy the beginning. i don’t necessarily recommend it for that reason, but for anyone looking to understand some of the complexities of the trans experience, i do suggest giving this book a try!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
katherine_kelley's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Reminded me of The Perks of Bring a Wallflower, but less depressing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
ceciliabereadin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Transphobia
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
This is a quick read, but it definitely packs an emotional punch. Alex is struggling with gender identity, trying to figure out where he fits. Borinsky really captures that aspect of the story well, as you can feel Alex's emotions leap off the page. Figuring yourself out as a teenager isn't easy, and it can be even harder if you don't have the words to describe how you feel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing
One mention of HPplantbasedbride's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Sasha Masha is a snapshot of a young person coming to terms with their identity. A story about how, without representation, education, and support, it can be difficult to find out who we truly are. A story about community and transformation. Vulnerable and honest and wholesome and lovely.
“I think we’ve each got a mystery inside of us... and as people our job is to respect that mystery... we’re all part of a whole big picture, and if we’re not doing our best to unfold the strange somethings inside of us, we’re not doing right by everybody else. If we’re not unfolding our hearts we’re holding them back, we’re flinching, and that’s how we hurt people. That’s how we make ourselves and the whole world smaller.”
This isn’t a perfect book, it’s a bit short and some of the characters are underdeveloped. There’s also the use of homophobic slurs by those within the community choosing to reclaim them which will likely be upsetting to some readers. Still, I think this book is worth the read. It’s a poignant slice-of-life own voices YA story about a teenager discovering they’re trans. And it’s the type of story we need to see more of.
Thank you to fierce reads and Libro.fm for providing an ALC of Sasha Masha.
“I think we’ve each got a mystery inside of us... and as people our job is to respect that mystery... we’re all part of a whole big picture, and if we’re not doing our best to unfold the strange somethings inside of us, we’re not doing right by everybody else. If we’re not unfolding our hearts we’re holding them back, we’re flinching, and that’s how we hurt people. That’s how we make ourselves and the whole world smaller.”
This isn’t a perfect book, it’s a bit short and some of the characters are underdeveloped. There’s also the use of homophobic slurs by those within the community choosing to reclaim them which will likely be upsetting to some readers. Still, I think this book is worth the read. It’s a poignant slice-of-life own voices YA story about a teenager discovering they’re trans. And it’s the type of story we need to see more of.
Thank you to fierce reads and Libro.fm for providing an ALC of Sasha Masha.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
booksandprosecco's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Homophobia
gabriellejane's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Listened on libro.fm thanks to their ALC program. This book was enjoyable from start to finish. My only complaints are that it was wayyy too short and the dialogue/ back and forth was a little meh at times. A perfect book for YA readers.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
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