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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
aitanavec's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
3.75
It's a beautiful and necessary story. I wish it was a little bit longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
nadia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.25
This was a lovely little audiobook. I think this is the first time I've read a book from this perspective and so I very much appreciated that aspect of the story and I will be seeking out similar literature for sure. Ultimately, I think the novel lacked a little something for me. Perhaps I was hoping for a little more depth, or a little more character development. It was over so quickly! Still, it's definitely worth a listen if the themes of gender identity and sexuality, and especially figuring those out as a teenager, appeal to you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
abbie_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
3.25
Cute and I loved the idea that self-discovery is never something that's over - it's a constantly evolving journey. Sasha Masha's journey felt like it was just beginning at the end of the book and I liked that. But it all felt a bit rushed, I basically listened to the audiobook in one sitting and it was all over too fast. Still, I'd recommend it for something quick and sweet!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
megj23's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia
aus10england's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
medium-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? Yes
3.5
A simple yet very sweet story about a young girl coming to terms with her gender! What an amazing book to have exist today. Easy to follow along.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
emordnilap's review
4.75
beautiful exploration of finding gender identity and self
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
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