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careinthelibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this one. The characters leapt off the page and the romance is really cute. It didn't just do the cute and warm well, it also discussed dark topics and themes in a realistic and empathetic way. I love the callouts to very real and important movements, I hope this inspires research in those who haven't encountered them before. It's very readable; I finished very quickly and can't wait for a new release from this author. For fans of <i>Cafe Con Lychee, Felix Ever After, and The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School</i>. Contemporary YA romance with a good sense of humour and its heart in the right place. I won't soon forget these characters and their intense sense of loyalty, love, and friendship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation, Kidnapping, and Colonisation
Moderate: Police brutality, Racism, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
amesnotamy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Police brutality, Racism, Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Deportation
author2223's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Trafficking
angeldaft's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
So... I hated this book. I had a hard time getting through it. I didn't like the main character (they're insufferable for me), I found the li boring and the supporting cast was a 100% more interesting than them. The story felt too slow at the start and then devolved into bunch of loose events with no plot.
But I can't with a good heart rate it any lower than this, because I think It's a very important book. I personally didn't like it, but I think a lot of young people would benefit from reading it. If you love cheesy romances, can deal with teenagers acting as such and don't hate instalove then go for it. It has a really good message and a very hopeful ending. I hope you enjoy it more than I did.
But I can't with a good heart rate it any lower than this, because I think It's a very important book. I personally didn't like it, but I think a lot of young people would benefit from reading it. If you love cheesy romances, can deal with teenagers acting as such and don't hate instalove then go for it. It has a really good message and a very hopeful ending. I hope you enjoy it more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation, Drug use, Trafficking, Vomit, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Death of parent and Police brutality
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deportation, Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Drug use and Police brutality
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
lettuce_read's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Deportation, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Police brutality, and Kidnapping
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? No
5.0
Ander & Santi Were Here is a young adult/new adult book about finding home, finding voice, and finding love. Ander and Santi may be fighting for different things, but together, they learn to use their voice, art, and love to fit into a brutal yet beautiful world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Police brutality, Drug use, and Kidnapping
Minor: Trafficking, Sexual content, and Violence
chronicacademia's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deportation
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Police brutality
betweentheshelves's review
emotional
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? No
4.5
Working at their family's taqueria in their home in San Antonia, Texas is all Ander has ever known. In fact, their home is what inspired them to be a muralist, to follow their dreams to become an artist. However, in order to make sure they make the best of their gap year between high school and college, their family "fires" them. Now, they have the chance to focus on their art.
Until Santi enters the picture. Santi, Ander's replacement at the restaurant, inspires Ander to explore their identity as an artist. Makes them feel more like themselves. But the threat of ICE agents hang over both of their heads. And they'll realize how fragile their new home really is.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for an advanced copy of Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa! This is their second YA book, and it packs a punch. Just like Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun. Both of these books explore the idea of that transition period between high school and college, especially when you find someone you connect with. If you haven't read their other book, I highly recommend it!
This book focuses on Ander's gap year, meeting with a mentor before they go off to an art program. However, part of the story is about their artistic journey, learning that they maybe don't have to follow the conventional path. And that those college art programs can sometimes put you into a specific box. I loved the way that art was woven into this story, and how it related to Ander's own growth as a person.
Their chemistry with Santi is also well written. Being undocumented, Santi has seen a lot of difficulties, but you can just tell that he feels safe with Ander. There were so many cute moments between them, and they both have a wonderful, vibrant community around them. A community that would do anything to make sure that they both feel safe.
Villa's writing has also gotten stronger in this book, with descriptions written in a way that just makes the images leap off the page. I honestly wanted to go paint something when I was done reading this!
All in all, another beautiful novel by Villa. Can't wait to see what they write next.
Until Santi enters the picture. Santi, Ander's replacement at the restaurant, inspires Ander to explore their identity as an artist. Makes them feel more like themselves. But the threat of ICE agents hang over both of their heads. And they'll realize how fragile their new home really is.
Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday books for an advanced copy of Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa! This is their second YA book, and it packs a punch. Just like Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun. Both of these books explore the idea of that transition period between high school and college, especially when you find someone you connect with. If you haven't read their other book, I highly recommend it!
This book focuses on Ander's gap year, meeting with a mentor before they go off to an art program. However, part of the story is about their artistic journey, learning that they maybe don't have to follow the conventional path. And that those college art programs can sometimes put you into a specific box. I loved the way that art was woven into this story, and how it related to Ander's own growth as a person.
Their chemistry with Santi is also well written. Being undocumented, Santi has seen a lot of difficulties, but you can just tell that he feels safe with Ander. There were so many cute moments between them, and they both have a wonderful, vibrant community around them. A community that would do anything to make sure that they both feel safe.
Villa's writing has also gotten stronger in this book, with descriptions written in a way that just makes the images leap off the page. I honestly wanted to go paint something when I was done reading this!
All in all, another beautiful novel by Villa. Can't wait to see what they write next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, and Deportation
Moderate: Kidnapping and Police brutality
Minor: Violence, Trafficking, and Sexual content
bookreviewswithkb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
look at this coverrrr 😍
highly recommend this one, especially if you enjoy young adult fiction and/or romance. absolutely beautiful storytelling with impeccable characters. i really appreciated the seamlessness of the identity aspects and the portrayal of Ander’s family having full acceptance of them. it felt like this was a gift of trans and queer identities being extremely normalized, just a part of the story rather than the story itself. you will 100% be sucked into Ander’s world
this novel is packed with wittiness and is extremely current and youthful in its language, with great reflections on culture and politics and a ton of great representation
don’t hate me but it did feel a little cheesy and unrealistic at times, which is the only reason it’s not a 5 star for me
thank you so much to @goodreads and @wednesdaybooks for the ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Deportation
Moderate: Kidnapping and Police brutality