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heyitsmeg777's review
5.0
NOTE: Thanks to Netgalley, TBRandBeyond tours, Daniel Aleman, and his publisher for the early eARC and for my first Physical ARC and for the chance to participate in my 2nd book tour!
"Change gives as much as it takes, and it can open doors you never even knew existed. And that is a wonderful thing. A wonderful thing, mija. Because without change, we can't grow. Without change, we can't gain perspective. And without change, it's impossible to see that the bad things only give place to the good, and that nothing worth having in life is permanent."
- Brighter Than The Sun, Daniel Aleman
When it comes to recommending authors or books that have changed my life, Daniel Aleman always comes to mind. I remember hearing the buzz about Indivisible coming out and following the author's Instagram page as he mentioned one of his favorite scenes involving a cockroach, and THAT was the moment I added the book to my list.
I will never regret that because not only did that cockroach scene make me laugh, the book itself changed the way I looked at immigration and it was one of the few books I went to review on Goodreads at the time. The book ripped my heart, chewed on it, spat it out again and gave me some hope despite the emotional turmoil but it was such a beautiful book and now, with Brighter Than The Sun hitting shelves on March 21st, Daniel Aleman has done it again.
So, onto all the feels for my second book tour then!
Short Summary: A girl named after loneliness embarks on a daily journey between borders to support her family, chase her dreams, and to hopefully, find happiness at the end of it all.
Long summary: Maria De La Soledad-- or Sol, for short has always had a heavy name to carry. Named after the Virgin Mary and plagued by not only the loneliness of her name, but the one constantly haunting her heart, her family depends on her to stay afloat financially.
The stakes? Crossing the border from Mexico to San Diego every day to go to school and work or have her family face more trouble. When Sol accepts a new job at Warren's, a clothing warehouse, she tells herself that a new job will bring more money to help her family. It will keep her Mami's restaurant open, the last legacy after her death. It will keep their family from falling apart.
But, no one told her she'd wake up more exhausted each day. No one told her it would be harder to stay on top of school and work. No one told her that her cute coworker could give her hope for a future that might not be in her old home in Tijuana.
And the more she is in San Diego, the less she wants to return to her difficult family life with a father who is harsh, a little brother who is always sad, an older brother who resents her and a grandmother who is barely keeping everything together. In the end, she will have to make a choice of who she wants to become....
Sol, the girl with hope... or Soledad, forever plagued by loneliness and sadness.
What I love about Daniel Aleman's book is how stepping into the character's shoes is something that is so easy, even with all the obstacles they face. They're characters I relate to, with burdens of carrying their families, with expectations that seem too high and with living between two worlds where we wonder what does it really mean to be American, and how exactly to make peace with the chaos of life. Aleman does this with a deeply moving narrative that had me laughing, smiling, and even tearing up at times.
I felt right at home following Sol's story and her full name was perfectly chosen with the weight and burden of her name being such an integral part of this book and I tip my hat in respect for this second book that will leave me patiently waiting for whatever else this author writes.
"Change gives as much as it takes, and it can open doors you never even knew existed. And that is a wonderful thing. A wonderful thing, mija. Because without change, we can't grow. Without change, we can't gain perspective. And without change, it's impossible to see that the bad things only give place to the good, and that nothing worth having in life is permanent."
- Brighter Than The Sun, Daniel Aleman
When it comes to recommending authors or books that have changed my life, Daniel Aleman always comes to mind. I remember hearing the buzz about Indivisible coming out and following the author's Instagram page as he mentioned one of his favorite scenes involving a cockroach, and THAT was the moment I added the book to my list.
I will never regret that because not only did that cockroach scene make me laugh, the book itself changed the way I looked at immigration and it was one of the few books I went to review on Goodreads at the time. The book ripped my heart, chewed on it, spat it out again and gave me some hope despite the emotional turmoil but it was such a beautiful book and now, with Brighter Than The Sun hitting shelves on March 21st, Daniel Aleman has done it again.
So, onto all the feels for my second book tour then!
Short Summary: A girl named after loneliness embarks on a daily journey between borders to support her family, chase her dreams, and to hopefully, find happiness at the end of it all.
Long summary: Maria De La Soledad-- or Sol, for short has always had a heavy name to carry. Named after the Virgin Mary and plagued by not only the loneliness of her name, but the one constantly haunting her heart, her family depends on her to stay afloat financially.
The stakes? Crossing the border from Mexico to San Diego every day to go to school and work or have her family face more trouble. When Sol accepts a new job at Warren's, a clothing warehouse, she tells herself that a new job will bring more money to help her family. It will keep her Mami's restaurant open, the last legacy after her death. It will keep their family from falling apart.
But, no one told her she'd wake up more exhausted each day. No one told her it would be harder to stay on top of school and work. No one told her that her cute coworker could give her hope for a future that might not be in her old home in Tijuana.
And the more she is in San Diego, the less she wants to return to her difficult family life with a father who is harsh, a little brother who is always sad, an older brother who resents her and a grandmother who is barely keeping everything together. In the end, she will have to make a choice of who she wants to become....
Sol, the girl with hope... or Soledad, forever plagued by loneliness and sadness.
What I love about Daniel Aleman's book is how stepping into the character's shoes is something that is so easy, even with all the obstacles they face. They're characters I relate to, with burdens of carrying their families, with expectations that seem too high and with living between two worlds where we wonder what does it really mean to be American, and how exactly to make peace with the chaos of life. Aleman does this with a deeply moving narrative that had me laughing, smiling, and even tearing up at times.
I felt right at home following Sol's story and her full name was perfectly chosen with the weight and burden of her name being such an integral part of this book and I tip my hat in respect for this second book that will leave me patiently waiting for whatever else this author writes.
taliebeth's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
thealien_em's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
uhohzmia's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
annknee's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
rdyourbookcase's review
3.0
BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN had such an interesting concept - one I had never thought of before: a teen girl lives in Mexico but commutes to the USA for high school. Unfortunately, the writing and the story were bland. I never felt like I got to know the main character. There was a real opportunity for suspense but the author didn't take advantage of it. Even the romance was just meh. I don't think many teens would finish the book.
kvensk's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
3.0
melanie_delacruz's review
5.0
"Brighter Than The Sun" by Daniel Aleman captured my heart from its very first sentence and held it in its warm embrace until the very last word. In this exquisite literary journey, I found myself introduced to the brilliant mind of Daniel for the first time, and I am now eagerly anticipating the opportunity to delve into more of his captivating works.
Within the pages of this book, emotions are masterfully woven, and the weight of Sol's experiences is delicately transferred onto the reader's soul. Sol's narrative resonated deeply with me; her struggles, hopes, and yearnings became my own, fostering a profound connection that transcended the pages. The skill with which her story was crafted left me spellbound, the prose an intricate dance of emotions that painted a vivid tapestry of her world.
The characters themselves leapt off the page, their authenticity and dynamics inviting me into their lives as if I were an intimate observer. I found myself immersed in their joys, sorrows, and triumphs, and the indelible mark they left upon my heart has etched them into my thoughts long after I turned the final page.
Sol, in particular, shines as a beacon of inspiration. Her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit have left an indelible impression on me, kindling a desire within to emulate her strength and grace. As I reflect upon her journey, I can't help but envision her continuing to blaze her own path, her tenacity propelling her to graduate high school and secure her coveted place at the university of her dreams.
Anticipation courses through my veins at the mere thought of what future literary treasures Daniel Aleman will grace us with. I stand poised and eager, prepared to seize the moment the new book graces the shelves, ready to embark on another enchanting voyage through his words. My fingers will dance eagerly across the keyboard as I place my order, eager to be enveloped once more in the magic that only Daniel's storytelling can conjure.
Within the pages of this book, emotions are masterfully woven, and the weight of Sol's experiences is delicately transferred onto the reader's soul. Sol's narrative resonated deeply with me; her struggles, hopes, and yearnings became my own, fostering a profound connection that transcended the pages. The skill with which her story was crafted left me spellbound, the prose an intricate dance of emotions that painted a vivid tapestry of her world.
The characters themselves leapt off the page, their authenticity and dynamics inviting me into their lives as if I were an intimate observer. I found myself immersed in their joys, sorrows, and triumphs, and the indelible mark they left upon my heart has etched them into my thoughts long after I turned the final page.
Sol, in particular, shines as a beacon of inspiration. Her resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit have left an indelible impression on me, kindling a desire within to emulate her strength and grace. As I reflect upon her journey, I can't help but envision her continuing to blaze her own path, her tenacity propelling her to graduate high school and secure her coveted place at the university of her dreams.
Anticipation courses through my veins at the mere thought of what future literary treasures Daniel Aleman will grace us with. I stand poised and eager, prepared to seize the moment the new book graces the shelves, ready to embark on another enchanting voyage through his words. My fingers will dance eagerly across the keyboard as I place my order, eager to be enveloped once more in the magic that only Daniel's storytelling can conjure.