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avidales's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Deeply disappointed and disturbed by this book.
I was excited for this book and it's reported Trans/Gender nonconforming representation, however the the GRAPHIC assault of a child and the fact that this story is not about a transgender character made it unreadable to me.
The character Arima/Maria is AMAB (assigned male at birth) and forced to dress and live as a girl by his mother. He clearly from a young age did not want to dress or present as a girl and is obviously distressed by not living as a boy (his assigned gender). This is disturbing child abuse, not a trans or queer story. This "plot device" is utilized in many stories that confuse and misinform the audience about trans/gender nonconforming/nonbinary people, their lives, and why they are who they are.
This is famously the same premise as the 1983 slasher horror "Sleep Away Camp" which has a AMAB child forced to live as a girl by his aunt which drives the child "mad" and goes on a killing spree. These type of narratives reinforce the myth that LGBTQ+ people are queer due to child abuse/assault. This is harmful as it implies that LGBTQ+ folks are broken/disturbed and takes away from their actual gender exploration and identity.
Very unfortunate especially because I enjoyed roughly the first 3rd of the book as the characters are likeable and Taiga's (the love interest of Arima) attempts to understand and show affection regardless of Arima's gender sweet despite his fumbling and naivete.
Graphic: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death of parent, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness
*Graphic* depiction of an elementary school child being sexually assaulted by their adult teacher. The teacher also brandishes a knife and threatens to mutilate the child's genitals. This story is not about a transgender character, the character Maria/Arima is AMAB (assigned male at birth) and forced to dress and live as a girl by his mother. He clearly from a young age did not want to dress or present as a girl and is obviously distressed by not living as a boy (his assigned gender).mathildedhs's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death of parent, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Dysphoria, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Child abuse
orion_moonz's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse
curiiously's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
romance was ok, pace was too fast i didn't find it particularly believable. i did spend the last half wondering if it was implying that gender nonconformity is the result of sexual assault.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Blood, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Violence, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Transphobia
grayreadsmanga's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Homophobia and Rape
jolyne's review against another edition
3.25
Graphic: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Rape, Transphobia, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Grief, Bullying, Deadnaming, Sexual content, Blood, and Toxic friendship
samvmtz22's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, and Transphobia