Reviews

This book had so much going for it, but while it had many beautiful moments and I mostly enjoyed the writing style, plot, and diversity, it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. However, I can see why so many people loved it.

As many of you know, I've never been a huge fan of many POVs or when there are multiple POV switches within a single chapter. This book did have this happen quite a lot and, while it made sense, sometimes felt a little excessive to me.

Honestly, the book completely held my interest up until it switched to the POV of the aliens. I loved the violin aspect (I'm a fellow instrument player) and the soul-selling (the soul has always captured my interest) and the demons (fun creatures!), so when it switched, it slowed what felt was a strong story and broke my focus. I felt like I had stopped one novel and started a totally different one because there wasn't anything to connect the two parts in the beginning. The combination of demons and aliens just didn't work for me in the way I thought it would.

A major plus of the novel though besides what I already listed?? Food. The donuts described are ones that I wish I could pull from the book and have in real life.

quovi's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

nathanedw's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

timinbc's review against another edition

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4.0

This book transcends its problems, just as Katrina does.

First off, who sits down to write a book about an abused self-taught transgender violinist, a soul-selling teacher, and aliens who make donuts? Answer: no one until now!

Second, who makes the plot arc so OBvious and has it come out satisfying anyway? Answer: most authors of mystery novels.

I liked the geeky details of violins, and how they can be semi-alive and sometimes cursed. I liked the sort of realistic-Coneheads aliens constantly rigging up something new like Bugs Bunny.

I wondered how no one seems to think it's odd that six consecutive Shizuka students have died.
I wondered how Shizuka is able to kill people? Is she perhaps halfway to demon herself?

We knew they'd escape Tremon, and it wasn't long before we could see how, but it was still fun to see how it developed, against the background of terrified Katrina failing to overcome her fears and instead blowing right past them into Her Moment.

Overall, the book felt meticulously constructed. I enjoyed it.

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