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concretefem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Even as an avid reader of speculative and dystopian fiction, I've never been so thoroughly haunted by a book -- been so fearful it represented not just a journey of the imagination, but foreboding prophesy. So in need to rest and repose as a reader, not just after the process of reading it, but during-- hence the fact that my reading journey spanned not one, but two years of picking up this novel, putting it down -- at times so long that the library lending period lapsed -- and so forth, time and again.
To say it is a challenging novel is an understatement. But I'm quite convinced it may be necessary reading--most off for QTPOC readers and BIPOC communities, as it maps out quite convincingly where the Trump/global antifascist extinction project may end if we're not careful.
So yeah. Readers be warned. But the rewards of perseverance will be sweet. Just be gentle with yourselves.
Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, Murder, and Torture
readingwithkt's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
In the way that all good dystopian stories are written, this book could easily be a possible future, a prediction of what could come if we are not careful to challenge and destroy the growing wave of fascism. I particularly appreciated Hernandezβs reflections on intersectionality throughout the narrative.
Though somewhat heavy handed in places, I thought that Crosshairs was a chilling and harrowing dystopian, and one that is certainly worth a read if you can handle the graphic violence and dehumanisation tactics depicted throughout. It took me several (3-4) months to read this novel due to the content.
May this book serve as a reminder of the dangers of fascism, and the need for all allys to speak up and take action in the face of it.
Thank you to Jacaranda for this review copy, received in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Confinement, Deadnaming, Death, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
miamon's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Confinement, Torture, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Violence
jbraith's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, and Transphobia
caseythereader's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
π Wowww, this was horrifying. The world of CROSSHAIRS is only a breath away from our own, and it's easy to see the path we'd take to reach it.
π Heavy emphasis on intersectionality and how differently oppression works for queer BIPOC and trans people than for white cis queer people who could pass as straight if they wanted to.
π The flashback scenes to Kay's drag days were so joyful and loving.
π Great discussions of how allyship is an action, not just a label, and how white people can use their privilege to both lift up BIPOC leaders and to put their bodies on the front lines.
β’
What I didn't like:
π A lot of the dialogue was stiff and unnatural, which took me out of the story a few times.
β’
Content warnings: Ableism, bullying, child abuse, child death, deadnaming, death, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, genocide, gun violence, hate crime, homophobia, Islamophobia, kidnapping, physical abuse, police brutality, racial slurs, racism, rape, religious bigotry, sexism, sexual violence, suicide, suicidal thoughts, torture, transphobia, violence, and xenophobia.
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, and Xenophobia