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_meganrose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia
goofymango'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? It's complicated
5.0
Oh, gosh. This is one of those books where it's so difficult to write a review, because it doesn't feel like there's enough words to convey just how deeply moving and impactful it was. You know a book is going to make you feel when you're already tearing up at the opening author's note.
I won't dance around it - the overwhelming feel of this book is one of tragedy, of heartbreak and trauma. But there are those glimpses of authentic joy, peace, and the wonders of human connection hidden throughout the book, something that adds to the incredible realness of it all. It's that realness that makes this story so gut-wrenching, because it isn't far removed. You can so very, very easily picture this happening in our reality, our timeline. It makes it difficult to get through at times - upsetting as it is in it's plausibility - but all the more important to really take it in, too. I wept, I had goose-bumps, I felt glimmers of hope. I felt every word of this book in my bones, and - provided you are in the right headspace - recommend anyone to read/listen to it.
The audiobook was read by the author, and gosh, what a performance. Engaging, captivating, raw and filled with emotion, the narration was some of the best I've ever had the joy to listen to.
I won't dance around it - the overwhelming feel of this book is one of tragedy, of heartbreak and trauma. But there are those glimpses of authentic joy, peace, and the wonders of human connection hidden throughout the book, something that adds to the incredible realness of it all. It's that realness that makes this story so gut-wrenching, because it isn't far removed. You can so very, very easily picture this happening in our reality, our timeline. It makes it difficult to get through at times - upsetting as it is in it's plausibility - but all the more important to really take it in, too. I wept, I had goose-bumps, I felt glimmers of hope. I felt every word of this book in my bones, and - provided you are in the right headspace - recommend anyone to read/listen to it.
The audiobook was read by the author, and gosh, what a performance. Engaging, captivating, raw and filled with emotion, the narration was some of the best I've ever had the joy to listen to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and Death
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, and Genocide
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
megansoetaert's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
this book hurt my heart :( it was heartbreaking but had so many moments of beauty and joy, and both made me cry. it’s too easy to envision our world becoming this one, so read easy and take care of yourself, especially if you’re Black, Indigenous, a person of color, or queer. this book feels very important, and i think if you have the capacity, you should all read it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Police brutality, Genocide, Murder, Xenophobia, Classism, Colonisation, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Death, Hate crime, and Homophobia
Moderate: Child abuse and Ableism
concretefem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, wow, wow. Crosshairs is really a stunner.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, Murder, and Torture
melm_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Dystopian novel set in the future and the government have created a purge like regime called ‘The Boots’ where they round up those who are disabled, LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities and send them into concentration camps.
This was a very somehow read, I don’t have any words.
This was a very somehow read, I don’t have any words.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racism, Islamophobia, Transphobia, and Homophobia
bad_bookworm_h's review against another edition
Dnf'd at page 92... the CSA and the forced homophobic exorcism was too much for me right now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Hate crime, Genocide, Child abuse, Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Cultural appropriation, Colonisation, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Racism, and Racial slurs
charliethebooklover's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
No spoilers!
BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, PERFECTION!!
This book quite literally saved my life. My friend gave me this book for the holidays back in January, but I wasn't sure about it. I grew tired of dystopian novels a few years ago.
Pfft, not anymore. Yeah, maybe books like Divergent, or The Hunger Games (thought that book is great) are maybe a bit over-talked about, give me more books like this, and that genre will soon be my favorite!
I wish that this book was read in schools everywhere; it's educational AND enjoyable.
Let's talk about the characters. They were fleshed out, each with their own backstory. I usually hate flashbacks, but I didn't mind them in this book. They were complicated, messy, cutthroat, and so utterly human, it's impossible not to route for them. And they're not afraid to call people out, which I relate to on the highest of levels. Kay is such a lovable character, as are the rest. It makes you hate the antagonist with such a passion, and love the protags with the same fury.
The plot was a but messy, but in a purposeful way. This book reflects the discrimination in our lives, and amplifies it to a terrifying amount, that could very possibly happen. I think that plot is all over the place to reflect life in general: life isn't simple with a clean plot you expect. It's messy and brutal and a long ride that seemed so short when it ends.
The writing style was complicated for me. I didn't love it, hate it, but It also wasn't eh. I don't know how I feel about it, but It was very flowy.
And the ending. The ending saved my life.
There are many trigger warnings, so look out for that. But otherwise, read this book, for your own sake. It will change your life like it did mine.
BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING, PERFECTION!!
This book quite literally saved my life. My friend gave me this book for the holidays back in January, but I wasn't sure about it. I grew tired of dystopian novels a few years ago.
Pfft, not anymore. Yeah, maybe books like Divergent, or The Hunger Games (thought that book is great) are maybe a bit over-talked about, give me more books like this, and that genre will soon be my favorite!
I wish that this book was read in schools everywhere; it's educational AND enjoyable.
Let's talk about the characters. They were fleshed out, each with their own backstory. I usually hate flashbacks, but I didn't mind them in this book. They were complicated, messy, cutthroat, and so utterly human, it's impossible not to route for them. And they're not afraid to call people out, which I relate to on the highest of levels. Kay is such a lovable character, as are the rest. It makes you hate the antagonist with such a passion, and love the protags with the same fury.
The plot was a but messy, but in a purposeful way. This book reflects the discrimination in our lives, and amplifies it to a terrifying amount, that could very possibly happen. I think that plot is all over the place to reflect life in general: life isn't simple with a clean plot you expect. It's messy and brutal and a long ride that seemed so short when it ends.
The writing style was complicated for me. I didn't love it, hate it, but It also wasn't eh. I don't know how I feel about it, but It was very flowy.
And the ending. The ending saved my life.
There are many trigger warnings, so look out for that. But otherwise, read this book, for your own sake. It will change your life like it did mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Biphobia, Cursing, Racism, Violence, Child death, Cultural appropriation, Racial slurs, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, Body shaming, War, and Xenophobia
kp_writ's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Such a necessary read, especially for white queers (lots of discussion around performative allyship here, and how to be better). The way this novel interweaves so many unique stories through fairly seamless narration is superb. This is a dark story, for sure, but it captured me in a way that I read it all in one sitting. Lots of political commentary here, and I'll be interested to reread this a few years from now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Xenophobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Transphobia, Slavery, Racism, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, Genocide, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Hate crime, Police brutality, Murder, Medical trauma, Homophobia, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Ableism, Suicide, Pregnancy, War, Rape, Excrement, Colonisation, Animal death, and Panic attacks/disorders
jberg216's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
“When I do not act I am complicit.
When I know wrong is happening I act.
When the oppressed tell me I am wrong I open my heart and change.
When change is led by the oppressed, I move aside and uplift.”
This book was powerful. It was real and raw and an important warning of what could happen if we do not pay attention and be an ally every day. As the book says, ally is a verb and not a noun. As a cis white woman, I know I could be doing better at being an ally.
There’s a part in the book where Kay is remembering before the renovation and he remembered sharing a post about disabled access on the subway and they felt good for doing that performative action and never thought about it again until he himself was in trouble. He wished that his allies would help him in a real and tangible way. This hit me hard as I know that I too have done a performative action and felt good about it without actually helping anyone.
This book really made me think about my actions and I will be thinking for a long time.
When I know wrong is happening I act.
When the oppressed tell me I am wrong I open my heart and change.
When change is led by the oppressed, I move aside and uplift.”
This book was powerful. It was real and raw and an important warning of what could happen if we do not pay attention and be an ally every day. As the book says, ally is a verb and not a noun. As a cis white woman, I know I could be doing better at being an ally.
There’s a part in the book where Kay is remembering before the renovation and he remembered sharing a post about disabled access on the subway and they felt good for doing that performative action and never thought about it again until he himself was in trouble. He wished that his allies would help him in a real and tangible way. This hit me hard as I know that I too have done a performative action and felt good about it without actually helping anyone.
This book really made me think about my actions and I will be thinking for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide and Murder
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Rape
readingwithkt's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? It's complicated
4.0
CROSSHAIRS by Catherine Hernandez is a brutal dystopian novel, unflinching in its account of a fascist regime that sweeps Canada in the aftermath of a climate crisis. The Boots are tasked with rounding up The Others, a term used to refer to anybody who is BAME/BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+. The Renovation movement involves all Others being taken to forced labour camps and brutalised, often murdered. This book is violent, graphic and extremely unsettling.
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 Hernandez’s 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.
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 Hernandez’s 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.
Content Warnings
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