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kibbles15's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a well written book. The author does an excellent job of presenting the main characters emotions. It is a hard read because it covers a lot of hard emotional topics. I would have liked less language and sexual references. While both are mild, it is not something I enjoy in reading; thus I give the book three stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual content, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
The main character has a Religious parent who does not treat them well either physically or mentally. It also covers the main characters struggle with faith, self-esteem, and sexual maturity.grclnntt's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Amazing please read this book if you’re thinking about it absolutely read it it’s fast written as poems so goes by very quickly highly enjoyed this and made me thankful to have been able to have read it
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Religious bigotry
Minor: Sexual harassment
micaelacccc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
This hit so hard for me, it was so beautiful, such an important book that everyone should read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body shaming, and Bullying
Minor: Pedophilia
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia, Body shaming, and Sexual harassment
allyordyna's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
3.75
This is one of those books that you can just tell comes from deep within the author’s heart and mind. A character study where X could be real as you or me, and her journey of personal and artistic growth is a journey you get to take with her. When she was despairing, so was I; when she was rejoicing, I too felt elation.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Racial slurs and Sexual harassment
elle_e_d_light's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I read it in one sitting (instead of going to bed) and then picked up a physical copy of my own the same day.
It actually made me teary in parts. It's a very powerful book. It's incredibly tense in its portrayal of dysfunctional familial relationships and its coverage of topics like religious abuse and stress, and it's incredibly on point on portraying the complicated feelings of teen girls created from disgust of being sexualized (due to early development of curves) and the wanting to be physically wanted by someone—essentially the desire to feel control over one's own body, as well as control over how others gaze at one's body.
It was just a really beautiful book.
It actually made me teary in parts. It's a very powerful book. It's incredibly tense in its portrayal of dysfunctional familial relationships and its coverage of topics like religious abuse and stress, and it's incredibly on point on portraying the complicated feelings of teen girls created from disgust of being sexualized (due to early development of curves) and the wanting to be physically wanted by someone—essentially the desire to feel control over one's own body, as well as control over how others gaze at one's body.
It was just a really beautiful book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Child abuse
There's a lot of toxic family dynamics due to religion becoming a cause of control and punishment.eisi28's review against another edition
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Religious bigotry
patsshelf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
beldaran1224's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-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
4.75
I highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator (also the author) does an exceptional job at giving voice to Xiomara. It a coming-of-age story that will move you over and over, and for adults, will remind us of what it means to be a teen just figuring things out. It isn't an easy story - Xiomara goes through a lot.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars is the ending isa bit too neatly wrapped up, with abusers doing about-faces and all wounds healing.
Content warnings:vivid portrayals of parental abuse; frequent portrayals of sexual harassment of minors (catcalls, groping, etc.); religious trauma with Catholicism as the religion depicted; heavy depictions of misogyny, particularly related to sex, bodies and menstruation. All of these are interrogated & narratively condemned.
The only reason this isn't 5 stars is the ending is
Content warnings:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Outing
modernmatilda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
If you're going to read this book, PLEASE do yourself a favor and listen to the author read via audiobook while reading a physical copy. Her performance and delivery should be heard and her word choices should be treasured.
I felt seen and I saw others because of this book. Would DEFINITELY recommend to everyone, especially high schoolers.
I felt seen and I saw others because of this book. Would DEFINITELY recommend to everyone, especially high schoolers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Sexism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Drug use