Reviews with content warning for Death - Too Bright to See

Most people tend to have a moment, a person, an experience…something that helped them on their journey of discovering their identity as a queer/trans* person. Sometimes it’s lots of individual pieces that eventually come together and reveal something to you that you hadn’t seen before. Sometimes it’s more of a light bulb moment when everything just suddenly makes sense in a way it hadn’t before. In Bug’s case, that help came in the most unexpected of ways - through the paranormal.

Bug’s house had always been haunted. But suddenly, following the death of Bug’s beloved uncle, new things begin happening. And they all seem focused on Bug. And while Bug’s best friend Moira is focused on preparing for middle school, make-up, shopping, boys, and other things that Bug has no interest in…Bug is focused on figuring out what message Uncle Roderick is trying to send. I don’t want to say a lot about the story details because it’s hard not to do it without spoilers. I want other readers to be able to experience the journey alongside Bug, so I’ll keep my review to general thoughts and my reaction/feelings.

There are two main themes woven through this story - grief and identity. The loss of Roderick hit hard on their family. Especially Bug’s mom, but also on Bug. Throughout the story you get little snippets of the past and you learn more about Roderick and Bug’s relationship. And as Bug begins to put together all the pieces of the past with all the coded messages from Roderick’s ghost, new questions arise that send Bug on two distinct yet connected journeys: to find out what Roderick is trying to tell them and to figure out who the real Bug is. It’s a story about friendship, growing up, and finding yourself with a fun cozy mystery/paranormal twist that ultimately leads to a beautiful story about trans* joy. And it’s a reminder that even when you grow up in a supportive and progressive family, it can still be hard to find the answers you need and share your truth. Because being vulnerable like that is always a little scary, even when there aren’t ghosts involved.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Trans MC, Gay uncle (SC)

📝Genre/Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Paranormal, Coming of Age, Coming Out, Small Town Vermont, Single Parent, Friendship

Content Warnings

cheazcakeguy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? No

4.5

I only read this book because of the StoryGraph Genre Challenge prompt "read a middle grade book with queer representation." I was dreading this one the most, because I assumed a middle grade book would be "beneath" me and I would get bored reading it. I only picked it because a quick Google search said it fit the criteria, and the audiobook was available from my library on Libby. The audiobook narration is fine, not overly performative or anything, and felt "invisible" in that it didn't get in the way of the story which I really liked. It really felt like the character was narrating, that it was truly Bug's inner monologue, not too flashy or self-indulgent.

The book itself is beautifully written. While I was a bit bored in the first half (it felt a bit cliché at first), I absolutely loved the second half of the book. Going in, I had no idea what this book was about, and I think that's the best way to approach this story. It's a sad story with a happy ending and a lot of emotional moments (it literally made me cry), and it's short too. While I'm definitely not the target audience, I was pleasantly surprised, and strongly recommend reading it if you're interested! I think if you don't know what the book is about, it will have a greater emotional impact on you, so I suggest not reading anything about it and just dive in. Go along with Bug on this journey of grief and self-discovery!

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scmiller's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

3.75

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moonyreadsbystarlight's review against another edition

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emotional reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes

5.0

This focuses on Bug, a kid whose Uncle dies at the beginning of the summer before middle school. While there is a lot about grief and friendship, there is also a lot about self-discovery. The descriptions of gender dysphoria and social discomfort hit so close to home for me.

I did feel like some of the mystery part felt more obvious to me, but perhaps it would be different for its intended audience

(but to be fair, I'm thinking about the bit after they get the Oji board message. And while it's onvious from the outside what the message was, him being clueless is 100% realistic. I, too, have overlooked clues about my gender that are painfully obvious) While the end where everything goes super smoothly coming out at home and school isn't realistic per se, it is really wonderful and so vital to see stories without queer trauma

Really the only big issue I had was the lack of care with the Oija board. Always say goodbye and don't do it alone, kids!

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mattypallett's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

4.5

A gorgeous and incredibly important read. I’m so glad books like this exist for young readers (and readers of all ages tbh). Discovering yourself is a beautiful thing and should be celebrated, at any age.

Content Warnings

freshcoastpinoy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious 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

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americattt's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring mysterious reflective 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? No

4.5

“Being around Griffin, just for a few minutes, felt like practicing how to be a better version of myself. It needs work, but maybe if I practice often enough it will start to feel natural. Maybe it will stop being something I have to practice, and something I’ll just be. Maybe that’s what growing up is like. Practice makes a person.”

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haileyhardcover's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Too Bright to See is a surprisingly touching middle grade (light) horror novel about Bug, whose beloved uncle Roderick has just passed away, the summer before middle school. Bug lives in an old house in the country and has always known that the house is haunted, but now it seems that there’s a new ghost in the house - Uncle Roderick is back, and he has a very important message to share with Bug.

I am genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this queer little ghost story. I don’t often root for happy endings in horror, but getting to read the absolute best case scenario happen for sweet Bug was so heartwarming. If you are looking for a very quick and easy read, I highly recommend this book!

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