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ruby_kitsune'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Deadnaming and Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Xenophobia
emiliehomme's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Murder
recycled_personalities'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
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
bluberrybooks'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
4.0
It was also very funny! Listening to the audiobook, I laughed out loud a number of times.
There was two things I didn't like. First ones a spoiler. I hope I did the wrap text correctly <The uncle being evil was very blindsided and unnecessary imo there was no hints of build up. It was just so out of no where. I think it could have been someone else or have some hints leading up to it, so that we have an idea, but it's still a surprise. There could have been better/ alternative ways to reveal/show the mystery imo> Another thing I didn't like that much was that there was a lot of telling how Yadrial was feeling which I know could just be that he's aware and in tune of his emotions, but it could be more show not tell. It wasn't that huge of a deal just a critique I guess.
Back to things I enjoyed. The relationship between Julian and yadrial was very cute and natural. I liked the epilogue and the book overall. besides the part I disliked, it was a great book and I would love a sequel.
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Xenophobia and Grief
dusksolace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse and Xenophobia
criticalgayze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I most appreciated the way that Aiden Thomas gets to live in so much of their truth and culture with their writing. There is such a clear awareness here of what it is like to inhabit a transgender body and to navigate a Latinx community, and I found there to be an incredible care and attention to detail here that you cannot get when people are not allowed to be the ones to tell their own stories. Thomas also does a lot to incorporate so many perspectives through pan-Latinx inclusion and a wonderful feminist lens. Yadriel and Julian were very cute together, their families (found and otherwise) were wonderfully crafted and loved in the writing, and the whirlwind amateur sleuth storyline was really enjoyable.
I do think the sleuthing does not get quite enough time, and the reader is kinda rushed along at the end to wrap things up. The emotional climax suffered as a result, and I don't think the reader got to live in that final tension as effectively as it could have been handled. I also don't know if approaching this through a lens of literary evaluation for class study made me notice the twist about halfway through the book or if it wasn't supposed to be difficult to spot.
Quotes:
They wouldn't even let him try. It was easier to hide behind their traditions than to challenge their own beliefs and understanding of how things in the world of the brujx worked. (Page 24)
Yadriel knew better than to decline an offer of food from a Latinx mom more than once. Carefully, he took a bite, shifting it to his cheek to avoid the cut. (Page 117)
Yadriel didn't think that was possible. He didn't see how anyone could get a clean break from Julien once they entered his orbit. (Page 157)
"Growth isn't a deviation from what we've done before, but a natural progression to honor all those who make this community strong." (Page 339)
Graphic: Transphobia and Blood
Moderate: Confinement, Deadnaming, Racism, Xenophobia, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia
jfield351's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Cursing, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, and Alcohol
laesterlurch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Minor: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
bluee_b's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death and Blood
Minor: Deadnaming and Xenophobia
cemeterygay'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
As a main character, Yadriel resonated with me in a way that few main characters do. Not only is this one of the few books I've read that has a Latine trans main character but it deals with that aspect of his identity so well. I love how well-integrated the cultural elements are in this book and how it is allowed to be explored in relationship with Yadriel's gender identity and sexuality. Julian is also an amazing character, I only wish we had a bit more time to see his relationship with his family. The relationship Julian and Yadriel had was incredibly sweet.
While not revolutionary or that shocking I really enjoyed Yadriel's journey discovering what happened to Julian and how it related the death of Miguel. I found the ending to be pretty satisfying although some aspects weren't the most believable.
The magic system was explained quite well and Dia de Los Muertos was integrated incredibly well into the worldbuilding. I do think though that if you are not familiar with any of the cultural elements, there will be a learning curve for you which absolutely isn't a flaw but is something to note.
I also really loved the full cast of characters in this book and I thought Aiden Thomas did a pretty great job in helping to differentiate the characters.
Of course, I would be remiss not to mention how much I adore Thomas's writing style and prose. It is incredibly engaging while still being suitable for their target audience.
I will say that this book does trend to the younger side of YA so it may be hit or miss for adult readers.
Beyond that, I would absolutely recommend this book to others.
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia and Dysphoria
Minor: Deadnaming