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fiekesfiction's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.5
I really love the concept of having people connected and able to read each others thoughts/ emotions and how well thought out that part of the worldbuilding was and how it is all tied into the history of their world.
I also love the casual demi/ ace and plus size representation. Although Felix was slightly annoying at times, his character made sense and I really liked their relationship.
Overall this was just a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it!
I did especially like the space/ scifi parts and felt like the pacing and overall tone was a bit too slow once they were on earth. Because at times it felt more like a contemporary drama as they were going to school. Which is fine, but can also become a tiny bit boring and predictable compared with the magical alien things that were going on before.
And although I completely agree with most of the criticism this book gives on humanity, I felt like it was very un-subtle. Sure, it makes sense for the aliens to be weirded out by those big horrible things, but I would have found it more interesting to show their reactions to more subtle things that are normalized and kind of give a new view on them. Whereas in this case it felt like they were just pointing out the obvious, preaching to the choir. (Or maybe I feel like having guns be legal is insane because I am not American and this is different and more radical for USA readers.)
I do really think these are important issues and since it is a YA book it is understandable for them to be brought up this way. And very good for these themes and problems to be discussed.
I also love the casual demi/ ace and plus size representation. Although Felix was slightly annoying at times, his character made sense and I really liked their relationship.
Overall this was just a very enjoyable read and I would recommend it!
I did especially like the space/ scifi parts and felt like the pacing and overall tone was a bit too slow once they were on earth. Because at times it felt more like a contemporary drama as they were going to school. Which is fine, but can also become a tiny bit boring and predictable compared with the magical alien things that were going on before.
And although I completely agree with most of the criticism this book gives on humanity, I felt like it was very un-subtle. Sure, it makes sense for the aliens to be weirded out by those big horrible things, but I would have found it more interesting to show their reactions to more subtle things that are normalized and kind of give a new view on them. Whereas in this case it felt like they were just pointing out the obvious, preaching to the choir. (Or maybe I feel like having guns be legal is insane because I am not American and this is different and more radical for USA readers.)
I do really think these are important issues and since it is a YA book it is understandable for them to be brought up this way. And very good for these themes and problems to be discussed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Mass/school shootings, Racism, and Gun violence
solspringsreads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Absolutely fantastic book, and a sure-to-be new favorite for plenty of readers. I was just shocked at how abrupt the ending felt! We got so much buildup for a big fight that ends up only being referenced, and I definitely wanted a little more closure. I had thought that this was a standalone, but maybe there will be a sequel? I was surprised that a major component of this book was actually set in Florida, but I loved the discussions of American culture and humanity. I also loved that, despite the protagonists both being aliens, they were able to relate to the humans and identify with different groups of people of color. The book was told through dual POVs, and I felt like both Felix and Joy were really well developed as individual narrators while still forming a very cohesive narrative together. Overall, this was a really fun, cute read that I recommend to anyone who loves soulmate AUs and alien royalty.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, Police brutality, and Racism
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