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ehmannky's review
- 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
There is a lot of reference to the realities of being QTPOC in a world that values whiteness and cisheteronormativity. Katrina has to deal with a lot of transphobia and all the main characters deal with racism and xenophobia. But it's still such a book of hope and love and aspiring to be better and create a better world for those you love and creating a more hopeful world in general. Lovely all around.
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, Child abuse, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, and Racism
Minor: War, Violence, Self harm, Suicide, and Death
beforeviolets's review
- 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
non-consensual sexual content (two instances: onscreen, not graphic, easily skippable [p. 49-50]; incestuous, offscreen, easily skippable [p. 181]), sexual harassment/assault (onscreen, brief, [p.333]), consensual sexual content (onscreen, brief), sex work, fetishization of Asian women and trans women, violence, domestic abuse (parental, physical and emotional /spousal, mention), injury from abuse, child abuse, trauma, transphobia (internalized, external, t-slur, misgendering, deadnaming), severe dysphoria, homophobia/lesbophobia (f-slur, d-slur), racism (specifically towards East Asian individuals, g-slur, c-slur [indirectly used]), self harm (offscreen, graphic mention [p. 177-179]), blood, abusive living environment, religious bigotry, use of the r-slur, sexism, death (mention), war, gaslighting (external and internal), outing, cancer (mention), fire (brief), anxiety, vomit (mention)
This book was GOING to be a 4.5 until I read the spent the 50 pages in absolute tears.
Light From Uncommon Stars is a gorgeous tale about learning to believe in your own worth in the face of a world that tells you that you’re worthless. It’s about the importance of a life, no matter how “damaged.” It’s about fame, motherhood, and the necessity of having a voice.
Aoki showcases resiliency through her protagonists, all reminiscent of phoenixes rising from the ashes and being reborn into a new life, into a new home, or even into a new family. She sends a beautiful message to readers that no matter how hard your past or how lost or isolated one might feel, there is always hope in a friendly smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. All of the characters have a history of so much pain and fear and despite all of that, they are able to save themselves, often with the help of others, and stand up for their own happiness or the happiness of their loved ones.
But I think my favorite part of this book is how it constantly and beautifully illustrates the the transportive and the transformative magic of something loved, whether it be a piece of music, a video game, or even a donut. The way something, when made with care and passion, can feel like home. Though the story itself is ouchie, the message and the overall tone is one of comfort, like someone is sitting you down with a nice cup of tea and giving you a warm hug, one you didn’t even know you needed.
Gorgeous melodic writing, powerful and brilliant characters, the incredible ability to seamlessly switch POVs mid chapter or even mid paragraph, this story is one to be cherished and celebrated.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Transphobia, Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Self harm, Deadnaming, Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Incest, Sexual content, Sexism, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Death, War, Gaslighting, Outing, and Blood
Minor: Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit
emmyrandomreport'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
4.5
Moderate: Transphobia, Death, and Mental illness
readandfindout's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Themes: 4.5 stars
Characters: 4 stars
Plot: 3.5 stars
Worldbuilding: 3.5 stars
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Outing, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Bullying, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Death, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Self harm, Alcoholism, and War
samusc's review
- 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
Light From Uncommon Stars is an emotional, unique, character driven SFF with found family and strong themes of survival, motherhood, and sacrifice. Over the course of several months, the reader wonders if Shizuka will surrender Katrina’s soul, and if Shizuka and Lan will grow to love one another.
I knew I’d love this from the moment I saw that one of the main characters is known as The Queen of Hell. The food descriptions will make you hungry! I love how Katrina’s character trajectory is handled, especially her eventual sisterhood with Shirley. These characters felt so real. The neighborhood felt like it’s own character, due to the care given to explaining how the neighborhood has changed over the years, with restaurants, businesses, and trends. I found the conclusion to be immensely satisfying.
The e-reader format complimented the pacing, in that the pauses in chapters or shifts in scenes were easy to follow, and kept things moving quickly.
Ryka Aoki is definitely a writer to follow.
Graphic: Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death
foreverinastory'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
Rep: Asian-American queer trans female MC, Japanese sapphic female MC, sapphic intersteller refugee MC, nonbinary side character, queer side characters.
CWs: Child abuse, transphobia/transmisia, racism, sexual content, death. Moderate: rape, sexual assault, deadnaming/misgendering, domestic/emotional abuse, homophobia/homomisia. Minor: alcoholism, self harm, mention of side character committing suicide.
Graphic: Child abuse, Transphobia, Racism, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Alcoholism, Self harm, and Suicide
troisha's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Hate crime, Incest, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and War
booksmellers's review
- 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: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Dysphoria, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Violence, and Death
8bitlapras's review
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Hate crime, Transphobia, Child abuse, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Death, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, War, Xenophobia, and Self harm