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queersicles's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
That all being said, I felt frustrated by the ending.
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Murder, Outing, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Classism
s0ph1e_a'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? It's complicated
5.0
This book works SO well. The characters are likeable and develop in beautiful ways, they have flaws and are rounded people. They experience difficulties - transphobia, domestic abuse and sexual assault are exploded openly in this book, not in a way I’d consider trauma porn but they are actively touched on multiple times. Aoki does a wonderful job introducing a wonderful cast of character, you root for them all and want them to be happy and well.
I’d definitely recommend this book to others, tho I would mention how openly it discusses heavier topics like transphobia and domestic abuse.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual assault
ruthlessreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I wanted to like this book much more than I actually did. There were parts that I really enjoyed (the relationship between Lan & Shizuka, watching Katrina grow more confident, etc.) but overall I felt that the author was trying to weave too many disparate stories together. At least 2 storylines I do not feel needed to be included at all and there's at least one POV that I think could have been much more limited. It felt like some of these storylines petered out, without impacting the story in any real way. This could have been two books that tie into the same universe, rather than one book trying to smash as much into it as possible.
That said, I really enjoyed the relationships between all the characters and, as a trans & queer reader, there were so many parts that were emotionally impactful in ways that I especially appreciated. This book could be enjoyed by anyone though, especially given the right information before starting. If I'd had different expectations going in, I may have enjoyed it more!
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Transphobia, Violence, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Child death, Death, Drug use, Racism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
lex_y'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: Child abuse and Transphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse
solspringsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was a long rambling review to still say that I enjoyed the book very much. It touches on a lot of great themes, and the audiobook was fantastic. I just want to urge readers (especially other trans readers) to check out the warning tags for this one and to prepare themselves for some intense and heavier moments in an otherwise lighthearted and whimsical book.
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and War
bookbuyingwithkatie'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: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Transphobia
sarahbuckley'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
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Transphobia
shlymiller's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse
ka_ke's review
I also think this book would benefit from a content warning in the beginning regarding the fmc’s body dysmorphia, suicidal thoughts, sex work etc.
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Xenophobia, Outing, and War
lili_geek'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
4.5
My main complaint about the book is the ending was kind of obvious and didn’t follow the realistic narrative of natural experiences that had been presented throughout the book.
Graphic: Racism, Transphobia, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, and Rape