Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

69 reviews

madradstarchild's review

adventurous emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Transphobia

Moderate: Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racism, and Rape

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and War

kennyrae89's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

How this book started out was a little confusing. It took me a while to figure out what was going on. It is also formatted strangely with how it jumps around between characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

fallandfox's review

emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Dysphoria

val_so_'s review

emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Deadnaming, Hate crime, Sexual content, Murder, and Toxic friendship

ekcd_'s review

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.0

I enjoyed readings it and it was a very fast, easy read. However, I would not buy it and would not re-read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual violence

Minor: Deadnaming

sarahandmatilda's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

5.0

This book blew me away. It might be the one book I’ve read that most perfectly captures what it means to play, love and live music! There is a sophisticated level of detail about learning, playing, and even making violins, but the language is so beautiful that it doesn’t feel technical. 

Student violinist Katrina is a complex and incredibly lovable character. Her trauma from family abuse and transphobia is central to her experience in the book, but her musical gifts also go far beyond “talent.” Furthermore, the hard work she has to put in is extremely real and well illustrated… it is a common misconception that prodigies just rely on their natural talent!

I had thought that Shizuka’s storyline as “The Queen of Hell” would be disturbing and dark. It is a bit dark, but ultimately this is her redemption story… and even in the beginning, she is a likable character who sees the potential in Katrina and never doubts that Katrina should continue to be herself.

You might think that bringing starship captain aliens making donuts into this story doesn’t fit… but you would be wrong! There is humor in it, but it all just works together and ends up being profound. Star Trek fans will find some familiar and wonderful themes (such as the journey of a holographic being towards humanity). For those who appreciate food, the book also offers a great deal.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

amandabcook's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, and Dysphoria

thehappylittleelf's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

This book was an utter delight. Fun, inspiring, creative with a cast of characters I adored. If you love the feel of a cheesy 50s sci-fi movie with an optimistic worldview, you’ll love this.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Deadnaming, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Outing

Minor: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Toxic friendship

callmekt's review

emotional inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

Moderate: Child abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Deadnaming and Rape