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readingpicnic's review
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
What an incredible book! I was so nervous to read this for a while since it's sci-fi, but that's honestly not the genre of most of the story, so it wasn't hard to understand at all. The writing was incredible, the story had a very satisfying conclusion, and I loved the use of many different perspectives throughout the story, even if we didn't get to stick with some of them too often. I do wish that I had gotten to read more of Tamiko's perspective since she was very interesting and was set up as if she was going to play a major part in the plot, but that kind of fizzled out until the very end of the book when she was briefly mentioned by another character. I would have liked to stick with her perspective a little more because her obsession with Shizuka and creepy way of thinking about her was really attention-grabbing. I also wish I had gotten more of Markus' story, as I found myself questioning why he was in the story at all if he was going to be put in a stasis and never return as a character. I wish I understood his actions and motivations a bit more before he vanished from the book. I understand that he gave more context on the Empire and the EndPlague, but his character seemed to be very expendable to the story other than that. I really liked the trans rep in this story with Katrina, and I especially liked how she discussed transition with Shirley in her decision to not alter her body, as well as how she came to love her visibly trans body as the story went on. It didn't emphasize medical transition as necessary to being a trans woman or being trans at all, and I liked how it challenged Shirley's way of thinking of transness, even if she was trying to be helpful. I loved Katrina so much though, and she was definitely my favorite character that I was always rooting for. Shizuka is a little questionable with her actions to me, so I'm still not sure how I feel about her...but she's a complex character for sure and meant to invoke that reaction from the reader, I suppose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Outing, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs
luisaroesch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Rape, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Death, Outing, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Racial slurs
peterparker's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
Pay special attention to others content warnings as this book does deal with heavy topics. They are mentioned sporadically throughout the book but are very present at the beginning.
I love science fiction and I love Supernatural so this is the perfect blend of the two. This story is pretty unique and I loved how many genres the author was trying to twist together. I've learned that I love sci-fi when it's at its most confusing. It's why I liked This is how you lose the time war. I still think you have to truly be into sci-fi to open up to this concept though.
I know this can be off-putting for some people but the ones who get it, get it. Maximalism is my aesthetic and this story understands that. It's also a really lovely queer story at it's heart. I'm not transgender myself but there are a few trips that the author falls into at the very end that I know are a bit iffy in the transgender community. [Deadnaming] Other than that I feel like the trauma lumped onto these characters is very intentional. It isn't without reason and as you progress through the story you realize why the characters (especially Katrina) were written this way.
I have many thoughts about this book that I could go on and on. Ultimately though it stuck the landing for me.Happy endings for all the main characters I cared about!
I love science fiction and I love Supernatural so this is the perfect blend of the two. This story is pretty unique and I loved how many genres the author was trying to twist together. I've learned that I love sci-fi when it's at its most confusing. It's why I liked This is how you lose the time war. I still think you have to truly be into sci-fi to open up to this concept though.
I know this can be off-putting for some people but the ones who get it, get it. Maximalism is my aesthetic and this story understands that. It's also a really lovely queer story at it's heart. I'm not transgender myself but there are a few trips that the author falls into at the very end that I know are a bit iffy in the transgender community. [Deadnaming] Other than that I feel like the trauma lumped onto these characters is very intentional. It isn't without reason and as you progress through the story you realize why the characters (especially Katrina) were written this way.
I have many thoughts about this book that I could go on and on. Ultimately though it stuck the landing for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism
madalynn_owens's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
this was a very different and interesting story filled with a wide array of unique characters. It was a little slow at times and I didn’t love the ending but transported me to a new world. And now I want a donut!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Racism, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, War, Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Body shaming
ccaz's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Rape
emmambles's review
emotional
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Physical abuse, Outing, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Domestic abuse, and Deadnaming
doodlesdistractions's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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
5.0
I am still processing but I am so in love with this book!!! I cannot put it into words that do it justice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Suicidal thoughts, War, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
thenextbookdilemma's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual assault
Minor: Homophobia and Deadnaming
agentmozell's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
- 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
I had to take a bit after finishing the book before I could rate this.
Before I get into the story I listened to it as an audiobook and I did not care for the narrator. They were very soft spoken and breathy and they made it hard to listen to. I also think this would be best as a physical read because the POVs jump around a lot and sometimes it would be like wait “I’m in Shizuka’s POV now? No wait, Lan?” With no warning either.
Now for the story.
This made me so emotional in a lot of ways. I felt myself in tune with the characters as we learned more and more about them. This I would certainly classify as a bittersweet, everyone got their happiest ending sort.
The struggles of being trans is real, while most like to say they’re supportive it’s not always that easy. The creepiness (from perverts) and double standards that come along with being trans was executed well I think. The struggles Katrina faced were so real that it could be uncomfortable for others to read about.
Shizuka I wasn’t sure at first, but as we learned more about her and her trauma I fell in love with her more and more and got so stressed and sad about her potential ending.
Lan’s was hard to like and relate to at first (I mean she’s an alien), but now I’m just rooting for her and her newfound mission.
This was a great blend of sci-fi and fantasy that made me want donuts. I hope there’s a sequel or side story to tie up some open ends.
Before I get into the story I listened to it as an audiobook and I did not care for the narrator. They were very soft spoken and breathy and they made it hard to listen to. I also think this would be best as a physical read because the POVs jump around a lot and sometimes it would be like wait “I’m in Shizuka’s POV now? No wait, Lan?” With no warning either.
Now for the story.
This made me so emotional in a lot of ways. I felt myself in tune with the characters as we learned more and more about them. This I would certainly classify as a bittersweet, everyone got their happiest ending sort.
The struggles of being trans is real, while most like to say they’re supportive it’s not always that easy. The creepiness (from perverts) and double standards that come along with being trans was executed well I think. The struggles Katrina faced were so real that it could be uncomfortable for others to read about.
Shizuka I wasn’t sure at first, but as we learned more about her and her trauma I fell in love with her more and more and got so stressed and sad about her potential ending.
Lan’s was hard to like and relate to at first (I mean she’s an alien), but now I’m just rooting for her and her newfound mission.
This was a great blend of sci-fi and fantasy that made me want donuts. I hope there’s a sequel or side story to tie up some open ends.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Domestic abuse, and Dysphoria
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Rape, and Sexual harassment
eliotadrift's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence