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katjoyphil's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Incest, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pedophilia
ravensandlace's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Find this review and others like it at https://aravenclawlibraryx.wordpress.com
I have started and restarted this review at least four different times. I really struggled to put into words what this book means to me. It’s up there with Turtles All the Way Down and Under Rose Tainted Skies. This book means a lot to me and I will try my best to put into words why this book is so important to me.
Let’s start with Kiko, the main character. I identified with her so much that it felt like I was reading about me. She has anxiety and social anxiety, just like me. She struggles to form healthy relationships with her peers and that’s partially due to her mother. The way her mother treats her is abusive and it broke my heart. Because of this Kiko latches on quickly to anyone who shows her slight kindness because she doesn’t know kindness at home.
While I know kindness at home, I struggle with anxiety and making lasting friendships. I tend to only really talk to people when they first talk to me. I find it hard to keep conversation going so I often only talk to people for a few minutes because I get exhausted and just stop replying. It’s not that I don’t want to talk to people, it’s just draining for me. I only have a few friends because of this.
Like I mentioned above, Kiko’s mother is abusive and because of this, it makes the book hard to read. I truly hated her mom and the way she treated Kiko. I didn’t like that the abuse was blamed on some sort of undiagnosed mental illness. People can be monsters and not have a mental illness. I wish it would have been just that. Regardless, take caution when reading this book as the scenes of emotional abuse are constant and heartbreaking.
Overall, this book was amazing. It’s my first 5 (five) star book of 2021 and I hope that bodes well for all future books. I hope everyone takes the time to read this book because it’s message is so very important. Just make sure you are in the right headspace as this book has topics of abuse and sexual assault that are hard to read at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
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