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eloracookauthor's review
5.0
Oh my god. OH MY GOD. I haven't felt this emotional over a book in so long - especially not a YA contemporary. This book is half heartbreaking, half beautiful and I'm convinced Bowman concocted true, genuine magic into this story. I really don't know how to put into words how much I love this book, everything about it is perfect and beautiful and....*weeps*.
1) Jamie is 100% book boyfriend material. Full stop. (Can I yank him out into my life please?)
2) Bowman's use of words to describe drawings are everything. I stopped and reread many of them over the course of the story.
3) It struck a deep cord with me, what Kiko went through. I too have social anxiety, but I never realized to the extent I have it until Bowman described in such exact ways what I've experienced and felt over the years....But also the relationship with her mother struck deep, too. I am blessed to have parents who are loving and supportive of me, but I do have someone close who has grown up with the same type of mother-daughter relationship as Kiko and it broke my heart from chapter 1 to see him in Kiko.
If you haven't read this yet, what are you waiting for? Seriously? I'm a picky reader and this book has ripped out my emotions without any warning, but I don't mind at all.
1) Jamie is 100% book boyfriend material. Full stop. (Can I yank him out into my life please?)
2) Bowman's use of words to describe drawings are everything. I stopped and reread many of them over the course of the story.
3) It struck a deep cord with me, what Kiko went through. I too have social anxiety, but I never realized to the extent I have it until Bowman described in such exact ways what I've experienced and felt over the years....But also the relationship with her mother struck deep, too. I am blessed to have parents who are loving and supportive of me, but I do have someone close who has grown up with the same type of mother-daughter relationship as Kiko and it broke my heart from chapter 1 to see him in Kiko.
If you haven't read this yet, what are you waiting for? Seriously? I'm a picky reader and this book has ripped out my emotions without any warning, but I don't mind at all.
ellagant's review
I had Olivia pick this book for my randomly from the school library one morning. I just feel like the characters have no depth and it's a mess of teenage emotion with little plot. I REALLY don't want to finish this book . . . so I'm not going to. A cliche YA novel that was a little cringey and sloppy for me and didn't hold my attention.
freyathefridayfairy's review
5.0
I only really bought this book because of it's pretty cover, but it was amazing. I read it within three days. The story was very emotional and moving, character driven, with plenty of plot twists and surprising bits. It's a book that will stay with me forever!
dragonreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bookswithbit's review
4.0
Such a fantastic story - exploring heritage, beauty, narcissism, abuse, and everything that comes with the pain of growing up.
I loved Kiko’s narrative and being able to see her growth through both the story and through the descriptions of her art. Bonus points for a cute friends to lovers arc.
I loved Kiko’s narrative and being able to see her growth through both the story and through the descriptions of her art. Bonus points for a cute friends to lovers arc.
sarahwllt's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
czargasm's review
5.0
I'm all torn up inside. This book was so good and so important. Somehow it feels like it was written just for me, like all the little broken pieces of who I am were scraped together to form something beautiful, and it was this perfect book. I didn't know how much I needed this.
select52's review
5.0
I devoured this book, such a great story. Kiko was such a great character, I adored her.
wyleus's review against another edition
4.0
4☆ – i think i found THE character that made my blood boil the most while reading: kiko's mother. there were times where i physically wanted to punch the screen. i hated her with all my heart, and that's probabily why the ending was sooo satisfying.
but if i hated her i can't say the same thing about kiko. my baby :( the whole book felt like watching a daughter embark in her personal growth journey. i'm so proud of her.
it felt like a breath of fresh air, i loved every single person that made kiko feel at home because they made me feel at home too. that's the most fitting description that i can give of "starfish": it felt like home.
but if i hated her i can't say the same thing about kiko. my baby :( the whole book felt like watching a daughter embark in her personal growth journey. i'm so proud of her.
it felt like a breath of fresh air, i loved every single person that made kiko feel at home because they made me feel at home too. that's the most fitting description that i can give of "starfish": it felt like home.