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erafal's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.75
spinstah's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of those scarily possible books. But the characters were wonderful, and I liked the ambiguous ending.
nutter's review against another edition
2.0
I was really hoping to enjoy this one. I was surprised by how poetic the first chapter was. As the (audio)book went one, I was more and more disappointed. Plus, I live in Toronto. Who doesn't like a book about where they live?
The focus on intersectionality was something novel to read. The writing seemed poetic and flowy, though I'm starting to think that was just because it was the author reading the book, rather than the text itself.
My favourite aspect of the book was the exploration of oppression through individual experiences. The scenes with the church service and Kay's mother were great. If this book was a fiction story focusing on stories like that, I could give them a four-star. Take out all the dystopian bs and the badly written politics. Stick to the personal stories.
The rest was just not good. Half of the characters spoke like robotic pamphlets telling me about the goals of their organization. It felt worse than when a company tries to write something to appeal to a diverse audience but has no idea how humans actually speak. The characters felt flat and forgettable. Placing an international event on Canada Day seemed like a really lame and no-the-nose choice. The protests were written as if there were only 10 people present, performing badly written spoken word. The training montages were hilariously bad and unbelievable. The use of Toronto was also a bit weird. It was nice as someone that lived there, but I feel for non-Torontonians it would be a bit confusing. Most books shy away from being super specific about their locations, but Hernandez seemed to want everyone to know the main streets of DT Toronto and some very specific locations.
Any time Hernandez tried to write any politics, all believability jumped out the window. The reasons behind The Renovation were really stretching it. It was just "white people are racist and homophobic". Also, how did they move that amount of people and take over a government without SOMEONE filming? It made no sense. It felt like those horror movies where suddenly everyone loses cellphone service. The ending was also so anti-climactic. They confront the PM and the "I'm going to say my name" bs was just not for me. It was all fluff without substance.
Also, stop writing twins as if they are the same person. As a twin, it's getting really old.
I tried to get a refund and then remembered I had received a free copy from Audible. Still wish I could return.
If you want a really good review, a. a. d. wolfe wrote a perfect two-star review in December of 2020.
Not written for me. I ended up speeding through the last 10 chapters just to get to the end.
The focus on intersectionality was something novel to read. The writing seemed poetic and flowy, though I'm starting to think that was just because it was the author reading the book, rather than the text itself.
My favourite aspect of the book was the exploration of oppression through individual experiences. The scenes with the church service and Kay's mother were great. If this book was a fiction story focusing on stories like that, I could give them a four-star. Take out all the dystopian bs and the badly written politics. Stick to the personal stories.
The rest was just not good. Half of the characters spoke like robotic pamphlets telling me about the goals of their organization. It felt worse than when a company tries to write something to appeal to a diverse audience but has no idea how humans actually speak. The characters felt flat and forgettable. Placing an international event on Canada Day seemed like a really lame and no-the-nose choice. The protests were written as if there were only 10 people present, performing badly written spoken word. The training montages were hilariously bad and unbelievable. The use of Toronto was also a bit weird. It was nice as someone that lived there, but I feel for non-Torontonians it would be a bit confusing. Most books shy away from being super specific about their locations, but Hernandez seemed to want everyone to know the main streets of DT Toronto and some very specific locations.
Any time Hernandez tried to write any politics, all believability jumped out the window. The reasons behind The Renovation were really stretching it. It was just "white people are racist and homophobic". Also, how did they move that amount of people and take over a government without SOMEONE filming? It made no sense. It felt like those horror movies where suddenly everyone loses cellphone service. The ending was also so anti-climactic. They confront the PM and the "I'm going to say my name" bs was just not for me. It was all fluff without substance.
Also, stop writing twins as if they are the same person. As a twin, it's getting really old.
I tried to get a refund and then remembered I had received a free copy from Audible. Still wish I could return.
If you want a really good review, a. a. d. wolfe wrote a perfect two-star review in December of 2020.
Not written for me. I ended up speeding through the last 10 chapters just to get to the end.
ncrozier's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a masterpiece. I have such complicated emotions. I hated so much of this story, because it was a dystopia future I do not want to live in, but feels to possible for comfort. But the fact that I felt that dislike is part of what makes this book so incredible.
This book is a must read. Must must must.
This book is a must read. Must must must.
awhite29's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
emmaito's review against another edition
5.0
Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez is a piece of art. This book put itself into my soul and so carefully wound itself into me and through me. Although dystopic, this book felt so real that I often had to step away to jerk myself back into reality - topics like climate change, LGBTQ2S+ rights, the forced sterilization of Indigenous women and more were covered so honestly, so raw-ly, and each layer is intersected with each other in a difficult, yet beautiful, way.
Our main character, Queen Kay, a Filipino-Jamaican drag queen, and her journey showed to me so much strength & perseverance, love & joy, within a life of intense hardship and sadness. Although often difficult to read, I was still unable to put this down, and by the end this book to me shows the beauty of what could be; a blooming bud amidst the ash. This book is so excellently written and I am keen to read more from Catherine Hernandez.
Our main character, Queen Kay, a Filipino-Jamaican drag queen, and her journey showed to me so much strength & perseverance, love & joy, within a life of intense hardship and sadness. Although often difficult to read, I was still unable to put this down, and by the end this book to me shows the beauty of what could be; a blooming bud amidst the ash. This book is so excellently written and I am keen to read more from Catherine Hernandez.
exitmovement's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? No
4.0
amn028's review against another edition
5.0
This book is gut punch after gut punch. It is not easy to read. It is beautifully written, but the subject matter is hard. I had to put the book down a few times to digest what I had just read.
_meganrose's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Mental illness, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia