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Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Also note that I am deeply attached to Mr Linus Baker so first book is still my beloved but this sequel is still loved. Like the rest of the characters, I'm also usually disagreeing with public figures (politicians), because it's true. They put themselves above the people that they serve. Arthur and his family's frustration can be felt. Peole are always blinded by hate and refrain from understanding a new perspective if it didn't fit with theirs.
I hope the world learns to be more understanding, albeit not as welcoming but open to differences and deviate from the norm.
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Deportation
Moderate: War
Graphic: Bullying, Racism, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gaslighting
Moderate: Child abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Gaslighting
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Death of parent
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Gaslighting
If you haven't read the first book in this series, it follows a group of magical children in an oppressive orphanage system designed to take away their power and make them "normal". But despite this, the orphanage leader rebels, trying to bring joy and light to all of the children's lives. The cast of characters includes: a seaslug boy who wants to be a bellhop, a little girl who is a garden gnome, a teenage boy who shifts into a tiny Pomeranian dog, the actual Antichrist, and many more!
So much of this book was reality instead of fantasy. The trial which T.J Klune based on the horrific trial of the family of a trans child felt terrifying to read. Both because of the reality and parallels, and also because of a certain judge keenly modelled after a certain transphobic, sinister children's author. It was a heart-wrenching and so so grounded portrayal of systems of oppression and the people who run them, as well as those who fight back.
But alongside that, the beautiful queer and magical joy that Klune portrays brings so much light. We can kill them with kindness, kill them with words, with proof of their abuse. We can bite back by showing our queer joy, by being ourselves, being a community, being a family. All of us together.
The characters were electric as always, I loved getting to build on what I knew of old characters, and get to know new ones. My favourites are still Chauncey and Sal, but I truly love all of the Marsyas family.
I was also keenly following along with Klune's retro music references, adding them to a playlist as I went along, which really added to the ambience of the book! Despite all of the tension and worrying events, so much of this book gave a beautiful ambience. It is perfect to read on a summer day in nature, or nursing a chilled drink with Ella Fitzgerald on in the background. I would recommend making a day of reading some of it with the matching vibes! It will not disappoint.
All in all, a great queer read if you want a mix of tension and stakes, with a cosy and hopeful undertone. It will leave you with a glow, and a penchant for rebellion.
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Minor: Transphobia
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Torture, Transphobia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War
Giving many moments of heart warming, eye watering, sweet childhood and familial love. Joyous and comedic moments bright in nature. And emotional depth that only made it all more compelling and tear jerking to read.
With very happy idyllic endings for the characters I already loved and now love even more.
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Slavery, Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Gaslighting, Deportation