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adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Frankly, the beginning of this book irked me. I found it flat and irritating and monotonous - Linus's life in the city stinks, and he's merely surviving in an almost dystopian setting until he travels to an island in the ocean full of children that scare him because they aren't typical. I also found his floundering a little disingenuous - his adamant excuses about the bounds of his job as a caseworker probably needed to be there for him to break out of his learned obedience, but it really seemed like the worst kind of sitcom to me, where each of the children had their own gag and he'd react in a bumbling way.
And then something changed, and I cannot precisely put my finger on it, but I began to enjoy the book for its heart. It's still a beach read in my mind, and I cannot reconcile Linus' strange behavior between recognizing bigotry (since some of the story seemed to entail him unlearning similar lessons) and also wanting to put the children in that environment, though it made more sense once it actually happened. In fact, its clearly allegorical structure seems really simplistic and heavy-handed at times, with the children standing in for a variety of marginalized people without really acknowledging the specifics of how bigotry works, what intersectionality is or realizes (for instance, it seemed important that Sal was Black, but his race wasn't ever remarked on as a part of his struggle as apparently the only werewolf in the world. Maybe Klune didn't want to bother with these things and created a world that has no racism or homophobia, but there's also that weird interaction with Linus' neighbor who 'forgets' he's 'not one for the ladies'?? I digress), how resistance can work outside the system, or what 'passing' means for different people. For this reason, I also have some questions about the actual audience of this book, as it seemed to straddle adult and YA. But on the whole, I found it sweet.
And then something changed, and I cannot precisely put my finger on it, but I began to enjoy the book for its heart. It's still a beach read in my mind, and I cannot reconcile Linus' strange behavior between recognizing bigotry (since some of the story seemed to entail him unlearning similar lessons) and also wanting to put the children in that environment, though it made more sense once it actually happened. In fact, its clearly allegorical structure seems really simplistic and heavy-handed at times, with the children standing in for a variety of marginalized people without really acknowledging the specifics of how bigotry works, what intersectionality is or realizes (for instance, it seemed important that Sal was Black, but his race wasn't ever remarked on as a part of his struggle as apparently the only werewolf in the world. Maybe Klune didn't want to bother with these things and created a world that has no racism or homophobia, but there's also that weird interaction with Linus' neighbor who 'forgets' he's 'not one for the ladies'?? I digress), how resistance can work outside the system, or what 'passing' means for different people. For this reason, I also have some questions about the actual audience of this book, as it seemed to straddle adult and YA. But on the whole, I found it sweet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual content
There's a character Lucy, the Antichrist that makes wildly violent statements to people, but it's mostly clear that it is in jest.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
"Hate is loud, but I think you'll learn it's because it's only a few people shouting, desperate to be heard. You might not ever be able to change their minds, but so long as you remember you're not alone, you will overcome."
Even though fantasy is not my favorite genre, there was no way I was bypassing this book—it was getting a ton of rave time in my online book groups and I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype.
After just a few pages, I was surprised to find out that it's actually young adult fiction. (If it's not officially classified as such, somebody was sleeping on the job or had some sort of literary agenda.) While very pleasantly and well written, it's definitely way more simplistic than most adult novels. And, it's far lighter than Harry Potter.
On the politically correct scale, it's a heavy weight. Even Lucifer (AKA Lucy), the son of Satan, is not to be feared or judged. 😄
If you're looking for a marshmallowy feel good book, you've found it. It's basically the equivalent of watching one of those intelligent animated movies that speak to both kids and adults. (In fact, if this isn't made into a movie, I will be shocked.) Thanks to TJ Klune, I could literally see each character on my mental movie screen.
For me, this was an enjoyable romp into young adult land. I'm not a raver, just a liker.
Even though fantasy is not my favorite genre, there was no way I was bypassing this book—it was getting a ton of rave time in my online book groups and I wanted to see if it lived up to the hype.
After just a few pages, I was surprised to find out that it's actually young adult fiction. (If it's not officially classified as such, somebody was sleeping on the job or had some sort of literary agenda.) While very pleasantly and well written, it's definitely way more simplistic than most adult novels. And, it's far lighter than Harry Potter.
On the politically correct scale, it's a heavy weight. Even Lucifer (AKA Lucy), the son of Satan, is not to be feared or judged. 😄
If you're looking for a marshmallowy feel good book, you've found it. It's basically the equivalent of watching one of those intelligent animated movies that speak to both kids and adults. (In fact, if this isn't made into a movie, I will be shocked.) Thanks to TJ Klune, I could literally see each character on my mental movie screen.
For me, this was an enjoyable romp into young adult land. I'm not a raver, just a liker.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Physical abuse
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, Hate crime, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Self harm, Death of parent
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This book touched my heart so deeply, it reached inside of me and warmed me to my core. All of the children were so precious, even Lucifer. What a lovely, feel good story. It made me feel warm and cozy, like sitting next to a nice fire.
This was my face the entire time reading it: 🥺
This was my face the entire time reading it: 🥺
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Abandonment
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-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
So I gave this a 4,5 when I originally read it.
But I have since then v much changed my mind about TJ Klune and whether I condone him taking the Sixties Scoop as a form of inspiration.
So now it's 2 stars.
But I have since then v much changed my mind about TJ Klune and whether I condone him taking the Sixties Scoop as a form of inspiration.
So now it's 2 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Genocide, Physical abuse, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment