Scan barcode
the_true_monroe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
4.75
So many people rely on art to process their emotions and cope with a world where they are made to feel that they do not belong, and are treated as: less than, a burden, too much, broken and unnatural.
When we utilize art in this way though, what are we trying to do for ourselves? Are we trying to put the worst of us into a form that we should keep sealed shut like a genie in a bottle and mask, or are we wanting to capture each part of us so we can recognize what is going on in our head, why and how we can process that, or for some other reasons?
This book presents two nonbinary, brown, neurodivergent teens who have a curious and mystical connection with a part of the world others are unable to enter and perceive, that seems to revolve around using art as an escape and release. We see these characters who truly have been growing into their true selves, confronted by things from the past they worked so hard to bury deep down.
I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook, and how aside from a focus on internalized ableism, along with experiences of ableism, racism and transphobia , both main characters have solid, strong support systems and people who really do get them. There is no sugar coating but also so much emphasis on how simple it can be for people to accept you as you are, and learn and grow alongside you.
When we utilize art in this way though, what are we trying to do for ourselves? Are we trying to put the worst of us into a form that we should keep sealed shut like a genie in a bottle and mask, or are we wanting to capture each part of us so we can recognize what is going on in our head, why and how we can process that, or for some other reasons?
This book presents two nonbinary, brown, neurodivergent teens who have a curious and mystical connection with a part of the world others are unable to enter and perceive, that seems to revolve around using art as an escape and release. We see these characters who truly have been growing into their true selves, confronted by things from the past they worked so hard to bury deep down.
I absolutely loved listening to the audiobook, and how aside from a focus on internalized ableism, along with experiences of ableism, racism and transphobia , both main characters have solid, strong support systems and people who really do get them. There is no sugar coating but also so much emphasis on how simple it can be for people to accept you as you are, and learn and grow alongside you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Sexism, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Medical content, Stalking, and Hate crime
lopeared's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Ableism
Moderate: Violence, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Racism, and Transphobia
Minor: Medical content and Injury/Injury detail
janiscox's review
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
A great book about gender diversity, beurodibergence and mental health. Took a bit to get into because I'm not very adept at colour names, but worth the read. Very touching end and a book I could have done with when I was a teen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, and Racism
Moderate: Ableism, Mental illness, Classism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Drug use, Stalking, and Grief
cameronreads's review
4.0
The discussions around being Latiné, non-binary and neurodivergent in this book were some of the best I’ve ever read. Bastián is Mexican, non-binary and has ADHD, and Lore is Mexican, non-binary, and has dyslexia. There were so many ways these identities are discussed and every one of them was incredible. The differences in how the two experience gender, with Bastián identifying as a trans boy, just one who uses they/them pronouns, and Lore’s identity being more fluid, and how this effects them differently: Basitián’s experience with starting T and how to tell people in his life, and Lore’s experience with people perceiving them solely as a girl and not understanding why they would ‘chose’ to sometimes not be. Asking explicitly what words you use to describe yourself, and understanding this can be both abstract and change from day to day. As a non-binary person, this is probably one of the best reps I’ve read.
Watching Bastián properly come to terms with their ADHD was so powerful. They’ve been diagnosed since before the book starts and already have plenty of coping mechanisms - but also many things they still struggle with, one of which being not allowing themselves to come to terms with their bad days and letting that swallow them up. Watching them learn how to communicate and reconcile with themself was exactly what I needed. I may not have ADHD so couldn’t relate to the intricacies of what Bastián was going through, but I am autistic and the broader struggle of coming to terms with having aa neurodivergent brain was explored wonderfully.
Similarly, Lore’s dyslexia was explored very well, and there were some wonderful metaphors and explanations that really helped me, as someone who doesn’t have nor knows anyone who has dyslexia, understand at least a little of what it is like. I think it was really interesting to discover, as Lore does, (potential spoiler here) that it isn’t really the fact they’re dyslexic that bothers them, but rather who people see them as someone with dyslexia (as well as someone who is brown and non-binary).
Personally, I wasn’t that connected to the plot, and whilst this was a bit of an issue for my overall enjoyment of the book, I don’t think it matters for the book as a whole, as really it felt like a metaphor to allow these two characters to come to terms with themselves
The romance, whilst perhaps not necessary, was sweet, and I did really appreciate the open communication at the end.
The writing, whilst not my favourite style, was well done, both as a mode of communicating the discussions it had and creating an atmosphere for the main plot. The characters were relatable and flawed, and we all know those are my two buzzwords for characters.
Overall, this was well-done, and I’d definitely recommend.
Watching Bastián properly come to terms with their ADHD was so powerful. They’ve been diagnosed since before the book starts and already have plenty of coping mechanisms - but also many things they still struggle with, one of which being not allowing themselves to come to terms with their bad days and letting that swallow them up. Watching them learn how to communicate and reconcile with themself was exactly what I needed. I may not have ADHD so couldn’t relate to the intricacies of what Bastián was going through, but I am autistic and the broader struggle of coming to terms with having aa neurodivergent brain was explored wonderfully.
Similarly, Lore’s dyslexia was explored very well, and there were some wonderful metaphors and explanations that really helped me, as someone who doesn’t have nor knows anyone who has dyslexia, understand at least a little of what it is like. I think it was really interesting to discover, as Lore does, (potential spoiler here) that it isn’t really the fact they’re dyslexic that bothers them, but rather who people see them as someone with dyslexia (as well as someone who is brown and non-binary).
Personally, I wasn’t that connected to the plot, and whilst this was a bit of an issue for my overall enjoyment of the book, I don’t think it matters for the book as a whole, as really it felt like a metaphor to allow these two characters to come to terms with themselves
The romance, whilst perhaps not necessary, was sweet, and I did really appreciate the open communication at the end.
The writing, whilst not my favourite style, was well done, both as a mode of communicating the discussions it had and creating an atmosphere for the main plot. The characters were relatable and flawed, and we all know those are my two buzzwords for characters.
Overall, this was well-done, and I’d definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Medical content, and Blood
Moderate: Misogyny and Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Stalking
More...