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theirgracegrace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Grief, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Stalking, Violence, Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Self harm, Transphobia, Cursing, Death, Dysphoria, Kidnapping, Rape, Deadnaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Xenophobia
Minor: Blood, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
the_real_al_cal's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
In some ways, this book is a tough read because of the racism and transphobia that the main character, Katrina, faces. The story doesn't shy away from her struggles, including some very sad scenes early on in which she is brought very low. I imagine that unless trans readers are looking for a story where common struggles are highlighted, this would still be a tough read, because, as other reviewers have mentioned, Katrina is deadnamed and frequently fetishized and sexually assaulted, leaving no question as to what's happening. That said, the story places just as much importance on her growth as a musician and as the person she has always wanted to be. We follow Katrina during her highest highs and lowest lows, and it really just made you root for her in finding herself through her music and her supportive found family. Her parts of the story were the most compelling--reading about her growing relationship with Shizuka and Astrid was so wholesome and were some of my favorite parts of the book.
I'm typically more of a fantasy reader than a sci-fi reader, so I wasn't sure how I would like the sci-fi/alien aspect (not a spoiler; it's in the book summary). Sometimes it did feel a little bit much, with everything else going on, and could be a bit difficult for me to follow. Until the very end, I felt like the entire Tran family could have been nixed from the story without losing much. Though I did really like Shirley and Lan. But I think their part of the story reads more slice-of-life than anything. Looking at it in that context makes their contribution to the overall story feel more purposeful (I realize I just kind of boomeranged my opinion, but the Tran family kind of does that to me, lol).
All-in-all, I'm glad I read this book. I wouldn't say it shifted my reality or rocked my world in ways that other similar books have, but it was still a nice read and kept my attention all the way through. The descriptions of the foods left me drooling--they sounded delicious! I can definitely see it being a special book on the top shelf for other readers, especially (but not exclusive to) trans audiences. If you're at all curious about the book, I'd say give it a try! At the end of the day, the relationships were sweet and complex, and that was the most important part. Just like Katrina, this book deserves some love.
Graphic: Xenophobia, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Mental illness, Murder, Outing, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming and Lesbophobia
Minor: Child death and Chronic illness
troisha's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism and Transphobia
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Misogyny, Murder, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Hate crime, Incest, Pedophilia, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, and War