Reviews

I think this was good but just a little young for me. I did like seeing Rumi’s thoughts and actions through grief and how she managed to go through it without her sister. I also liked the memories she had that informed the reader on the relationships she had with her family. I liked the exploration of her sexuality and asexuality and how everyone she interacted with had different responses to it but they were all positive. “Don’t know what it means to want to be around sometime all the time, but never want to be intimate. Don’t know what it means to want a best friend who won’t date anyone else”- Rumi exploring her aroace identity

space_pancake's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

speculativeshelves's review against another edition

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4.0

A beautiful exploration of the complicated feelings involved in grief, friendship, family, and self-discovery.

There are a lot of excellent things here for the depiction of Rumi's grief filled with anger and loneliness, the evolving friendships with her neighbors in Hawaii, her connection with music, and the inclusion of Hawaiian Pidgin. The story felt very real and the ending hit me hard.

I also really enjoyed the aro/ace representation. It's some of the best I've read and I connected to it a lot. I especially appreciated the emphasis this story placed on not needing to firmly label yourself (Rumi ends up deciding she's asexual and somewhere on the aromantic spectrum but unsure exactly where) and how the other characters were immediately understanding of her identity. A lot of contemporary aro/ace rep I've read tends to take the Asexuality/Aromanticism-101 kind of route which is good and important but I'm happy to read a book that explores someone figuring out their identity without needing to answer every single question someone would have about a-spec identities.

eloracookauthor's review against another edition

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5.0

Gorgeous just as I predicted it would be. Akemi paints these soulful pictures of grief and the different ways we can heal with lots of beautiful imagery involved! I loved how it was set in Hawaii and I always adore how she adds a grandparent figure as a friend and mentor. Kai was adorable, though that last bit broke my heart in a way Lea's death throughout the story didn't!
The only thing I can critique about this book is it hasn't pushed it's way into my top favourite books like Starfish did and (spoiler ahead)

Spoiler

I wish Akemi had left in the car accident the person calling out Rumi's name to Lea and not her mom. I thought it took the emotional pull out of it when that was revealed.

Overall, this is definitely a book to pick up! Rumi's path to healing is so well done and authentic and all the Hawaiian aspects was amazing!

I loved Starfish so much so I cannot contain my excitement for this book!!!!

emilycxmpbxll's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-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

3.5

janienefe's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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