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It took me a bit to get into the book, but once I did, I devoured it.
Since the book tries to do a lot, it obviously doesn't cut very deep on all topics - but I think it's a great base for doing further research or reading other books about related issues. Therefore, I don't necessarily view it as a weakness.
I loved Yami as a character and a narrator. I often found myself smiling or even laughing at her sarcastic remarks. I really wanted to give her a hug.
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Racism, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Classism, Deportation
"Mijo, if the Bible tells me I shouldn't love my kids, then the Bible is wrong."
Graphic: Cursing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, Grief, Lesbophobia, Deportation
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Outing, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Abortion, Classism
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Outing, Deportation
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Deportation
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Deportation
Minor: Cursing, Racism, Alcohol
- Yamilet is a great character with a unique voice, and you will root for her even when she’s making mistakes.
- Nearly everyone makes mistakes - both big and small - in this book, and that’s part of what makes it great. Everyone is just trying to get through all the hard things happening to them, and no one is doing it perfectly but they figure out how to love each other regardless.
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Deportation
Most compelling in this story is Reyes' look at mental health crises for queer teens. We know statistically that queer teens face disproportionately high rates of bullying and harassment, physical and sexual abuse, depression, and suicidal ideation, and we see these themes explicitly played out in Yamilet and Cesar's storylines. Readers who like to see on-page discussions of mental health care and intervention (akin to Heartstopper) will appreciate how these conflicts are managed by Reyes - particularly how they evidence the ways in which racism and classism within healthcare further complicate crisis care and long-term support for marginalized youth.
I found myself more drawn to the family dynamics and interpersonal relationships (outside of the romances) in this story (the sibling dynamic between Yami + Cesar meant the world to me), so I was only disappointed that the final 20% centered romance to the degree that it did for Yamilet - that said, this was just personal preference.
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Racism, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Outing, Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Blood
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Deportation
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Racism, Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, Outing
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Outing, Toxic friendship, Classism, Deportation