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maya_b's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
This book was absolutely amazing and I really loved every second of reading it. It was so interesting to be in Zen's head and see everything from her perspective, and she was a great character, just like everyone around her was, too. The aunts were amazing, and I loved them, even if not quite as much as I loved Uncle Sprink/Sprinkles, because, honestly, how could I not love them, they were amazing!
And most of the children I really liked, too, although I will say, that apart from Arli and Melissa, all of them felt a little more like add-ons than really part of the story. They were still pretty cool, and I loved them, and I thought the way they were written worked well with the rest of the story, it's just that they aren't that present, so I also kind of don't really… it's not like I don't care about them, I do, I just really wish I could care more and had gotten to know them a little better, but most of them weren't really that big a part of the story, while at the same time being framed like they were a really big part of the story, and I just wish I could have seen more of them. Especially Elijah would have been amazing to have around more often.
But even for the short time they were there, they were really good, and I loved how much representation (queer and otherwise) was in this book, without it feeling forced. I did not expect this much from the synopsis, but I loved every second of it, and I also really liked how all the characters were different, even if there was similar stuff going on.
I was also not expecting the book to get as serious as it did, from time to time, but it worked, and Zen's life did feel real and not like just anything had been thrown at her. I felt like all of it actually made a lot of sense (in an "other stuff would have also made sense, but if it's this, it's just as reasonable" kind of way, not in a way that anything else wouldn't have made sense).
The only thing I surprisingly didn't like, was the actual story of the book. I liked that there was a story, in theory, but somehow the whole thing felt too easy, and also a little disconnected from everything else in the book, and everything else I loved so much (most of the time), that these little scenes where the hacking-plot went on, sometimes even felt random and compared to everything else really weak. I think it's because there were no obstacles (or almost none), and Zen managed everthing just a little too easily, and then compared to the really complex characters and interactions and Zen's inner turmoils and everything during the rest of the book, all hacking scenes felt really flat to me, and I honestly could have gone without it. Also the end didn't really feel that satisfying, and with everything else going on, it almost felt a little like an open end, because not everything about the hacking was resolved? If this whole book had just been about Zen and her friends and her managing her school life, I would have been more than happy, and this would no doubt be a 5/5 book for me.
Apart from the story, there were some other minor things I wasn't the biggest fan of(like Arli not realizing the conversation between ven and Zen after the coming out stuff was exactly like the conversation a little prior where vo had asked Zen to stop, and she did, but then the other way around vo didn't even clock it and then after it was just fine? I mean, it's great that both of them could let it go and be friends again, but it still felt a little wrong to me, that it was never discussed any further) , but none of them took away from the fun I had while reading, and even with the story not working for me, it is very much still an amazing book, and I did love it.
Had a really great time reading it, and Zen was lovely as the main character, even with all her flaws. I love her.
And most of the children I really liked, too, although I will say, that apart from Arli and Melissa, all of them felt a little more like add-ons than really part of the story. They were still pretty cool, and I loved them, and I thought the way they were written worked well with the rest of the story, it's just that they aren't that present, so I also kind of don't really… it's not like I don't care about them, I do, I just really wish I could care more and had gotten to know them a little better, but most of them weren't really that big a part of the story, while at the same time being framed like they were a really big part of the story, and I just wish I could have seen more of them. Especially Elijah would have been amazing to have around more often.
But even for the short time they were there, they were really good, and I loved how much representation (queer and otherwise) was in this book, without it feeling forced. I did not expect this much from the synopsis, but I loved every second of it, and I also really liked how all the characters were different, even if there was similar stuff going on.
I was also not expecting the book to get as serious as it did, from time to time, but it worked, and Zen's life did feel real and not like just anything had been thrown at her. I felt like all of it actually made a lot of sense (in an "other stuff would have also made sense, but if it's this, it's just as reasonable" kind of way, not in a way that anything else wouldn't have made sense).
The only thing I surprisingly didn't like, was the actual story of the book. I liked that there was a story, in theory, but somehow the whole thing felt too easy, and also a little disconnected from everything else in the book, and everything else I loved so much (most of the time), that these little scenes where the hacking-plot went on, sometimes even felt random and compared to everything else really weak. I think it's because there were no obstacles (or almost none), and Zen managed everthing just a little too easily, and then compared to the really complex characters and interactions and Zen's inner turmoils and everything during the rest of the book, all hacking scenes felt really flat to me, and I honestly could have gone without it. Also the end didn't really feel that satisfying, and with everything else going on, it almost felt a little like an open end, because not everything about the hacking was resolved? If this whole book had just been about Zen and her friends and her managing her school life, I would have been more than happy, and this would no doubt be a 5/5 book for me.
Apart from the story, there were some other minor things I wasn't the biggest fan of
Had a really great time reading it, and Zen was lovely as the main character, even with all her flaws. I love her.
rachelisathomas22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
kailynpreston's review
5.0
I loved loved loved this book! It has a bit of everything: trans (both FTM (minor character) and MTF (main character)), non-binary, lesbian aunts, transphobia, Muslim-phobia, bullying, struggles with religion. Just overall a great book. The main plot is about the trans main character’s transition, but there’s also a hacker mystery and a possible budding romance! I adored this book.
bickie's review
4.0
Zenobia is dealing with a lot of changes all at once. Kept inside their trailer home in rural Arizona by her fundamentalist father after her mother died (when she was about 5) because her identity as a girl does not match her biological body, Zenobia became very skilled at hacking computer systems, including popular on-line game Lukematon. When her father dies in April, she eventually goes to live with his sister, Aunt Lucy, and her wife, Phil(omena) in Portland, Maine. The aunties help Zenobia change her legal name, enroll in school as a girl, and do their best to help Zenobia find some female clothing appropriate for a middle-schooler. Zenobia joins a lunch table of "misfits," led by Arli, a non-binary word-play lover. She also begins to make friends with a fundamentalist girl, Melissa, whose manners make her feel at home. Zen also makes an enemy of Robert, the acknowledged school expert in all things tech, when she corrects his hypothesis about Lukematon as well as his diagnosis of what is wrong with a teacher's computer. When the school website gets hacked with hate speech, Zenobia's tech skills lead her to a shocking discovery about where the hacking is coming from. Meanwhile, Zen becomes a target of the resident "mean girl," Natalie. The aunties' friend Uncle Sprink provides some much-needed fashion and make-up mentoring, helping Zen create the look that feels right to her.
whatsmacksaid's review
4.0
Heartwarming, delightful, thoughtful, and generally just pretty great. Add it to your list of middle grade must-reads.
burnourhistory's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
almase2020's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
What beautiful insight into zenobia's mind. There were some details/parts of story i had trouble following but as it went on, it just highlighted how messy real life is but in a great way.
caoidh's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a great book. It explores lots of themes in a pretty even-keeled story. There was the tension between Zenobia's USA-style-Christianity background and her new life with her married aunts, who are deeply connected with the queer community. There was grief and gender dysphoria. There was also neurodivergence, as I read Zen as autistic, given her experiences of sensory overwhelm and the like. There was also the usual new kid challenge of trying to find friends at a new school.
With all these things going on in her life, Zen spends the novel focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, with the occasional school-related drama to deal with.
This is not a coming out book, and it's not about being trans. It's about surviving school, building your self-esteem and finding support.
With all these things going on in her life, Zen spends the novel focusing on putting one foot in front of the other, with the occasional school-related drama to deal with.
This is not a coming out book, and it's not about being trans. It's about surviving school, building your self-esteem and finding support.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Transphobia, and Islamophobia
rorystoryhour's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.5
chasingpages1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Islamophobia, and Homophobia