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lowsmee's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
The highlight of this book is the relationship between Marisol and Gabi. The ending was a huge miss for me.
The sisterly love could not balance out the coercion, torture, emotional manipulation that came after it. I loved so much about the book but I couldn’t get past these 4 things.
1. I’m disgusted by the fact that Marisol gets taken in by the same people who were willing to sacrafice her to preserve their own family.
2. Her relationship with Rey has it’s moments but they are overshadowed by Rey’s willfull ignorance around how the cuffs work. I don’t buy that she just didn’t notice how Marisol was getting worse at the same rate that she was getting better.
3. I don’t think the author fully addresses why transferring grief and trauma from one person to another is a bad idea. There was an opportunity to highlight the importance of our interpersonal relationships in processing grief but she only hints at it.
4. Indranie uses her identity as a justification for kidnapping and abuse and it works.
The non YA sequel should be focused on Marisol processing the fact that she survived her own very special version of Get Out, and allow her to be angry at the people who decided she wasn’t anything more than a receptical for their fragile, white daughter’s grief.
The sisterly love could not balance out the coercion, torture, emotional manipulation that came after it. I loved so much about the book but I couldn’t get past these 4 things.
1. I’m disgusted by the fact that Marisol gets taken in by the same people who were willing to sacrafice her to preserve their own family.
2. Her relationship with Rey has it’s moments but they are overshadowed by Rey’s willfull ignorance around how the cuffs work. I don’t buy that she just didn’t notice how Marisol was getting worse at the same rate that she was getting better.
3. I don’t think the author fully addresses why transferring grief and trauma from one person to another is a bad idea. There was an opportunity to highlight the importance of our interpersonal relationships in processing grief but she only hints at it.
4. Indranie uses her identity as a justification for kidnapping and abuse and it works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Child death, Death, and Grief
steviaplath's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Medical trauma, Medical content, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Hate crime, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Death, Cursing, and Child abuse
azaliz's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
An amazing story on grief and trauma and depression and illegal immigration, with lovely themes of friendship and love and sacrifices.
There are queer main characters and most of the characters are people of color.
The cover of the book is gorgeous and it represents the book perfectly.
There are queer main characters and most of the characters are people of color.
The cover of the book is gorgeous and it represents the book perfectly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Xenophobia
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