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moserk's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
3.5
Love the premise - YA read with big themes and their intersectionality:
- immigrants/immigration
- LGBTQIA identities and their acceptance/lack thereof
- familial roles
- medical/healthcare ethics,
but execution fell short of my high hopes + left me wanting more. That said, really happy to know this exists in YA.
The pace felt rushed - just 50 more pages to shed more light, please! And some pieces really lacked clarity - although, maybe some of this is due to the focus on character/topic diversity, which again, I much appreciated. I (literally) felt like this story was all over the place - couldn't keep our location sequence sorted.
Worth noting: I had both a physical and audio copy of this and understood better during my physical chapters. At first I thought the detail disconnect was a symptom of my audio portions, but a quick peek at other reviews tells me that I'm not alone here.
The pace felt rushed - just 50 more pages to shed more light, please! And some pieces really lacked clarity - although, maybe some of this is due to the focus on character/topic diversity, which again, I much appreciated. I (literally) felt like this story was all over the place - couldn't keep our location sequence sorted.
Worth noting: I had both a physical and audio copy of this and understood better during my physical chapters. At first I thought the detail disconnect was a symptom of my audio portions, but a quick peek at other reviews tells me that I'm not alone here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Grief, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Suicide attempt, and Homophobia
elissarodriguez22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really wanted to love this book. It touches on how undocumented people/ people of color have always been used as medical experiments for the US. How we can not trust government officials, the difficulties of being queer and POC, and being in a new country.
But it fell just a bit short, I wanted it expanded on more, flushed out. The ending just feels like “welp, that’s that on that”
Anyway, loved the concept, wasn’t the happiest with the execution
But it fell just a bit short, I wanted it expanded on more, flushed out. The ending just feels like “welp, that’s that on that”
Anyway, loved the concept, wasn’t the happiest with the execution
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
avacadosocks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, Violence, and Pedophilia
Minor: Medical content, Fatphobia, Xenophobia, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Racism
hobbithopeful's review
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.5
Would you take on someone else's pain and grief for a chance at a better life?
Marisol has little choice to do otherwise when she agrees to be a part of an experiment in exchange for safety for her and her sister. As the experiment progresses the burden of pain soon becomes overbearing, but she can't help but grow closer and closer to Rey, even though when she touches her the pain is all consuming.
A very real look at how immigrants are treated, this book was heartfelt, real, and full of grief. I do wish it was a bit longer, I still had so many questions, or maybe I just wasn't ready to leave these characters yet. I was afraid this was going to be a very heavy read, and while it does have pockets of sadness, it was nothing too difficult or graphic for me to get through.
It's very easy to forget the privilege we have for being in America, as bad as events and people here can be, there are countless others who works themselves to the bone and risk everything to come here.
I highly recommend this book.
Marisol has little choice to do otherwise when she agrees to be a part of an experiment in exchange for safety for her and her sister. As the experiment progresses the burden of pain soon becomes overbearing, but she can't help but grow closer and closer to Rey, even though when she touches her the pain is all consuming.
A very real look at how immigrants are treated, this book was heartfelt, real, and full of grief. I do wish it was a bit longer, I still had so many questions, or maybe I just wasn't ready to leave these characters yet. I was afraid this was going to be a very heavy read, and while it does have pockets of sadness, it was nothing too difficult or graphic for me to get through.
It's very easy to forget the privilege we have for being in America, as bad as events and people here can be, there are countless others who works themselves to the bone and risk everything to come here.
I highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence
Minor: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
vampire_burrito's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.5
I spent the majority of this book feeling aggressively neutral about it, however I did really like some parts towards the end talking about Marisol's grief/depression. I think I enjoyed the relationship between the two main girls. I liked the parts where they were connecting over their shared love of some old Gilmore Girls-esque show, I thought that was very sweet but on the other hand I wasn't convinced that they would have come to care that deeply for each other in under a month. The other thing I wasn't too sure about was the whole "experiment". I'm not convinced that it was legal and the whole thing felt a bit underdeveloped, which is unfortunate because it's what the entire book is about. I was interested in the commentary that it was supposed to be provided on human experimentation and the way immigrant bodies were used in this program, but I think the book could have gone a little bit deeper (the same things go for all the themes present).That being said, I did enjoy reading about the relationship between Marisol and her younger sister (always love a sibling relationship especially when the MC is an older sister) and, as I've already said, the parts about Marisol and Rey (is that her name. The love interest.) shared grief. Some of the passages really made me feel something and I would say that the book is worth picking up just for those bits. It's one I will probably re-read at some point. I would recommend this book to people who want a YA novel with a sweet sapphic romance, a focus on serious subjects but with a hopeful ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Suicide attempt, and Xenophobia
kshertz's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This one took me a while to read because it was so heavy. I definitely loved the whole plot. The idea that someone would be caught trying to cross the border and then used in an experiment is not far-fetched. The idea that it would be used to relieve grief from luckier more privileged people and put that grief on people who are not born in the US seems like something that could totally happen. I think that’s what made it so sad. I do love the love story that unfolds and I love the ending. It’s much happier than I would imagine but I still think it’s an excellent book to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deportation, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Child death, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Racism, and Violence
novelyon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
The development of Marisol and Rey's relationship was sweet and I enjoyed their parallel arcs as they both discover how they should each tackle their own grief and trauma in a healthy way. The sisterly dialogue between Marisol and Gabi was written very well. The greatest strength of this book was the conversations; each character had a distinct voice and personality, and it was always a joy to just read about the characters talking.
While I enjoyed the characters' arcs and relationships, I found the plot itself to be a bit slow (especially in the beginning, with multiple chapters explaining how the grief transfer works, which doesn't feel very important as this book is very light sci-fi anyway), and the themes could've been touched on with a little more depth. For a novel where the protagonist is a brown immigrant being exploited for a privileged white girl, it lets off the characters that caused and perpetuated that exploitation surprisingly, and disappointingly, lightly. Not only that, but I wish the book dealt with Gabi's trauma more as well; both sisters have been through so much yet the novel doesn't quite touch upon Gabi as it does Marisol; there are many moments where Marisol goes "she's been through so much," yet there are very few moments outside of a precious few lines of dialogue that show that Gabi and some of her behaviors may be processing her own traumas as well.
The ending was also quite abrupt:Like they're searching for Gabi and her friend Juliette at this party but it ends when Marisol just finds Gabi...where was Juliette LOL
Overall, a wonderful book to read if you are invested for the relationships between the characters, but if one wants to read a book that really dives into the heavy topic of US immigration policy and exploitation, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
While I enjoyed the characters' arcs and relationships, I found the plot itself to be a bit slow (especially in the beginning, with multiple chapters explaining how the grief transfer works, which doesn't feel very important as this book is very light sci-fi anyway), and the themes could've been touched on with a little more depth. For a novel where the protagonist is a brown immigrant being exploited for a privileged white girl, it lets off the characters that caused and perpetuated that exploitation surprisingly, and disappointingly, lightly. Not only that, but I wish the book dealt with Gabi's trauma more as well; both sisters have been through so much yet the novel doesn't quite touch upon Gabi as it does Marisol; there are many moments where Marisol goes "she's been through so much," yet there are very few moments outside of a precious few lines of dialogue that show that Gabi and some of her behaviors may be processing her own traumas as well.
The ending was also quite abrupt:
Overall, a wonderful book to read if you are invested for the relationships between the characters, but if one wants to read a book that really dives into the heavy topic of US immigration policy and exploitation, I'd suggest looking elsewhere.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Outing
Minor: Blood, Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Racism
snowydaze's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The ending was a bit rushed, otherwise I loved the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Murder, Medical trauma, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Misogyny, Medical content, and Hate crime
mckeelyshannon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
One of my favorite lines from this book is “A heaviness sits under my skin, above my bones—an invisible, smothering blanket. Pavor, angustia, pánico, a collection of heavy, gut-churning feelings. I am drowning.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Suicide attempt, Murder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Hate crime, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault
just_one_more_paige's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.0
In my (mostly failing but ever effortful) attempt to read the backlist books on my shelves at home between the myriad newer releases and library holds that just keep coming, I present this success! This was part of a used bookstore haul a while ago; the concept (which I feel like I have also read about in other books/shows as well, though none of them are coming to mind now) of transferring emotions from one person to another is one that I find really interesting, so I wanted to see this take on it.
This novel opens with Marisol and her younger sister, Gabi, having just arrived in the US hoping to achieve asylum after escaping from a dangerous situation, one that caused their brother's death, in El Salvador. When Marisol is presented with a "choice" that would make their case for asylum stronger, by participating in a trial for a new technology that would take someone else's grief into her own body, she agrees to it. It's a risk, but Marisol would do anything to protect her younger sister, especially since she feels like it's her fault Gabi was put in such a terrible situation to begin with. Life in America isn't quite like Marisol has seen in her favorite tv shows, but as she bonds with the person she's been paired with for the experiment (Ray) even past what the trial should include, and their feelings for each other grow, Marisol and Ray find that they might be able to help each other move past their griefs together.
I felt like this was a YA novel that read very young. Gabi specifically felt younger than twelve to me, though in fairness, the story was written from Marisol's POV, so that could be her voice projecting onto her "baby" sister. But overall, there was just a very naive vibe to the writing that felt a bit off, considering the life experiences of the sisters. By the end, the writing did morph into something that felt more age-appropriate, but having that transition over such a short time period then just seemed too fast. To clarify, it's not at all that the writing was bad, but just that my biggest "iffy" feeling over the entire reading experience was that the maturity of the writing seemed like it didn't match the character's ages/experiences, nor the tone of the book, until towards the end.
Other than that, this novel did a great job addressing some incredibly serious and intense YA topics with the sincerity and gravity they deserved, but with an understanding of the way they may be experienced differently for youth, as opposed to adults. Which, first off, let me say how frustrated (and by that, I mean truly *angry*) I was, reading about the ridiculous level of manipulation that Marisol (and Gabi) experienced at the hands of US officials. The way they made it seem like she had agency and was able to make a choice, whole in reality everyone knew there was no actual choice, had me hot. Especially because how is crossing the border underage (and knowing what happened to her brother!) not enough trauma to already have to disqualify Marisol from participating?! That aspect of manipulation continued as a theme throughout, even as we learn more about what Ray was told related to the experiment as well. I appreciated that examination of how easily, and in how many ways, this type of technology (even with best intentions) can be harmful and used inappropriately.
Obviously, based on the story itself, there was quite a bit of time devoted to exploring grief and trauma and the myriad ways people can experience and handle it. There were, on this note, quite a few really tough topics that were addressed throughout this novel including siblinghood and siblings as parents, coming of age and sexuality, homophobia (including both physically and psychologically violent ways), grief (and guilt over the lack of it), refugee/asylum seeking, and death (fairly traumatic, sibling deaths). While I felt that these were all addressed with accessibility for a YA audience, they were also addressed with straightforwardness and dimension, so please beware if any of this content could potentially be triggering for you to read. With all that in mind, the ending was perhaps a bit too “wrapped up in a bow,” emotionally, but it’s hard to not having been cheering for that kind of hopeful ending.
I loved the way that Marisol’s older sister perspective was written, as well as Gabi’s beginning-to-push-back younger sister characterization, that felt so accurate to me. And honestly the normality of that protectiveness/pushing boundaries that comes with youth and sibling interactions was a great “normal” background, bringing the more intense themes of loss and border-crossing and trauma into even sharper relief. I felt like the romance piece wasn’t super believable, not necessarily liked strained or trying too hard, but more like I never felt more than a friend vibe between Marisol and Ray. And really, I feel like their connection as friends could have played the same role in the story that the budding romance did. However, that being said, I did love the message that finding connection with others is critical for dealing with depression and grief. And I’m here for a sweet YA f/f love story situation.
This was a pretty fast read for me, interesting and well-paced. Although I feel like it was on the easier side for a YA read, writing-wise, the topics it addressed were clearly mature and handled well within the context of the story. Perhaps this isn’t a new all-time favorite read, but if it sounds at all like you’d be interested in it, I would definitely recommend picking it up.
“We believe in luck. The good kind and the cruel. The kind that graces and the kind that cripples. The kind that doesn’t care what you deserve.”
“People handle grief in different ways. It isn't the same for everyone. Some people can manage with help, and others lock themselves into grief. Still others become stronger by it. And it isn't only grief. It's trauma. [...] Victims of terrible assaults, soldiers who were damaged in body and in spirit. That's a kind of grief that is even more entrenched, when it is augmented by guilt and fear.”
“She’s been through the same thing that millions of other people have been through. What makes her pain more unbearable than anyone else’s?”
“But when you don’t have a good choice, you make a bad choice.”
“La Suerte isn’t only Mala. She is two-faced. How beautiful and balanced, how terrible and cruel La Suerte is.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Gun violence, Death, Violence, Homophobia, Medical content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Minor: Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail