Reviews tagging 'Death'

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

6 reviews

sglance9's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Murder, and Racism

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

literarycavy's review

dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Sexual assault

grimdark_dad's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abandonment, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Grief, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Religious bigotry

imstephtacular's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, and Cursing

Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Bullying, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Homophobia, Body horror, Xenophobia, and Blood

Minor: Physical abuse, Vomit, Drug use, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Grief, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and War

booksmellers's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

 One of my favorite subgenres that's gained traction in the past few years is queer genre YA that tackles difficult topics such as religious trauma and colonialism head on---books like H. E. Edgmon's The Witch King, Andrew Joseph White's Hell Followed With Us, Vincent Tirado's Burn Down, Rise Up, etc. Into the Light is a wonderful new addition to this category.

I fully believe that the most difficult books are some of the most worthwhile ones, and this is especially true of this book. Oshiro does not shy away from showing the traumatic elements of Manny's life (please check content warnings) and they do it in the most heart-wrenching but beautifully healing way. The writing is beautiful and really relatable, even though the characters are in situations I've never been in. It's clear that this is an issue close to Oshiro's heart and they write about it with such compassion. Manny is a complicated character but it's hard not to fall in love with him.

There are some supernatural/fantasyesque aspects to this novel but I don't think it takes away from the realism the story presents. The supernatural elements serve as an interesting form of symbolism that I think is unique and weird in a really cool way. It definitely kept me on my toes.

I devoured this story, and it's an absolutely important one so I highly recommend.

Thank you, NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Racism, Murder, Death, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Colonisation, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Mental illness, Abortion, and Deportation

caseythereader's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

Thanks to Tor Teen for the free advance copy of this book.

 - Wow, fans of teen thrillers, you must get your hands on INTO THE LIGHT. This book is heart pounding, page turning, gut punching.
- The subject matter of the book is very difficult, but the light supernatural element here is a fantastic way to address how queer kids and kids of color are often quickly cast aside in the real world.
- Amid the mystery, Oshiro also builds a beautiful found family story. None of them are perfect people, and yet they are committed to doing better and to helping each other survive and grow. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Abandonment, Child death, Death, Murder, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Abortion, Sexual content, and Sexual violence