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mirandyli's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
cowardlyteaman's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I'll be completely honest, and say that the first half of the book was rather uninteresting. The action didn't start until the last hundred pages of the book, but there was definitely potential for more action earlier on as well, to make it more exciting. There was a lot of identity issues and character dialogue during the first half of the book, which is by no means irrelevant to the plot, but to me it got dull.
I also wish that Yadriel had been given a more distinct personality. Julian was exceptional, Maritza was amazing, Catriz was fabulous, but Yadriel...? He deserved more than being a pretty standard protagonist-y type. Apart from being trans, he doesn't stand out as a protagonist at all, and being trans shouldn't be what makes him special. At least the trans people I know have personalities beside being trans.
However! I loved how Spanish was used in this book. Usually, non-English words will be written in cursive, alienating them, as it were. But here they're kind of just woven into the text as any other word, because of course Spanish isn't foreign at all to the narrator, and it makes it easier for me as a reader to relate as well, despite being the from the whitest of corners in Norway.
This applies to the rest of the culture references as well. It was all explained in a very nice way.
On a side note concerning the identity and language here: Why was there one line where author Thomas wrote «Latinx mom»? If the gender was unspecified, it would've made perfect sense, but if it's given that she's a mom, then wouldn't she be Latina...? As far as I know, you wouldn't really have a Latino mom? Maybe a Latino's mom, but... unless I misinterpreted, that wasn't the case.
Anyways, I've given my opinion, but I still enjoyed the read. Frankly quite predictable, but aren't all stories these days.
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, Murder, and Dysphoria
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Deadnaming, Abandonment, Alcohol, Classism, and Deportation
corvid_archivist's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Death
Minor: Animal death, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
alequitos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
mle11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Deadnaming, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Transphobia, Blood, Kidnapping, and Dysphoria
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Deportation
jackie_marion's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
wrappingpaper's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I liked the use of Spanish and I absolutely adored Julian’s character.
I also loved the lgbt rep in this story and the (spoiler) ending with the dad accepting him was really sweet. I would recommend this book however if it feels like it’s dragging at first don’t worry because i felt that and it does get better.
Good cute read that touches on important topics and will leave you smiling!!
Graphic: Transphobia, Blood, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death, Deadnaming, and Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
melist6's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexism, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Murder, Dysphoria, and Deportation
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, and Deadnaming
aerietta's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: Bullying, Transphobia, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Car accident, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
triley's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Deadnaming, and Death of parent