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jhazen's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book because it was challenged by a parent and i was on the reconsideration committee. So glad! It’s a wonderful romance. The characters are endearing and make you want to read more. I’m hoping that there are spin off novels for the other characters. The romance between Mat and Jules is sweet, but, to me, the real stories are the friendships. If you’re looking for a heartwarming story with a little strife, read this one.
gracedwithbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I don't cry while reading books. I feel emotions deeply, but I am not a big crier when I read.
So when I say I was bawling my eyes out while reading this, it is a big deal.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun was a poignant LGBT coming of age novel that follows Julián, who has been suffocating under the expectations of others, pushing down his true self. When one reckless moment results in him suddenly coming out, Julián's life immediately gets more complicated. Luckily, he has an amazing Twitter friend/crush, Mat, who slid into Julián's DMs.
This book was heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny, and sad. I loved watching Julián with his friends as they helped him through some of the toughest things queer teens face. I also loved watching Mat and Julián's relationship develop, despite being fifteen hundred miles away from one another.
If you want to read something that pulls at every one of your heartstrings, I implore you to pick up this book. You will not regret it.
trigger warnings: past & present parental abuse, physical abuse (chapter 14 & 28), homophobia, outing, mc gets kicked out
So when I say I was bawling my eyes out while reading this, it is a big deal.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun was a poignant LGBT coming of age novel that follows Julián, who has been suffocating under the expectations of others, pushing down his true self. When one reckless moment results in him suddenly coming out, Julián's life immediately gets more complicated. Luckily, he has an amazing Twitter friend/crush, Mat, who slid into Julián's DMs.
This book was heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny, and sad. I loved watching Julián with his friends as they helped him through some of the toughest things queer teens face. I also loved watching Mat and Julián's relationship develop, despite being fifteen hundred miles away from one another.
If you want to read something that pulls at every one of your heartstrings, I implore you to pick up this book. You will not regret it.
trigger warnings: past & present parental abuse, physical abuse (chapter 14 & 28), homophobia, outing, mc gets kicked out
read_withzo's review against another edition
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I wish there were books like when I was younger. Julián (Jules) was inside the closet and then came out. I hate that his dad kicked him out because of Jules being gay. I am so happy that Jules older sister Xo was there for him. I love Jules friends ground so much. I love how supportive they were and how they were always there for him. I also loved Jules and Mat relationship. Jules and Mat were in a long distance relationship until the very end of the book.
Favorite Quote:
“You’re my moonlight, Julián Luna. A brightness in the dark. I knew if I kept trying, one day I’d reach out and you’d be there. You’d be here.”
“Then you’re my sunshine, Mặt Trời Pham. Since the day I met you, when I would wake up feeling scared, anxious, or alone, you’ve been my warmth and clarity. I’m lucky you found me.” “I’m lucky you finally allowed yourself to be seen.”
“You’re my Moonlight, Jules Luna. Always.”
I LOVED THIS BOOK! I wish there were books like when I was younger. Julián (Jules) was inside the closet and then came out. I hate that his dad kicked him out because of Jules being gay. I am so happy that Jules older sister Xo was there for him. I love Jules friends ground so much. I love how supportive they were and how they were always there for him. I also loved Jules and Mat relationship. Jules and Mat were in a long distance relationship until the very end of the book.
Favorite Quote:
“You’re my moonlight, Julián Luna. A brightness in the dark. I knew if I kept trying, one day I’d reach out and you’d be there. You’d be here.”
“Then you’re my sunshine, Mặt Trời Pham. Since the day I met you, when I would wake up feeling scared, anxious, or alone, you’ve been my warmth and clarity. I’m lucky you found me.” “I’m lucky you finally allowed yourself to be seen.”
“You’re my Moonlight, Jules Luna. Always.”
kelliemw's review against another edition
5.0
As soon as I read the message from the author I knew I would cry more than once reading this. Sure enough at least 4 intense moments of crying along with plenty of tearing up.
This book shows so much hope and happiness along with the harsh reality that people have to go through every day. Julián deserves every ounce of love he got in this story. I could only hope for a “X years later” to see where his little found family was.
This book shows so much hope and happiness along with the harsh reality that people have to go through every day. Julián deserves every ounce of love he got in this story. I could only hope for a “X years later” to see where his little found family was.
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
4.0
When I read Ander and Santi Were Here this summer, I was so captivated. This one is not quite as charming and engrossing, but I still loved it. Really fantastic characters, sweet queer romance, heavy themes (see content warnings), happy endings. Can't wait for their upcoming release in 2024, I'm jumping on it immediately when it's released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism, Child abuse, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Violence, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Bullying
atlasviro's review against another edition
4.0
GRAB ME THE TISSUES.
the first half of this book was a little boring, which was why I took off a star. It wasn't bad, just not much happened until something HAPPENED. although this was a great read it felt like something was missing when i finished it due to not much happening at the start. however, max and jules have so much chemistry and they are so cute I literally dsjhfksgh.
[b:Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun|55144174|Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun|Jonny Garza Villa|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1612262882l/55144174._SY75_.jpg|81129680] has heavy themes surrounding sexuality, yet it still balances out the bad with the good. i feel like every member of the LGBTQ+ community should read this book. it helped me feel seen
the way that Jules deals with applying/getting into college was so raw, it felt like a real high school experience, rather than an author trying to "get" teenagers. overall, it was a great and refreshing read :)
the first half of this book was a little boring, which was why I took off a star. It wasn't bad, just not much happened until something HAPPENED. although this was a great read it felt like something was missing when i finished it due to not much happening at the start. however, max and jules have so much chemistry and they are so cute I literally dsjhfksgh.
[b:Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun|55144174|Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun|Jonny Garza Villa|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1612262882l/55144174._SY75_.jpg|81129680] has heavy themes surrounding sexuality, yet it still balances out the bad with the good. i feel like every member of the LGBTQ+ community should read this book. it helped me feel seen
the way that Jules deals with applying/getting into college was so raw, it felt like a real high school experience, rather than an author trying to "get" teenagers. overall, it was a great and refreshing read :)
juusosalmi_'s review against another edition
3.0
Content Warnings: outing, homophobia, parental abuse
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa follows Julián Luna, a queer Mexican-American teen living with his abusive father in Texas. The events of this book kick off when Julián accidentally outs himself on a drunken night. This turns his life completely, with getting kicked out but with also experiencing his first true love with Mat, whom he met through Twitter.
The characters of this book were quite nice but I'm not sure if all of them were fully fleshed-out. On one sentence, the book underlined the flaws of Julián's friends and on the next it tried to tell us how his friends were absolutely perfect and he never doubted them. This was especially an issue in the first third of the book but after that I found the friendgroup to be described in a linear way.
At times this book did have gorgeous storytelling and very poignant sentences that kept me on my toes, but for the most part the writing was pretty mediocre and exactly what you would expect from YA romance books (I'm pretty certain, there was one sentence about Julián letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.)
One of the most distracting things about this book, was the random Spanish phrases throughout the book. As the author stated, this book was mainly meant for Latinx readers, but as someone who isn't Latinx, the random phrases and words stopped the reading flow. In some cases, the meaning of the phrases and words was quite clear with the context but this wasn't the case with all of the instances. I don't know any Spanish and I was way too lazy to pick up a translator so I just skipped ignored most of the Spanish stuff.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa follows Julián Luna, a queer Mexican-American teen living with his abusive father in Texas. The events of this book kick off when Julián accidentally outs himself on a drunken night. This turns his life completely, with getting kicked out but with also experiencing his first true love with Mat, whom he met through Twitter.
The characters of this book were quite nice but I'm not sure if all of them were fully fleshed-out. On one sentence, the book underlined the flaws of Julián's friends and on the next it tried to tell us how his friends were absolutely perfect and he never doubted them. This was especially an issue in the first third of the book but after that I found the friendgroup to be described in a linear way.
At times this book did have gorgeous storytelling and very poignant sentences that kept me on my toes, but for the most part the writing was pretty mediocre and exactly what you would expect from YA romance books (I'm pretty certain, there was one sentence about Julián letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding.)
One of the most distracting things about this book, was the random Spanish phrases throughout the book. As the author stated, this book was mainly meant for Latinx readers, but as someone who isn't Latinx, the random phrases and words stopped the reading flow. In some cases, the meaning of the phrases and words was quite clear with the context but this wasn't the case with all of the instances. I don't know any Spanish and I was way too lazy to pick up a translator so I just skipped ignored most of the Spanish stuff.
scott_thelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful story about coming out, finding your found family, and overcoming the obstacles and hardships that the universe throws at you.
kimelhyung's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0