Take a photo of a barcode or cover
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While it is great that this book seeks to cover heavy topics in this coming of age novel, it is overall very slow paced and a bit disconjointed/rushed in places throughout the storyline.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this book. The cover and the title drew me in. I'm not Mexican but I am a first-generation oldest daughter born to two parents who immigrated from South America to the United States. However - in spite of learning later on why Julia acts the way she does || depression mostly|| I wasn't sure why the author made her seem so unlikeable. Her flaws are clearly full-on display from the beginning and while I understand her mother was controlling - there was only so much I could take before I had to stop myself from lashing out at a fictional character. I had to remind myself that she wasn't in her late twenties like I was - she's 16/17 throughout the book. I did appreciate though that ||therapy|| was something Julia went through. I a lot of Latino parents, unfortunately, grew up in a generation where their mental health wasn't seen as a priority and it shows when they raise their children. It's important for both parents and kids to realize that resources are different now compared to back in the 1950's/60/70's. Having emotions, feelings, and wanting to have their own opinions is not a sign of disrespect towards those that raise us. There's a lot more that I wanted to add but if I think of anything else - I will edit this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder