Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Light from Uncommon Stars

Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

175 reviews

readingpicnic's review against another edition

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

What an incredible book! I was so nervous to read this for a while since it's sci-fi, but that's honestly not the genre of most of the story, so it wasn't hard to understand at all. The writing was incredible, the story had a very satisfying conclusion, and I loved the use of many different perspectives throughout the story, even if we didn't get to stick with some of them too often. I do wish that I had gotten to read more of Tamiko's perspective since she was very interesting and was set up as if she was going to play a major part in the plot, but that kind of fizzled out until the very end of the book when she was briefly mentioned by another character. I would have liked to stick with her perspective a little more because her obsession with Shizuka and creepy way of thinking about her was really attention-grabbing. I also wish I had gotten more of Markus' story, as I found myself questioning why he was in the story at all if he was going to be

put in a stasis and never return as a character. I wish I understood his actions and motivations a bit more before he vanished from the book. I understand that he gave more context on the Empire and the EndPlague, but his character seemed to be very expendable to the story other than that.

I really liked the trans rep in this story with Katrina, and I especially liked how she discussed transition with Shirley in her decision to not alter her body, as well as how she came to love her visibly trans body as the story went on. It didn't emphasize medical transition as necessary to being a trans woman or being trans at all, and I liked how it challenged Shirley's way of thinking of transness, even if she was trying to be helpful. I loved Katrina so much though, and she was definitely my favorite character that I was always rooting for. Shizuka is a little questionable with her actions to me, so I'm still not sure how I feel about her...but she's a complex character for sure and meant to invoke that reaction from the reader, I suppose.

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eadonn's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

3.75

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emmambles's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.5

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swashbuckling_mathematician's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

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agentmozell's review

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hopeful inspiring reflective

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

4.0

I had to take a bit after finishing the book before I could rate this.

Before I get into the story I listened to it as an audiobook and I did not care for the narrator. They were very soft spoken and breathy and they made it hard to listen to. I also think this would be best as a physical read because the POVs jump around a lot and sometimes it would be like wait “I’m in Shizuka’s POV now? No wait, Lan?” With no warning either.

Now for the story.

This made me so emotional in a lot of ways. I felt myself in tune with the characters as we learned more and more about them. This I would certainly classify as a bittersweet, everyone got their happiest ending sort.

The struggles of being trans is real, while most like to say they’re supportive it’s not always that easy. The creepiness (from perverts) and double standards that come along with being trans was executed well I think. The struggles Katrina faced were so real that it could be uncomfortable for others to read about.

Shizuka I wasn’t sure at first, but as we learned more about her and her trauma I fell in love with her more and more and got so stressed and sad about her potential ending.

Lan’s was hard to like and relate to at first (I mean she’s an alien), but now I’m just rooting for her and her newfound mission.

This was a great blend of sci-fi and fantasy that made me want donuts. I hope there’s a sequel or side story to tie up some open ends.

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turrean's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

4.0

I finished the book not quite clear on how the resolution was achieved. Is hell a place? A force that can be evaded once you’re off the planet? I thought the references to the video game NetherTale implied rescue for all the lost students, not just Katrina and Shizuka. What will happen to Shizuka’s soul when she dies? Is there an afterlife if you die off Earth?

Music is a largely a closed book (uh, unheard song? Unplayed melody?) to me, and so its role in destruction and salvation was mystifying to me.

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