Reviews tagging 'Racial slurs'

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

216 reviews

k_fry's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Murder, Outing, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Self harm, Blood, Bullying, Deadnaming, Body shaming, Racial slurs, and Rape

perlastars's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring medium-paced

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

3.0

Fun twist of sci-fi and fantasy in a modern American setting, full of real-world hurts and ethical questions. It felt like I was watching an anime as I read it, which maybe made it a bit more fun for me. Definitely some major trigger warnings before going into this, but I think it’s worth the read if you like these genres and are open to a blend of them. 

I would have given a higher rating if it was a little smoother in the POV and character development, but I think some of the beauty in the book outshines that. Ending on a 3 star.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual violence

Moderate: Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Self harm, and Deadnaming

ngrant88's review against another edition

Poorly developed characters and relationships, way too much plot without anything actually happening, POV changes mid paragraph and EVERY TRIGGER WARNING there is. This could have been a good book if someone else wrote it (and removed several plot lines).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Child abuse, Outing, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Transphobia, War, Self harm, Adult/minor relationship, Deadnaming, and Sexual violence

anna_fangirling's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

This is easily one of my favorite books I have read. From the prose-like writing Aoki uses, to the clear passion put into every aspect of this story, readers are taken on a journey truly out of this world. I simultaneously wanted to devour it and never wanted it to end. Light From Uncommon Stars is different from any other book I’ve read in many aspects; pacing, writing style, formatting. It took a bit to get used to however it did not take away from my enjoyment or understanding of the book. The representation of various marginalized communities, the exploration of what life is, deep extensive knowledge of the music world and violins, all wrapped together in pages and a cover.

Throughout the story we get thought provoking questions through and from the characters. Aoki writes all of the characters with depth, soul (hehe), and life that they felt so real. Truly mesmerized by the writing. I laughed, I cried, I wrote down quotes that just hit hard. Just as Katrina’s music made people feel, so did Aoki’s writing. I hope more people read this book

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racial slurs, Child abuse, Deadnaming, and Sexual assault

Minor: Rape

laguerrelewis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

“When two violins are placed in a room if a chord on one violin is struck
the other violin will sound the note”
—Say Yes, Andrea Gibson

Light From Uncommon Stars is difficult to distill. A plot synopsis often leaves your audience thinking “how does that fit together?” This is actually Stars’ greatest strength—it contains multitudes, and its insight is fathomless. Like Gibson says in the poem quoted above, Ryka Aoki is able to play the exact chords that resonate and sound in the reader. The result is a moving and incredibly affecting story of legacy, love, connection, community, mistakes, the condition of being alive, and the connective power of music and donuts. These words will stay with me for years to come. Keep tissues on hand, and do not read this book hungry.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Violence, Misogyny, Blood, Death, Dysphoria, Sexual content, War, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexism, Outing, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, and Medical content

antlerlad's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Racism, Sexual harassment, and Racial slurs

scmiller's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Dysphoria, Body shaming, Transphobia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Racism, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Rape, Blood, Grief, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, and Murder

Minor: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, and Gore

apollo0325's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

This book still fucking SLAPS so hard. Beautiful writing, elegant prose, excellent characters and setting, and magical and donut-y world building. Caution: look into trigger warnings, but if you’re able to handle it, PLEASE read this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Dysphoria, Outing, Transphobia, Bullying, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, and Homophobia

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Deadnaming, Rape, Violence, Body shaming, and Self harm

Minor: War

torilaird's review

challenging emotional tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

The transphobia in this book is extreme. Please use caution when reading. This books is described as joyful but the only joy is in the last few pages of this book. Do not read this if you’re seeking stories about trans joy. Contains detailed descriptions of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. 

Representation: trans

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Transphobia, and Sexual assault

sirvex27's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, and Transphobia

Moderate: Racism and Sexual violence

Minor: Racial slurs, Sexism, War, Physical abuse, and Deadnaming