Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki

53 reviews

fretsandflour's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

2.0

I really wanted to like this book but I almost DNF’ed it a few times. Two stars simply because I had to know how the story wrapped up. That said, the ending was seriously unsatisfying. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Sexism

yggie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This was such a painful book - in a good way, in a true way, but wow. I did see the hope, I did see the love, I did see the ‘growing into yourself, becoming strong and confident’ thing, but I can’t shake the pain. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a good thing.

The pain is not what made me go for just three stars. I’ve seen people complain about the switches in pov but those felt natural to me, I only got confused once and that was on me. The truth is, I got tired of reading about donuts. Donuts and chicken and duck and tea, it never ended and it didn’t add much for me. Also, Windee made me cringe every time she entered the narrative. Terrible character. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Transphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence

teo_rodas's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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 book left me in utter despair, immediate favorite. So incredibly beautiful. So unspeakably human. So resounding and comforting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, War, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Misogyny, Deadnaming, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Rape, Sexism, and Self harm

mazomazli's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

This is a beautiful book discussing a lot of very very heavy topics while also having vivid depictions of LA, super emotional violin music that it feels like you could hear it (do check out author’s playlist!), and deep relationships I couldn’t get enough of. All of three main characters are amazing and I cared deeply for them. The TWs are not to be taken lightly !!! Seriously!!! I do feel like they were all handled with with so much and love and care. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, Child abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Outing, Deadnaming, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Sexism

Moderate: Xenophobia, Self harm, War, and Homophobia

laurareads87's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

Light from Uncommon Stars follows three characters: Katrina, a young Asian-American trans woman who is a skilled violinist, Shizuka Satomi, a violin teacher who must deliver one more soul to a demon in exchange for her own, and Captain Lan Tran, a starship captain turned donut shop proprietor.  It is a true combination of science fiction and fantasy -- blending plotlines following alien species with deals with the devil and curses and more.  As a result, it has a <i>lot</i> going on: describing the different story lines, it feels like it should feel muddled but somehow it doesn't -- it really works.  Aoki's writing is evocative -- the food! the music! the settings! -- and the book manages to address a wide range of serious themes, including horrible & traumatic experiences of oppression and violence, while somehow having an overall tone that is predominantly gentle and tender rather than heavy while also definitely not trivializing or making light of the serious subject matter in any way: this is really, really well done.  I look forward to reading more from Ryka Aoki in the future!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Rape, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Homophobia, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Alcoholism, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse

onemamareads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/light-from-uncommon-stars

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, Self harm, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicide, Gun violence, and Violence

Minor: War

bi_n_large's review

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Racism, and Homophobia

Moderate: Death, Sexism, Blood, War, and Child death

upperjackpain's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Outing, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Murder

Moderate: Death, Deadnaming, Sexism, and Self harm

lucystolethesky's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny reflective slow-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia, Racism, Homophobia, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexism, Sexual content, and Rape

Minor: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

beforeviolets's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

TWs:
non-consensual sexual content (two instances: onscreen, not graphic, easily skippable [p. 49-50]; incestuous, offscreen, easily skippable [p. 181]), sexual harassment/assault (onscreen, brief, [p.333]), consensual sexual content (onscreen, brief), sex work, fetishization of Asian women and trans women, violence, domestic abuse (parental, physical and emotional /spousal, mention), injury from abuse, child abuse, trauma, transphobia (internalized, external, t-slur, misgendering, deadnaming), severe dysphoria, homophobia/lesbophobia (f-slur, d-slur), racism (specifically towards East Asian individuals, g-slur, c-slur [indirectly used]), self harm (offscreen, graphic mention [p. 177-179]), blood, abusive living environment, religious bigotry, use of the r-slur, sexism, death (mention), war, gaslighting (external and internal), outing, cancer (mention), fire (brief), anxiety, vomit (mention)

This book was GOING to be a 4.5 until I read the spent the 50 pages in absolute tears. 

Light From Uncommon Stars is a gorgeous tale about learning to believe in your own worth in the face of a world that tells you that you’re worthless. It’s about the importance of a life, no matter how “damaged.” It’s about fame, motherhood, and the necessity of having a voice. 

Aoki showcases resiliency through her protagonists, all reminiscent of phoenixes rising from the ashes and being reborn into a new life, into a new home, or even into a new family.  She sends a beautiful message to readers that no matter how hard your past or how lost or isolated one might feel, there is always hope in a friendly smile, a kind word, or a helping hand. All of the characters have a history of so much pain and fear and despite all of that, they are able to save themselves, often with the help of others, and stand up for their own happiness or the happiness of their loved ones.

But I think my favorite part of this book is how it constantly and beautifully illustrates the the transportive and the transformative magic of something loved, whether it be a piece of music, a video game, or even a donut. The way something, when made with care and passion, can feel like home. Though the story itself is ouchie, the message and the overall tone is one of comfort, like someone is sitting you down with a nice cup of tea and giving you a warm hug, one you didn’t even know you needed.

Gorgeous melodic writing, powerful and brilliant characters, the incredible ability to seamlessly switch POVs mid chapter or even mid paragraph, this story is one to be cherished and celebrated. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Transphobia, Racism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Self harm, Deadnaming, Racial slurs, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape, Incest, Sexual content, Sexism, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Death, War, Gaslighting, Outing, and Blood

Minor: Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, and Vomit