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bree_h_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Transphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Violence, Child death, Dysphoria, Racism, Classism, and Murder
Minor: Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cultural appropriation, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, Deportation, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Gun violence, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Outing
zydecovivo's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Transphobia, Kidnapping, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Death of parent, Bullying, Violence, Outing, Deportation, Dysphoria, and Deadnaming
Minor: Animal cruelty
birdieex's review
- 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
I fell in love with Yadriel and Julian a soon as they appeared on the page and I highlighted so many quotes the made me laugh. The characters are so strong and I was so absorbed in the world that I had trouble wanting to put the book down.
As a trans adult who was that trans teen fighting for their identity to be seen, that aspect affected me deeply. It was hard to see Yadriel's struggle since I related so much, but it was so beautifully written.
One of my favorite books by far! Can't wait to read more!
Graphic: Child death, Dysphoria, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Outing, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Death of parent, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Deportation, Police brutality, Violence, Animal cruelty, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Cultural appropriation, Car accident, Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Women are discouraged from a certain job in the community.rieviolet's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
I felt like the beginning and the end of the story were stronger and more memorable, whereas the middle part was a bit slow and, to be honest, I remember very little of what happened, it all kind of blurred together.
I really liked the representation of the trans experience thorugh the character of Yadriel. We got to see the big and more evident aspects of it, but also the little and everyday details.
I appreciated the cultural elements, as well as their more fantastical re-imagination; though I think maybe at times the author verged into overexplanation. I also liked the interspersed sentences and expressions in Spanish.
I wasn't quite sold at the beginning on the romance but, as the story progressed, it got better and I'm not ashamed to say that
Graphic: Blood, Death, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Kidnapping, Gore, Child death, Religious bigotry, Murder, Dysphoria, Child abuse, Deadnaming, and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Drug use, Cultural appropriation, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Bullying, Classism, Deportation, Homophobia, Animal cruelty, Self harm, and Torture
gemstonejasper's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Death, Murder, Transphobia, and Torture
Minor: Deadnaming, Blood, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, and Deportation
scrb_oodle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Death of parent, Violence, Transphobia, Death, and Child death
Minor: Animal cruelty and Deadnaming
alequitos's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Deadnaming, Transphobia, and Blood
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
sanchan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
At some point I felt like if this story was set in Vietnam, Serbia or Namibia, there wouldn't be as much non-english dialogue as when something happens in a country with a 'popular' language.
The author described his initial thought to be 'What if you summoned that ghost and he wouldn't leave you alone anymore?', and yes, this is pretty much the perfect summary.
Yadriel, a trans-teenager, is trying to prove himself worthy to step into the family tradition and becoming a brujo (a 'male witch'). That wish alone makes him an outcast in his fathers eyes, who denies Yadriel his ceremony.
In the dark of the night, Yadriel and his best friend perform the ritual themselves - and accidentally summon the ghost of a teenager soon after, while searching for their missing cousin. What happened to the boy, and why are they unable to find their cousin?
Getting over the initial cultural and language barrier, the story is a cute, heartfelt tale of family, identity, friendship and culture.
I liked the characters, who were consistent, well structured and developed well within the setting of the plot.
Speaking Spanish is a huge plus for reading this book, but be sure that patience is rewarded no matter your language knowledge.
Minor: Animal cruelty
merah's review
- 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
I felt every single emotion while reading this book.
Graphic: Abandonment, Racism, Transphobia, Body horror, Child death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Medical content, Blood, Death, Murder, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Body horror, Deportation, Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Dysphoria
Minor: Car accident, Confinement, Alcohol, Cancer, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, Classism, Cultural appropriation, and Deadnaming
loads of knives, blades, cuts and stabbingslynxpardinus's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Grief, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Suicide, Deadnaming, Self harm, Torture, Bullying, Classism, and Racism
Minor: Abandonment, Car accident, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Deportation, Gun violence, Outing, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts