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bookishperseus's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Grief, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Bullying, Child death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Homophobia, Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Hate crime, Transphobia, Mental illness, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit
nicolesbookcase's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
Under Shifting Stars follows twins Audrey and Clare in their struggles with grief, shifting family dynamics, and self-discovery, in an uplifting and emotional story about being yourself, no matter what.
The alternative perspectives, jumping between Clare and Audrey, throughout the book gave this story so much depth, allowing us to get the story from both sides. Although very different from each other and having grown apart because of this and the wrenching heartbreak of losing their brother, Clare and Audrey are actually going through very comparable struggles in learning to be themselves, despite the pressure not to be. These characters felt very true-to-life, and I feel that the representation in this book was done so well.
This is a very character-driven story, but the plotlines moved the story along well enough to keep me interested.
Overall, this was a good read and felt very representative of what it's like to be a teenager and having to figure out who you want to be. The narrative felt very young, but if I had read this in junior high or high school, it probably would have been a favorite. The comparison to Jandy Nelson's books is spot-on, which is why I picked up this book in the first place. Definitely worth a read!
The alternative perspectives, jumping between Clare and Audrey, throughout the book gave this story so much depth, allowing us to get the story from both sides. Although very different from each other and having grown apart because of this and the wrenching heartbreak of losing their brother, Clare and Audrey are actually going through very comparable struggles in learning to be themselves, despite the pressure not to be. These characters felt very true-to-life, and I feel that the representation in this book was done so well.
This is a very character-driven story, but the plotlines moved the story along well enough to keep me interested.
Overall, this was a good read and felt very representative of what it's like to be a teenager and having to figure out who you want to be. The narrative felt very young, but if I had read this in junior high or high school, it probably would have been a favorite. The comparison to Jandy Nelson's books is spot-on, which is why I picked up this book in the first place. Definitely worth a read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Bullying
infairveronaa's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Under Shifting Stars is a lovely coming of age story of dealing with grief, family and identity.
From Clare's discovery and acceptance of her gender fluidity to Audrey's acceptance that she's perfect just as neurodivergent as she is without changing for anyone, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the ultimate way the family came together post-natural disaster less than a year after they all lost a brother/son.
Usually with books that switch viewpoints between chapters I get more into one character over another. As in when the more interesting character's POV is over I get antsy and slightly disappointed that we have to switch over. And honestly I did get tad more invested in Clare's POV than Audrey's but I was never disappointed when it was Audrey's turn either. Latos fleshed out both these characters very well and I would love to read more by this author.
Additional CW: teens are the worst
From Clare's discovery and acceptance of her gender fluidity to Audrey's acceptance that she's perfect just as neurodivergent as she is without changing for anyone, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the ultimate way the family came together post-natural disaster less than a year after they all lost a brother/son.
Usually with books that switch viewpoints between chapters I get more into one character over another. As in when the more interesting character's POV is over I get antsy and slightly disappointed that we have to switch over. And honestly I did get tad more invested in Clare's POV than Audrey's but I was never disappointed when it was Audrey's turn either. Latos fleshed out both these characters very well and I would love to read more by this author.
Additional CW: teens are the worst
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying and Homophobia
danileah07's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Grief
reading_rainbows's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Car accident
I loved the back and forth between twins Audrey and Claire's perspectives. Neurodivergent and gender questioning and the assumptions we make about people.walrus420's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Death, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Car accident, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Infertility, Transphobia, and Bullying
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