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bibliosteph_'s review against another edition
dnf’d at 70%, not because it was bad — on the contrary it was very good. I love Lilly as a character. But I wasn’t ready for some parts of the story and I got too mad / sad / uncomfortable. I know it is supposed to make the reader feel that way, but I’m afraid it is too much for me at the moment. Too triggering for once. Maybe some day I’ll finish it, but I doubt it.
katybug25's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
arenick's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stephheartsbooks's review
4.0
Lilly Wolf is an 11 year old girl who is growing at a rapid rate. She's being hounded by press as well as doctors. Throughout it all, her only comfort is her best friend Rain. Her father James is desperate for a cure for his daughter and starts blaming himself. He feels as if he's done something in the past and karma is taking it out on his daughter.
This part of the book shows just how sorrowful James is: Rain, despite of her name, was nothing short of sunshine and James hoped she could do more than brighten Lilly's day. Was it too much to ask a tween Rain to replenish their atmosphere?
Without giving too much away, what I took from this short story is in the end, Lilly finds a place of acceptance and starts a new journey of finally being content.
This part of the book shows just how sorrowful James is: Rain, despite of her name, was nothing short of sunshine and James hoped she could do more than brighten Lilly's day. Was it too much to ask a tween Rain to replenish their atmosphere?
Without giving too much away, what I took from this short story is in the end, Lilly finds a place of acceptance and starts a new journey of finally being content.
melissafirman's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, and Sexual violence
melaniesreads's review
4.0
Oh what it is to be female. Joyous in the amazing things our bodies can do but also how we are so much more than the bodies that house our souls.
In this novella Zoje takes the current relevance of body autonomy and sexualisation/objectification of girls and twists the narrative into a dark fairytale with a very unique heroine. Lilly is only eleven but her body is growing and developing faster than what is normal. With her mother having died in childbirth her father has been her everything. Heartbreakingly she now sees the fear on his face.
As if puberty isn’t bad enough at least your peers are going through it too, but in Lilly’s case she is an anomaly. Luckily there is one person who is by her side come rain or shine. So how appropriate that her best friend’s name is Rain and she brings nothing but sunshine to Lilly’s world.
At points this is an uncomfortable read but it’s meant to be. It is showing how little control females have on aspects of themselves and their bodies. Part coming of age and part fairytale this is a book of wonder and in my hopes I see a future where all women outgrow the world we are living in. Never make yourself smaller is a motto for Lilly and for every girl out there.
In this novella Zoje takes the current relevance of body autonomy and sexualisation/objectification of girls and twists the narrative into a dark fairytale with a very unique heroine. Lilly is only eleven but her body is growing and developing faster than what is normal. With her mother having died in childbirth her father has been her everything. Heartbreakingly she now sees the fear on his face.
As if puberty isn’t bad enough at least your peers are going through it too, but in Lilly’s case she is an anomaly. Luckily there is one person who is by her side come rain or shine. So how appropriate that her best friend’s name is Rain and she brings nothing but sunshine to Lilly’s world.
At points this is an uncomfortable read but it’s meant to be. It is showing how little control females have on aspects of themselves and their bodies. Part coming of age and part fairytale this is a book of wonder and in my hopes I see a future where all women outgrow the world we are living in. Never make yourself smaller is a motto for Lilly and for every girl out there.
annmariereads's review
4.0
What a doozie of a novella! It’s got modern fable/Greek mythology vibes meets Dateline with a sprinkling of Moana. Now that’s a sentence I’ve never said before.
Heads up - rape and sexual assault
This is a small book about a wonderful, gigantic girl. Lilly, who is eleven year old, has started growing, but it’s waaay more than your average growing pains. Doctors are at a loss for what to do, as is her dad. Once they want to start riskier treatments, Lilly decides she must run away to figure out where she really belongs.
I’ve gotta say, this book surprised me in a good way. After reading (and immediately loving) our author’s other books like Baby Teeth and Getaway I was waiting for the creepiness to set in, but it never did. It’s super interesting to see this fantastic author writing in a different genre than usual.
Stage does a great job of taking the mental and physical anguish of puberty, but amping it up like whoa. It made me remember feeling like a stranger/swamp monster in my own body.
The best part of this book is the way it showcases the strength of friendship, the ones that really see us for who we are. That’s the good stuff.
I enjoyed this little book and am eternally grateful to @zoje.stage_author for sending an ARC my way and for personalizing it!
Heads up - rape and sexual assault
This is a small book about a wonderful, gigantic girl. Lilly, who is eleven year old, has started growing, but it’s waaay more than your average growing pains. Doctors are at a loss for what to do, as is her dad. Once they want to start riskier treatments, Lilly decides she must run away to figure out where she really belongs.
I’ve gotta say, this book surprised me in a good way. After reading (and immediately loving) our author’s other books like Baby Teeth and Getaway I was waiting for the creepiness to set in, but it never did. It’s super interesting to see this fantastic author writing in a different genre than usual.
Stage does a great job of taking the mental and physical anguish of puberty, but amping it up like whoa. It made me remember feeling like a stranger/swamp monster in my own body.
The best part of this book is the way it showcases the strength of friendship, the ones that really see us for who we are. That’s the good stuff.
I enjoyed this little book and am eternally grateful to @zoje.stage_author for sending an ARC my way and for personalizing it!