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gothic_moss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
As a queer person, I found this book very similar to my experiences. The way themes of identity and girlhood were tackled felt very genuine and raw, which I resonated with a lot. My one critique is that a lot of the characters were based upon stereotypes, but they weren't upsetting or rude.
Loved the character index at the end as well! I love a good mythology re-telling!
(Check TW before reading!!!)
Graphic: Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Medical content, Outing, Deadnaming, and Transphobia
Moderate: Vomit and Torture
Minor: Suicide attempt and Abandonment
dopestitches's review
3.5
Graphic: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt
teniamonet'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? It's complicated
4.5
“You were supposed to be my second chance”
This was such a heart wrenching and emotional listen that left me with a heavy feeling in my chest. Orpheus Girl is supposed to be a modern retelling of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. I don’t think there’s any real comparison here but Raya’s obsession with Greek mythology was definitely a way for her to cope with her life.
“You know, the thing about family is that you can choose it. And I choose you.”
Graphic: Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Outing, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Car accident, and Deadnaming
apollo0325's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
With every action they make to take away your rights, they adopt an air of phony shame, as if they actually cared about the consequences of their beliefs.
This book was absolutely heart-wrenching, and the fact it was/is the reality of queer kids is even worse. Despite the best efforts, people still think queers are an illness, something that can be ‘cured’ when this is who we are. So many drape their homophobia with religion too.
This book is H E A V Y and even so, it’s an understatement. It’s important but difficult and necessary to have queer books centered on subject matter like this. Every queer story doesn’t end in a happily ever after.
Framing it within Greek mythology adds another layer of interest and way to connect to Raya’s journey. It also felt like a coping mechanism for Raya which is a common trend among queers (shout out to my PJO queers, ayyy).
My only critique of this book is the lack of understanding of time passing. It feels like SO MUCH has happened but then Raya mentions being dropped off four days ago? It felt a bit unclear. Then again, this may have been an intentional choice by the author to show even Raya has no concept of time and self in the latter half of the book.
Lastly, I implore anyone wanting to read this book to PLEASE LOOK AT TRIGGER WARNINGS. This book does not fuck around. For real.
“You know, the thing about family is that you can choose it. And I choose you.”
Moderate: Blood, Biphobia, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Torture, Violence, Hate crime, Dysphoria, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Transphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Physical abuse, Outing, Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
Note for sexual harassment tag: the kids forced to go to the conversion camp are also forced to watch content of boys kissing boys or girls kissing girls or near sexual experiences between the same sexes. Nothing is explicitly detailed but it is mentioned. I didn’t know which tag to choose so I chose that one.thatchickengirl23's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Outing, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Car accident, Suicide, Self harm, Abandonment, Medical content, Medical trauma, Torture, Blood, and Deadnaming
maisiemoo'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? It's complicated
3.25
This book succeeds in portraying the horrifying reality of conversion therapy and made me feel so appreciative of the support network I’ve had since coming out, because not everyone is that fortunate.
I really thought that there would be more parallels to mythology in terms of the plot. I felt like the metaphors could have been taken further, but that’s just my personal opinion.
I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style of the author, but I found the overall plot very hard-hitting. It was a difficult read, and I’d urge people to take care when reading.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Vomit, Abandonment, Biphobia, Blood, Body horror, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Outing, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Torture, Transphobia, and Violence
biggreensnek'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
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Hate crime, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, and Outing
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Dysphoria, Alcohol, Blood, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Alcoholism, Car accident, Deadnaming, Vomit, and Self harm
alilovesbooks4170's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Ableism, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, and Forced institutionalization
rorireads_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I appreciated a lot of things about this book. The length meant it was quick to get through, and I fully believe I couldn’t have read any more.
The writing was exquisite. I connected with down-to-earth Raya and her simple narration style. A story like this being encased within purple prose would have only deterred me, and covered up the incredibly important subject matter.
However, this book presented this very black and white idea of queerness- gay, trans, or lesbian. And the one and only trans character we meet is a ‘scapegoat’ (I use that VERY LOOSELY) and is used to further the characters into their journeys.
All of the characters, in the time we knew them, felt very boiled down to their identities, which, in a way may be the point, but… I don’t know but characterisation could have been handled better.
All in all, Orpheus Girl is a deeply impactful story, and one that is wholly necessary.
Graphic: Outing, Transphobia, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Deadnaming, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Abandonment
asiamd'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
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Torture, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Medical trauma, Deadnaming, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Suicide attempt