A review by armontheroad
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa

challenging dark reflective tense slow-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

2.0

The pop culture references made this age like milk in the summer sun.

I didn't feel any chemistry between Jules and Mat. They both keep secrets from each other, embarrass one another, expect SO much from each other and yet we're supposed to think their relationship is cute goals?? I fear it was an issue with the writing. There's so much telling that Mat and Jules love each other, but there's not much in the writing to show that. Their first time was also strange. The whole emphasis of everyone
pushing them to do it and then embarrassing them about it afterwards was so weird. Especially since they immediately do it and then have a conversation about breaking up?? Yall didn't think to have that conversation before having sex for the first time??

I know we are supposed to love Jules' friend group- and they for sure grow on me- I didn't like Jules coming out because his friends were literally forcing alcohol down his throat!! Weirdo behavior, honestly.

The entire abusive father storyline was so hard to read.

Overall, I think this book reads like a debut. Which it is!! I think this could be so important and special to young audiences, which makes sense because it's YA. It didn't work that well for me but I am very excited to read some of Jonny Garza Villa's later works and see how their writing has progressed since this!!
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