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A review by pheromonecvlt
The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
"I’m used to being the only queer in the room"
Okay so the premise of this book is great. Non binary teen, queer representation, autistic rep, a healthy family unit that supports that LGBTQ Autistic teen. A mysterious death that the band of teenagers try and solve?
Like yes. Awesome. Exactly what my teenage self needed.
Sam Sylvester and their dad, Junius, have recently moved into their new home, in a new town, and Sam is looking forward to the chance to restart their life, along with the hopeful prospects of making new LGBT friends at school. But when they realise that their new bedroom has a dark history, it will take more than just their book of "half lived lives" (a file of people who historically died before the age of 19) - it will also take friendship.
Okay so I actually liked this book. There isn't a lot of non binary rep in literature in general so I think it's really awesome that this book does have that.
BUT! as much as I wanted to love it, and as much as I did love some parts, the plot felt forced at some times, and the ending was anticlimactic. I thought that characters were great - but we didn't get enough of them, while we got a lot of vague references to the paranormal and repetition over previous events.
That said, it's a good read, and one with a lot of really great representation.
Okay so the premise of this book is great. Non binary teen, queer representation, autistic rep, a healthy family unit that supports that LGBTQ Autistic teen. A mysterious death that the band of teenagers try and solve?
Like yes. Awesome. Exactly what my teenage self needed.
Sam Sylvester and their dad, Junius, have recently moved into their new home, in a new town, and Sam is looking forward to the chance to restart their life, along with the hopeful prospects of making new LGBT friends at school. But when they realise that their new bedroom has a dark history, it will take more than just their book of "half lived lives" (a file of people who historically died before the age of 19) - it will also take friendship.
Okay so I actually liked this book. There isn't a lot of non binary rep in literature in general so I think it's really awesome that this book does have that.
BUT! as much as I wanted to love it, and as much as I did love some parts, the plot felt forced at some times, and the ending was anticlimactic. I thought that characters were great - but we didn't get enough of them, while we got a lot of vague references to the paranormal and repetition over previous events.
That said, it's a good read, and one with a lot of really great representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia and Physical abuse