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A review by ninegladiolus
If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
If You Still Recognize Me by Cynthia So is a beautiful contemporary sapphic novel that’s equal parts coming of age and romance. I picked it up initially because the main character Elsie develops a crush on her fandom bestie Ada, who writes Elsie fanfics of their favourite comic book ship, which is an incredibly relatable situation for me—and it perfectly captured that spirit for sure. There is bisexual, lesbian, nonbinary, gay, ace, and other unlabeled queer rep within.
It also wonderfully addresses topics like how queerness intersects with racial and/or ethnic identities, the challenges and joys of being second generation diaspora, and of course, a lovely second chance romance. It moved me to literal tears of cathartic joy which is rare for me in general, and particularly for YA. If You Still Recognize Me has shot to the top of my recommendation list and is easily a favourite of the year for me.
Thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.
It also wonderfully addresses topics like how queerness intersects with racial and/or ethnic identities, the challenges and joys of being second generation diaspora, and of course, a lovely second chance romance. It moved me to literal tears of cathartic joy which is rare for me in general, and particularly for YA. If You Still Recognize Me has shot to the top of my recommendation list and is easily a favourite of the year for me.
Thank you to HarperTeen and Edelweiss for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.