A review by humblebee20
Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon Ha Lee

4.0

What a wonderful book! This book takes a little time to get going but once it does, I was floored by how natural the author brings you into the world. As someone who is gender-queer, I can not overstate how nice it was to have multiple characters (including the main character) use they/them and it not be an "issue" that had to be solved or a main focus of the book. I read fantasy and sci-fi for the cool worlds and fun intricacies, and this book shows how easy it is to have a sci-fi setting that accepts those who fall outside the gender binary. Sure nb/gq people face a lot of scrutiny in real life, but fantasy and sci-fi serve as an escape, and I love that nb people get to experience cool mechs and revolution without there needing to be a big fuss about it. The are also instances of poly relationships, a character that uses it/its, and other lgbtq relationships that serve as more than forced rep, and more like people that exist in this world. The author delivers in spades in this regard.
Otherwise, I think this book doesn't pull any punches with the plot, although it can be a bit tricky at times to keep all the politicking straight. Pacing too felt a little weird, but overall kept me pretty excited about where the story is headed. No clue if there will be a sequel, but I loved what I read and I am so thankful to the author for making a story where I could freely say "wow, they're just like me" in a story with cool magic and robots.