A review by maiahhtratchh
The Prettiest Star by Carter Sickels

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book. Holy f*ck. It might be one of the saddest most upsetting but beautiful books I’ve ever read. I swear I haven’t cried as much reading a book as I did with this one. The characters each elicited such strong reactions from me. I’ve read a few comments saying that the point of view of the family made it harder to connect with Brian and I would disagree. I think that the altering points of view accomplished what they were supposed to, show the realities and complexities of family relationships and queerness during the early days of the AIDS crisis. And I was still able to connect with and understand Brian through his video diaries, his actions, and the love his family felt for him despite their ignorance. This book should be read with the understanding that the primary points of view are told through the mother and sister and feature a TON of familial homophobia in the prose. Would I read this book again? Good question. I would definitely recommend it but I would have to be in the right headspace to read it again because it’s just so intense. 
I’m SO upset with how it ended with Travis and Brian. I kept expecting and hoping he would BE THERE and he would tell Brian he loved him at the end ANYTHING. I did love how the last point of view was from Travis as I was thinking throughout it that I wanted to know what was going on in his mind and while the last chapter finally shed light it did not absolve his actions. The small poem at the end also hurt as it showed all Brian wanted was that love and acceptance from his parents- as every child does, specifically those who have been shunned. I understand why it happened that way. It was realistic of the time and story that not everyone would be able to put aside their ignorance or complex feelings at the end. I did find it interesting the similarities between Travis reacting to Brian throughout the book and how Brian recounted his reaction in Shaun’s last days. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings