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A review by achilleanshelves
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa
5.0
Content Warnings - Homophobia (Multi-lingual slurs), accidental outing, queer kid kicked out of home, emotionally and physically abusive parent, past suicide ideations (mentioned)
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa is a wonderful Young Adult contemporary that is equal parts heart-wrenching and heart-warming and packed with a healthy dose of yearning. If you’re a fan of queer books with enormous amounts of love, friendship and self-found strength then this is the next read you’re going to want to pick up (once it releases in June - thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!).
One of the most refreshing and interesting aspects that makes FHMftS stand out in comparison to other Queer Contemporaries is the fact that it follows Jules and his friends as they plan their next steps in life and apply to universities. The story spans nearly an entire year and as a result it never feels static or stuck in time as some YA contemporaries can.
Speaking of Jules’ friends, they were all stand-out characters and such a wonderful found family for Jules when he needed them most. His connection with them all was so significant in his story. Jordan was particularly memorable for me and he and Jules’ dynamic was so much fun. Their final scene had me weeping happy tears, they were a wonderful platonic duo.
Just as important in Jules’ story was his relationship with his family. From the heart-wrenching scenes with Jules’ deceased mother to the blood-curdling anger I felt whenever his father was on-page to the wonderful ball of teasing that was his sister Xo, Villa demonstrates just how complicated families can be. Jules’ final remarks to his father are so important and portray the important message that queer people owe nothing to those who want them to suppress themselves.
Of course, central to the story is Jules’ relationship with Mat. And, oh my, is it just wonderful. Long distances relationships are hardly ever (This was my first time reading about one) portrayed in YA books despite being such a real and staple of the queer experience - particularly in rural areas. As a result, this story felt so special. The yearning and the feeling of missing someone so deeply resonated with me and felt highly authentic. Mat himself was the perfect mix of flirty, smitten and adorable to play opposite Jules’ awkwardness. Their coming together and every scene they share make this book truly shine and provide for such a special and earned reading experience.
Voice is so important in this book: Jules’ voice is so clear and so funny. Villa has such a clear craft of this that truly shapes the story and makes every chapter and every decision feel real. The way Villa has their characters speak in different languages is such a wonderful touch and something that needs to continue to be normalised particularly in YA.
Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun is a five-star read for me as it blends so many of my favourite things - found family, complicated family dynamics, long distance pining, yearning and queer men - into a wonderfully queer story that tells the reader that their strength is within themself and that they never have to be ashamed about who they are.
Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun by Jonny Garza Villa is a wonderful Young Adult contemporary that is equal parts heart-wrenching and heart-warming and packed with a healthy dose of yearning. If you’re a fan of queer books with enormous amounts of love, friendship and self-found strength then this is the next read you’re going to want to pick up (once it releases in June - thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC!).
One of the most refreshing and interesting aspects that makes FHMftS stand out in comparison to other Queer Contemporaries is the fact that it follows Jules and his friends as they plan their next steps in life and apply to universities. The story spans nearly an entire year and as a result it never feels static or stuck in time as some YA contemporaries can.
Speaking of Jules’ friends, they were all stand-out characters and such a wonderful found family for Jules when he needed them most. His connection with them all was so significant in his story. Jordan was particularly memorable for me and he and Jules’ dynamic was so much fun. Their final scene had me weeping happy tears, they were a wonderful platonic duo.
Just as important in Jules’ story was his relationship with his family. From the heart-wrenching scenes with Jules’ deceased mother to the blood-curdling anger I felt whenever his father was on-page to the wonderful ball of teasing that was his sister Xo, Villa demonstrates just how complicated families can be. Jules’ final remarks to his father are so important and portray the important message that queer people owe nothing to those who want them to suppress themselves.
Of course, central to the story is Jules’ relationship with Mat. And, oh my, is it just wonderful. Long distances relationships are hardly ever (This was my first time reading about one) portrayed in YA books despite being such a real and staple of the queer experience - particularly in rural areas. As a result, this story felt so special. The yearning and the feeling of missing someone so deeply resonated with me and felt highly authentic. Mat himself was the perfect mix of flirty, smitten and adorable to play opposite Jules’ awkwardness. Their coming together and every scene they share make this book truly shine and provide for such a special and earned reading experience.
Voice is so important in this book: Jules’ voice is so clear and so funny. Villa has such a clear craft of this that truly shapes the story and makes every chapter and every decision feel real. The way Villa has their characters speak in different languages is such a wonderful touch and something that needs to continue to be normalised particularly in YA.
Fifteen Hundred Miles From the Sun is a five-star read for me as it blends so many of my favourite things - found family, complicated family dynamics, long distance pining, yearning and queer men - into a wonderfully queer story that tells the reader that their strength is within themself and that they never have to be ashamed about who they are.