A review by esseastri
Rebelwing by Andrea Tang

5.0

This book makes me feel the same way I feel about Pacific Rim. It's bright and neon and full of absolutely delightful, unapologeitc ridiculousness. It's witty and warm, full of biting humor and character growth to die for. But it's also a social commentary and a ruthless destruction of capitalism and censorship. It's about a girl piloting a dragon-shaped mech that's sentient and imprinted on her mind. But it's also a war story. It's about absolute disaster teens who I love with my entire being and their straight up shenanigans. But it's also about revolution, and maybe a little bit about Les Mis, which makes it--you know--My Thing. My Exact Brand.

I admit I'm biased to like this story on principle, but trust me when I say that even if you don't think it's your jam, you will probably love it anyway. I'm not kidding when I say it's witty--the humor in this book had me in stitches, and my girlfriend asking me why I couldn't stop laughing out loud. But there are some poignant character moments that had me turning into a sobbing mess because

Spoiler

he'd make music, I DIE

. There's a gorgeous attitude about this book, which drops you into a near-future world that feels uncomfortably possible while at the same time being a little bit ridiculous, but in the best way. It trusts you to figure it out for yourself, much like the main character, Pru, who has to learn on the fly (literally). You learn along with her, and it's a wild ride, and I loved every page of it.

TL;DR: Revoltuionary disaster teens save the world from censorship and capitalism with a magical dragon mech. Please preorder now. You will not regret it.