A review by queerafictionado
Too Bright to See by Kyle Lukoff

emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

 Most people tend to have a moment, a person, an experience…something that helped them on their journey of discovering their identity as a queer/trans* person. Sometimes it’s lots of individual pieces that eventually come together and reveal something to you that you hadn’t seen before. Sometimes it’s more of a light bulb moment when everything just suddenly makes sense in a way it hadn’t before. In Bug’s case, that help came in the most unexpected of ways - through the paranormal. 

Bug’s house had always been haunted. But suddenly, following the death of Bug’s beloved uncle, new things begin happening. And they all seem focused on Bug. And while Bug’s best friend Moira is focused on preparing for middle school, make-up, shopping, boys, and other things that Bug has no interest in…Bug is focused on figuring out what message Uncle Roderick is trying to send. I don’t want to say a lot about the story details because it’s hard not to do it without spoilers. I want other readers to be able to experience the journey alongside Bug, so I’ll keep my review to general thoughts and my reaction/feelings.

There are two main themes woven through this story - grief and identity. The loss of Roderick hit hard on their family. Especially Bug’s mom, but also on Bug. Throughout the story you get little snippets of the past and you learn more about Roderick and Bug’s relationship. And as Bug begins to put together all the pieces of the past with all the coded messages from Roderick’s ghost, new questions arise that send Bug on two distinct yet connected journeys: to find out what Roderick is trying to tell them and to figure out who the real Bug is. It’s a story about friendship, growing up, and finding yourself with a fun cozy mystery/paranormal twist that ultimately leads to a beautiful story about trans* joy. And it’s a reminder that even when you grow up in a supportive and progressive family, it can still be hard to find the answers you need and share your truth. Because being vulnerable like that is always a little scary, even when there aren’t ghosts involved.

🏳️‍🌈Rep: Trans MC, Gay uncle (SC)

📝Genre/Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Paranormal, Coming of Age, Coming Out, Small Town Vermont, Single Parent, Friendship
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