A review by inthebelljar
Avi Cantor Has Six Months To Live by Sacha Lamb

4.0

I loved this story.

A fairy-tale-like romance between two trans boys - one not out yet, the other passing - with a very sweet ending. The mix between magic and reality was done so well.

One thing that I really like is stories about depressed kids/teenagers who are not 100% agreeable, who are angry and bitter and frustrated (think A Monster Calls). Avi Cantor is all of these things, and he is also kind and a good kid. And I really, really liked that. Depression can be angry, and this is especially common in adolescents. I like that Avi is allowed to hate those that hurt him and bully him.

I also really liked that Avi and Ian both have such different experiences as trans guys, with their families and with their classmates, and how that is explored.

I also really loved a sympathetic demon character, who is more complex than just an agent of evil.

The ending felt a little too simple in some ways, hence the 4 stars, but I might bump that up because I really was glad that Avi and Ian got their happy ending.