Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by shimaira
Everything Is Wonderful Now by Shane Blackheart
5.0
This book is quite unique and doesn't fit neatly into any one box or genre.
TL;DR review:
A semi-autobiographical novel that's best defined as literary urban fantasy. Come for the angel getting his ass kicked, stay for Sean figuring out his past and his own, dark, nature.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On mental health:
With this book being based on the author's life, the mental health rep is very on point. It's personal and real--because it is--which really make this hard to read in certain bits. (Eg when Sera's dad is being abusive.) Because the story has been fictionalised, it remains unclear which bits are indeed fiction and which aren't.
I'll be honest and add that I'm friends with the author, so aware of certain personal details. This made reading this book all the more of a ride because I knew some events really happened, while others left me guessing (and hoping it was fiction-only).
On LGBTQ+:
The MC is trans and the book follows them as a kid to an adult. As a kid, gender questions start to rise but only as small notions, small hints--that bring a smile to Sera's face.
As an adult, Sean is already living as his authentic self. We do see some flashbacks to earlier but most details of the turbulent teen years where he settles are in the time skip.
Sexuality is also a thing because Sean is ace but very sexual (he needs sex on a spiritual level, just seldom feels sexual *attraction*). A combo not represented enough in books imo, so very happy to see more of that
TL;DR review:
A semi-autobiographical novel that's best defined as literary urban fantasy. Come for the angel getting his ass kicked, stay for Sean figuring out his past and his own, dark, nature.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On mental health:
With this book being based on the author's life, the mental health rep is very on point. It's personal and real--because it is--which really make this hard to read in certain bits. (Eg when Sera's dad is being abusive.) Because the story has been fictionalised, it remains unclear which bits are indeed fiction and which aren't.
I'll be honest and add that I'm friends with the author, so aware of certain personal details. This made reading this book all the more of a ride because I knew some events really happened, while others left me guessing (and hoping it was fiction-only).
On LGBTQ+:
The MC is trans and the book follows them as a kid to an adult. As a kid, gender questions start to rise but only as small notions, small hints--that bring a smile to Sera's face.
As an adult, Sean is already living as his authentic self. We do see some flashbacks to earlier but most details of the turbulent teen years where he settles are in the time skip.
Sexuality is also a thing because Sean is ace but very sexual (he needs sex on a spiritual level, just seldom feels sexual *attraction*). A combo not represented enough in books imo, so very happy to see more of that