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introvertinterrupted's Reviews (1.08k)
I haven’t seen a lot of people talk about this book from the YA crowd, but it’s worth the read if you’re big on science fiction, fantasy, or magic.
I was impressed by this book because while it does take place in New York City, LIsa Maxwell does a good job creating a community/ world in this book that blends the gangs of the 1920’s and magic in a spell binding way that makes readers almost feel as if this is more of a historical fiction than fantasy novel. Each character in the novel feels fully fleshed out and like they have an actual purpose for having being written. Even the side character son his novel feel like they’ve been properly thought out.
I’m also happy to see that the main character, Elsa, and other female characters were written in a way where they have full agency over their actions and aren’t just objects of sexual desire. Just like the men in the book, they’re allowed to be in on the full action of the novel.
There’s honestly something for everyone in this book. I’d definitely recommend that if you enjoy this book, you’d enjoy reading [b:The Golem and the Ginni] by Helene Wecker to get that same “turn of the century” vibe Maxwell evokes with her novel and/or the [b:Artemis Fowl|249747|Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, #1)|Eoin Colfer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327945104s/249747.jpg|1334778] series by Eoin Colfer to read another book about a strong female character(s) who can go toe to toe with the males in the series and for the world building Colfer has in the series.
I was impressed by this book because while it does take place in New York City, LIsa Maxwell does a good job creating a community/ world in this book that blends the gangs of the 1920’s and magic in a spell binding way that makes readers almost feel as if this is more of a historical fiction than fantasy novel. Each character in the novel feels fully fleshed out and like they have an actual purpose for having being written. Even the side character son his novel feel like they’ve been properly thought out.
I’m also happy to see that the main character, Elsa, and other female characters were written in a way where they have full agency over their actions and aren’t just objects of sexual desire. Just like the men in the book, they’re allowed to be in on the full action of the novel.
There’s honestly something for everyone in this book. I’d definitely recommend that if you enjoy this book, you’d enjoy reading [b:The Golem and the Ginni] by Helene Wecker to get that same “turn of the century” vibe Maxwell evokes with her novel and/or the [b:Artemis Fowl|249747|Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl, #1)|Eoin Colfer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327945104s/249747.jpg|1334778] series by Eoin Colfer to read another book about a strong female character(s) who can go toe to toe with the males in the series and for the world building Colfer has in the series.
This book was so good! 😍
It broached the topic of the male gaze on defining female bodies, how young girls are stripped of their agency by society once they enter into puberty, the culture of church going in Latin American culture (and it could also be said of African-Americans too, but that may just be me reading too much into that) and the general YA topic of “finding your voice.” Just like [b: American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960] by Ibi Zoboi, this book doesn’t necessarily touch on any new topics for a YA book, but it gives a new perspective from the view of a minority main character. Elizabeth Acevedo’s skill and command over her choice of topic and infusion of Afro-Dominican flavor spins this narrative of finding yourself into something fresh and breath taking.
I honestly just wanted to jump into this book’s pages and walk around the neighborhood Acevedo had created and attend the school along with her characters because the narrative was that deep and rich. I felt almost as if her characters were people I knew and could relate to. This is definitely a novel I’ll be revisiting again and again becausebof the honesty in which the author wrote.
I would highly recommend it to everyone who loves a good feminist read, but also anyone who just wants to read a good YA novel devoid of cliches and platitudes that feel empty. Acevedo novel makes you feel something deep inside your bones that I haven’t seen replicated by anyone author in awhile in the YA genre.
If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend reading [b: Gabi, A Girl in Pieces|20702546|Gabi, a Girl in Pieces|Isabel Quintero|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400939056s/20702546.jpg|40022380] by Isabel Quintero to get the same feel of poetry and the struggle of a first generation Latino girl trying to meet the expectations of their immigrant parents and/or [b: House on Mango Street|139253|The House on Mango Street|Sandra Cisneros|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348245688s/139253.jpg|2000351] by Sandra Cisneros if you enjoyed the feel of community in Acevedo’s novel.
It broached the topic of the male gaze on defining female bodies, how young girls are stripped of their agency by society once they enter into puberty, the culture of church going in Latin American culture (and it could also be said of African-Americans too, but that may just be me reading too much into that) and the general YA topic of “finding your voice.” Just like [b: American Street|30256109|American Street|Ibi Zoboi|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466519379s/30256109.jpg|49524960] by Ibi Zoboi, this book doesn’t necessarily touch on any new topics for a YA book, but it gives a new perspective from the view of a minority main character. Elizabeth Acevedo’s skill and command over her choice of topic and infusion of Afro-Dominican flavor spins this narrative of finding yourself into something fresh and breath taking.
I honestly just wanted to jump into this book’s pages and walk around the neighborhood Acevedo had created and attend the school along with her characters because the narrative was that deep and rich. I felt almost as if her characters were people I knew and could relate to. This is definitely a novel I’ll be revisiting again and again becausebof the honesty in which the author wrote.
I would highly recommend it to everyone who loves a good feminist read, but also anyone who just wants to read a good YA novel devoid of cliches and platitudes that feel empty. Acevedo novel makes you feel something deep inside your bones that I haven’t seen replicated by anyone author in awhile in the YA genre.
If you enjoyed this book, I would recommend reading [b: Gabi, A Girl in Pieces|20702546|Gabi, a Girl in Pieces|Isabel Quintero|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400939056s/20702546.jpg|40022380] by Isabel Quintero to get the same feel of poetry and the struggle of a first generation Latino girl trying to meet the expectations of their immigrant parents and/or [b: House on Mango Street|139253|The House on Mango Street|Sandra Cisneros|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348245688s/139253.jpg|2000351] by Sandra Cisneros if you enjoyed the feel of community in Acevedo’s novel.
If you ever need a pick me up after failing or while you're in the waiting room of life trying to "make it," this is the book for you. It simply tells you, you're further along than you think you are and not to fret because everyone isn't as put together as they might seem. LOL It's definitely a gift/message meant for our social media driven world.