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corsetedfeminist's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is a delight.
I can best describe it as a combination of Percy Jackson and the Hunger Games, just make it very Mexican and very gay.
The main character is a trans teenage boy who is deeply insecure and passionate about justice all at the same time and I love him.
Even better, his best friend is a girl I can only describe as a himbo. Very strong, very tall, very affectionate, not terribly smart. She reminds me of Luisa from Encanto, and I love her so much. She’s one of my favorite girl characters I’ve read recently, to be honest, just from a personality standpoint.
It took me awhile to get into the plot, but the characters kept me going until I got sucked into the plot. The author does a good job of discussing the nuances and complexity of privilege and racism and homophobia underneath gorgeous worldbuilding. I especially loved the casual but warm inclusion of Black Mexicans and multiple trans characters.
If you have a teenager and you’re asking yourself “What should I give them to read since that one British author is garbage?”
This book is a perfect choice. (It’s also a delight for adults who just want a fun gay magic book.)
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence, Murder, Transphobia, and Homophobia
zoeflores14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
rinku's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, and Violence
Minor: Death, Child abuse, Transphobia, Body shaming, and Bullying
kelsitaylor's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
pages_with_panda's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pastelwriter's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I have…conflicting feelings about this book.
For one, it took me absolutely way too long to get into this story. For about 200 pages, I wasn’t particularly compelled to pick it up. It wasn’t bad (by any means), but I was struggling to convince myself to read it despite the fact that I would enjoy it once I decided to pay it attention again.
Another dilemma was that I was hit hard by the reality that I’m not the target audience of this book. It read very clearly as a YA novel. This is not inherently a bad thing, but it means it’s a type of writing I’m less and less compelled by. It honestly read like a staple of YA—with all its strengths and shortcomings.
Still. Once I made it 200 pages in, I began to be invested in the narrative and the characters. I was becoming more curious about the trials and the competitors. I became invested in Teo, Niya, and Xio’s friendship. I found the trials themselves engaging and thrilling to read. Although I had a strong sense of where the story would go, I didn’t mind because I was still driven enough by the storytelling to keep reading.
I ended up loving not just the friendships in this novel, but the blooming romance between Teo and Aurelio. Aurelio is definitely the quiet and reserved type. So, Teo and Aurelio took a while to rekindle their previous friendship and their romantic feelings for each other. Still, I loved how respectful Aurelio was of Teo’s boundaries as it showed a deep and genuine care for him.
I also have to say that one of the characters to steal my heart away was Xio. That’s my baby child! I adore him and want to protect him at all costs.I don’t care that he played a role in what happened in the conclusion of this novel…and that he brings more questions than answers considering he’s an Obsidian…I DON’T CARE. THAT’s STILL MY BABY 😭
All this to say, I still found things to love about this book. I don’t regret having read it or owning 3 copies of it 🙈 I look forward to reading the sequel. However, I would say that readers who might be “outgrowing” YA might not be the best served by this book 🤷🏻♀️
For one, it took me absolutely way too long to get into this story. For about 200 pages, I wasn’t particularly compelled to pick it up. It wasn’t bad (by any means), but I was struggling to convince myself to read it despite the fact that I would enjoy it once I decided to pay it attention again.
Another dilemma was that I was hit hard by the reality that I’m not the target audience of this book. It read very clearly as a YA novel. This is not inherently a bad thing, but it means it’s a type of writing I’m less and less compelled by. It honestly read like a staple of YA—with all its strengths and shortcomings.
Still. Once I made it 200 pages in, I began to be invested in the narrative and the characters. I was becoming more curious about the trials and the competitors. I became invested in Teo, Niya, and Xio’s friendship. I found the trials themselves engaging and thrilling to read. Although I had a strong sense of where the story would go, I didn’t mind because I was still driven enough by the storytelling to keep reading.
I ended up loving not just the friendships in this novel, but the blooming romance between Teo and Aurelio. Aurelio is definitely the quiet and reserved type. So, Teo and Aurelio took a while to rekindle their previous friendship and their romantic feelings for each other. Still, I loved how respectful Aurelio was of Teo’s boundaries as it showed a deep and genuine care for him.
I also have to say that one of the characters to steal my heart away was Xio. That’s my baby child! I adore him and want to protect him at all costs.
All this to say, I still found things to love about this book. I don’t regret having read it or owning 3 copies of it 🙈 I look forward to reading the sequel. However, I would say that readers who might be “outgrowing” YA might not be the best served by this book 🤷🏻♀️
castor_stay's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
fishfish's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I first found this book in a queer bookstore I love to visit, I knew of Aiden Thomas from when I’d read cemetery boys so naturally I got it. But it did take me a while to actually read the thing.
My partner actually asked me to, since they had first and they definitely enjoyed it. With complete and utter honestly, I would like to say that I enjoyed it too. So much.
This book was intense, and gave you an earned feeling of dread for how it may end. It provides a background of a world unlike our own that is both fantastically crafted and doesn’t treat people like myself like they should be crushed under foot. With not one, not two, but three different trans characters in the main cast. (Ocelo you may be a jerk but I still appreciate you!)
The ending left me on the edge of my seat, and everything before it was just as intense and fantastic! I would thoroughly recommend reading this if you ever have a chance to do so. I am so very glad that I did.
My partner actually asked me to, since they had first and they definitely enjoyed it. With complete and utter honestly, I would like to say that I enjoyed it too. So much.
This book was intense, and gave you an earned feeling of dread for how it may end. It provides a background of a world unlike our own that is both fantastically crafted and doesn’t treat people like myself like they should be crushed under foot. With not one, not two, but three different trans characters in the main cast. (Ocelo you may be a jerk but I still appreciate you!)
The ending left me on the edge of my seat, and everything before it was just as intense and fantastic! I would thoroughly recommend reading this if you ever have a chance to do so. I am so very glad that I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Confinement and Dysphoria
kelliemw's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
alindeman's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0