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reyanj's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.75
alivaster's review
2.0
This book had so much going for it, but while it had many beautiful moments and I mostly enjoyed the writing style, plot, and diversity, it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. However, I can see why so many people loved it.
As many of you know, I've never been a huge fan of many POVs or when there are multiple POV switches within a single chapter. This book did have this happen quite a lot and, while it made sense, sometimes felt a little excessive to me.
Honestly, the book completely held my interest up until it switched to the POV of the aliens. I loved the violin aspect (I'm a fellow instrument player) and the soul-selling (the soul has always captured my interest) and the demons (fun creatures!), so when it switched, it slowed what felt was a strong story and broke my focus. I felt like I had stopped one novel and started a totally different one because there wasn't anything to connect the two parts in the beginning. The combination of demons and aliens just didn't work for me in the way I thought it would.
A major plus of the novel though besides what I already listed?? Food. The donuts described are ones that I wish I could pull from the book and have in real life.
As many of you know, I've never been a huge fan of many POVs or when there are multiple POV switches within a single chapter. This book did have this happen quite a lot and, while it made sense, sometimes felt a little excessive to me.
Honestly, the book completely held my interest up until it switched to the POV of the aliens. I loved the violin aspect (I'm a fellow instrument player) and the soul-selling (the soul has always captured my interest) and the demons (fun creatures!), so when it switched, it slowed what felt was a strong story and broke my focus. I felt like I had stopped one novel and started a totally different one because there wasn't anything to connect the two parts in the beginning. The combination of demons and aliens just didn't work for me in the way I thought it would.
A major plus of the novel though besides what I already listed?? Food. The donuts described are ones that I wish I could pull from the book and have in real life.
quovi's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
timinbc's review
4.0
This book transcends its problems, just as Katrina does.
First off, who sits down to write a book about an abused self-taught transgender violinist, a soul-selling teacher, and aliens who make donuts? Answer: no one until now!
Second, who makes the plot arc so OBvious and has it come out satisfying anyway? Answer: most authors of mystery novels.
I liked the geeky details of violins, and how they can be semi-alive and sometimes cursed. I liked the sort of realistic-Coneheads aliens constantly rigging up something new like Bugs Bunny.
I wondered how no one seems to think it's odd that six consecutive Shizuka students have died.
I wondered how Shizuka is able to kill people? Is she perhaps halfway to demon herself?
We knew they'd escape Tremon, and it wasn't long before we could see how, but it was still fun to see how it developed, against the background of terrified Katrina failing to overcome her fears and instead blowing right past them into Her Moment.
Overall, the book felt meticulously constructed. I enjoyed it.
First off, who sits down to write a book about an abused self-taught transgender violinist, a soul-selling teacher, and aliens who make donuts? Answer: no one until now!
Second, who makes the plot arc so OBvious and has it come out satisfying anyway? Answer: most authors of mystery novels.
I liked the geeky details of violins, and how they can be semi-alive and sometimes cursed. I liked the sort of realistic-Coneheads aliens constantly rigging up something new like Bugs Bunny.
I wondered how no one seems to think it's odd that six consecutive Shizuka students have died.
I wondered how Shizuka is able to kill people? Is she perhaps halfway to demon herself?
We knew they'd escape Tremon, and it wasn't long before we could see how, but it was still fun to see how it developed, against the background of terrified Katrina failing to overcome her fears and instead blowing right past them into Her Moment.
Overall, the book felt meticulously constructed. I enjoyed it.
urania's review
this book is everything btw
how can one combine well-known and overused ideas such as a deal with the devil, aliens and an incredibly important competition to create a fascinating, original and simply beautiful story?
"light from uncommon stars" is a heart-warming and absolutely wild ride (in a spaceship!! lmao) i feel deeply connected to. there's something calming in having a book in which a young trans woman, elderly sapphic couple and a group of aliens get a happy and satisfying ending. add music, specifically violin (about which i know next to nothing), and you get something magically addictive and exceptional.
i don't think this novel is perfect, the pacing sucks at times, there are some issues i believe could be talked about more (though the book already covers racism, abusive families and friends, queerphobia, transphobia, and more), and i feel like the characters could be written slightly better, especially the background ones, but you know what? it doesn't matter, i love it with my entire heart. i know nothing about classical music and violin, and yet the climax and Katrina's Bartók made me forget about everything other than the book i was reading. somehow the author managed to combine the study of a sonata i had no knowledge about before reading this novel and the feelings Katrina felt during her performance. honestly breathtaking.
also, Shizuka Satomi, the woman that you are. seriously, i might be in love (
now, for some of the quotes i highlighted that don't include spoilers and i think are great:
But here, sipping this coffee and tasting these delicious sandwiches, just by listening to Shizuka talk about music, somehow Lan Tran felt neither alone nor hopeless at all.
Tomorrow is tomorrow. Over there is over there. And here and now is not a bad place and time to be, especially when so much of the unknown is beautiful.
Lan said it would be the most beautiful spectacle ever. Yet surely it would be even more beautiful reflected within Donut Lady's eyes.
(...) she offered her love and her truth, regardless of whether or not they recognised them as such. She offered all the music she had, that they might hear their own music and play.
One day, you'll have a student, and I think you'll understand.
With no need for a beginning, nor any reason to end, the music continues. And so, no matter who you are where you came from, what sins you have commited or hurt you have endured... when you are alone and there is no universe left to remember you. You can always, always rewrite your song.
IT WORKS SO WELL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE NOVEL Y'ALL DON'T UNDERSTAND
anyway yes the book is great. not objectively, i think it lacks a lot tbh and i could definitely agree with a lot of aspects some of the negative reviews mentioned; having said that, i love it, "light from uncommon child" is officially my book, thank you very much. i wouldn't exactly recommend it, but if you're looking for a original story with female main characters, rich representation not only of people, but also of problems (even if not always executed as well as i'd like), in which the plot takes the turns you'd expect it to but with surprising twists, i believe this story could be for you!!
gabamunchkin's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mdelao630's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
ashley_heuser's review
4.0
Loved overall! The vibes were surprisingly cozy (as a contrast to the harvesting souls premise of the book). I also loved all of the characters dearly, I felt like the author put so much care into this world while still having lovable yet flawed characters.
However, I did not like the ableism throughout the book. Some of which does have narrative consequences (the competing musician using deaf as an insult and the jock using the r word). Lan mentioned that as civilizations became more developed, they would “eliminate infirmities” which felt very eugenic to me. To have a character say such a thing without any push back felt like “of course no one would have disabilities and of course society would ‘correct’ for those” which completely ignores the fact that many people like their disabilities and how they perceive the world (re Deaf Gain or Disability Gain). I wish the author would have considered her own biases when writing this part of the book.
However, I did not like the ableism throughout the book. Some of which does have narrative consequences (the competing musician using deaf as an insult and the jock using the r word). Lan mentioned that as civilizations became more developed, they would “eliminate infirmities” which felt very eugenic to me. To have a character say such a thing without any push back felt like “of course no one would have disabilities and of course society would ‘correct’ for those” which completely ignores the fact that many people like their disabilities and how they perceive the world (re Deaf Gain or Disability Gain). I wish the author would have considered her own biases when writing this part of the book.
fyence's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
My heart becomes soft and melts, knowing I have read this book.