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distilledreads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“The biggest lie of all is the story you think you already know.”
This book wrecked me in the most unexpected way. I went into it anticipating a fairy tale retelling and finished moved to tears by the lyrical prose and the LGBTQ+ representation and the depth of this gorgeous magical realism novel.
McLemore’s writing has the spell-binding quality of the most captivating fairy tales. Blanca & Roja is told through four POVs which I found was perfect to encapsulate the representation in this book, and there is so much representation. Each character has their own individual journey that weaves together in the most gorgeous way. The portrayal of platonic, romantic, and familial relationships was raw and poignant and so realistic.
Our main characters, Blanca & Roja, are Latinx sisters that have been pitted against one another since childhood. Despite this expectation of rivalry, they have cultivated such a loving relationship that is challenged throughout this narrative, but I love how it was never debased. And then our October Boys. Yearling comes from a wealthy family and is trying to reveal its corrupt nature while adjusting to a new disability (partially blind) that is intrinsically linked to his abusive family. Page is a non-binary trans boy who uses both he and she pronouns and is rightfully frustrated and pained by the constant barrage of assumptions and expectations. The dialogue surrounding pronouns was worth the read alone, and how our characters find self-love and acceptance in addition to romantic love made my heart sing.
As well, there is a F/F relationship between two tertiary characters that made me grin ear-to-ear and period representation featuring severe menstruation pain that made me want to give Roja the biggest hug. In fact, I wanted to give all the characters the biggest hug.
In summary, this is a beautiful queer fairy tale that is so much more and I already want to reread it.
This is an own-voices novel and my review of it is from the perspective of a white cis-woman.
CW: colourism, racism, abuse, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Racism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Fatphobia
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