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bookcaptivated's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, and Deportation
Moderate: Torture and Violence
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2/5
I was so excited to read this book but it took almost two hundred pages for the story to really get into the summary. From then on until the end of the book I felt like the pacing was slow, which was odd because there were so many short chapters.
I was so excited to read this book but it took almost two hundred pages for the story to really get into the summary. From then on until the end of the book I felt like the pacing was slow, which was odd because there were so many short chapters.
vi0letskies's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
<spoilers>I understand that it's a YA book, but, is there a need for 200+ chapters?
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
ril's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
gabriellerza's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
laflormorada's review
3.0
This story pulled me in from the first sentence and had me hooked - "It's been six hundred and nineteen days since I found out Mom died. And only one until I get my revenge."
The writing can be a bit disjointed at times and sometimes there's not enough detail to the plot when there needs to be (reason for 3 stars), but overall I enjoyed it. The poetic writing, OwnVoices immigrant story and strong characterization of Sia made this book stand out. I think the author sometimes couldn't figure out if she was writing a character-driven coming-of-age tale or a sci-fi thriller. It is considered a genre-bending tale with the introduction of aliens and government abductions, and I do wish there had been more of that because that part was so intriguing! The romance is kinda steamy, but very pro-feminine which was refreshing. I now want to read some poetry by this author because her descriptions and asides about life, existence, emotion were so beautiful. The ending leaves the reader wanting, so I'm hoping this is a series starter and Sia's story isn't over yet.
The writing can be a bit disjointed at times and sometimes there's not enough detail to the plot when there needs to be (reason for 3 stars), but overall I enjoyed it. The poetic writing, OwnVoices immigrant story and strong characterization of Sia made this book stand out. I think the author sometimes couldn't figure out if she was writing a character-driven coming-of-age tale or a sci-fi thriller. It is considered a genre-bending tale with the introduction of aliens and government abductions, and I do wish there had been more of that because that part was so intriguing! The romance is kinda steamy, but very pro-feminine which was refreshing. I now want to read some poetry by this author because her descriptions and asides about life, existence, emotion were so beautiful. The ending leaves the reader wanting, so I'm hoping this is a series starter and Sia's story isn't over yet.
soopushie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
s_smiadak's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't read the blurb before reading this book so I was a little surprised when it started out "normal" and then turned sci-fi. I did enjoy the story overall though and hope there's a sequel since the ending definitely felt like a cliffhanger.
jazminrose's review against another edition
4.0
Themes in this book include:
Mexican folklore, conspiracy theories, life after sexual assault, domestic abuse, ICE and deportation, Catholicism, girls (literally) kicking ass, aliens, grief, there are some ~sexy~ scenes, racism, clones, coming of age, PTSD, police violence, time manipulation …
There are 224 chapters in roughly 400 pages!
There’s A LOT going on here, especially for such a short read, but it somehow all works. This book is so unusual and a little messy, but it’s very fun and surpassed all of my expectations.
Mexican folklore, conspiracy theories, life after sexual assault, domestic abuse, ICE and deportation, Catholicism, girls (literally) kicking ass, aliens, grief, there are some ~sexy~ scenes, racism, clones, coming of age, PTSD, police violence, time manipulation …
There are 224 chapters in roughly 400 pages!
There’s A LOT going on here, especially for such a short read, but it somehow all works. This book is so unusual and a little messy, but it’s very fun and surpassed all of my expectations.
carolined314's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.0
A spec fic meditation on growing up, loss, love, ICE, illegal detainment, racism, and more. With dancing cacti.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Death of parent
Moderate: Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Death, Confinement, and Torture
Minor: Physical abuse, Deportation, and Police brutality