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3.04 AVERAGE
3.04 AVERAGE
There were so many aspects of this book that were brilliant, but it was ultimately overshadowed by the deeply problematic romance. 17 and 28 is just fucked up.
I kept waiting for some message of "wouldn't that be messed up?" but instead it was simply child pornography, no way around it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Absolutely insane (derogatory)
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
this book was a fun read, but it felt more vibe-y than plot-y, so a lot of my understanding is fuzzy (partially my fault for reading while super tired). i know it's not important, but i couldn't figure out the relationship dynamic of the family xochi was staying with and who was related or how old anyone was.
it was a main point of conflict that xochi (17) and her boss (twice her age) were sleeping together, but not because that's weird and inappropriate, but because they didn't want the boss's 12 year old to find out?
this shouldn't be marketed as YA until that relationship is explicitly condemned. it's a point of tension for everyone, but they seem to regard it as inevitable rather than inappropriate or an actual crime. but it's not condemned in a way that xochi's rapist is - he is killed by the magical beings while xochi's predatory boss is enabled.
also i found out from reading other reviews that this story takes place in during the aids epidemic. again, i mostly read this book half asleep - so not very closely - but i think that could have and should have been made much clearer? especially because many of the main characters experience same sex attraction and almost all of them are polyamorous. it's deeply relevant to them & their relationships, but i completely missed it. (again, my bad for not reading closely, but your setting shouldn't only be noticeable with a magnifying glass)
the fantasy element could have been removed and the book would read exactly the same.
idk. overall a vibey story i had fun with, but i don't feel like i can take something from it.
it was a main point of conflict that xochi (17) and her boss (twice her age) were sleeping together, but not because that's weird and inappropriate, but because they didn't want the boss's 12 year old to find out?
this shouldn't be marketed as YA until that relationship is explicitly condemned. it's a point of tension for everyone, but they seem to regard it as inevitable rather than inappropriate or an actual crime. but it's not condemned in a way that xochi's rapist is - he is killed by the magical beings while xochi's predatory boss is enabled.
also i found out from reading other reviews that this story takes place in during the aids epidemic. again, i mostly read this book half asleep - so not very closely - but i think that could have and should have been made much clearer? especially because many of the main characters experience same sex attraction and almost all of them are polyamorous. it's deeply relevant to them & their relationships, but i completely missed it. (again, my bad for not reading closely, but your setting shouldn't only be noticeable with a magnifying glass)
the fantasy element could have been removed and the book would read exactly the same.
idk. overall a vibey story i had fun with, but i don't feel like i can take something from it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
I struggled with how to rate this book. It took a long time for me to get into it, but once I did the story is engaging and beautifully written. I had read reviews and knew that the romance aspect featured a large age gap and a 17 year old- which did weird me out enough to affect my rating and whether or not I would recommend it to others.