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emilychau's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
3.5
trevoryan's review
4.0
I am so happy that we have a graphic novel series by and about Indigenous people and issues. This volume does a great job tackling what it's like to be Two Spirit. Highly recommended.
simonlorden's review against another edition
4.5
This story focuses on four indigenous teens, two of them Two-Spirit. I love how it introduces you to the culture in an understandable way, and while most of the book is about Two-Spirit identities and male-female roles this time, there's also description of police brutality and the violence of residential schools, not to mention foster care. (Fortunately, Dez's foster mother is actually cool, but that social worker sucks. Or she's very burnt out.)
jackie_marion's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Racism, and Transphobia
melloyellow0920's review
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
tinynavajo's review
4.0
In this second volume of Surviving the City we see that Dez has grown just a bit from the last time we saw them. Her grandmother has died and she is now living in a group home, but she has made connections and still seeking out how to embrace her identity as a Two-Spirited person. I think what I love most about this is we see how welcoming some elders are to the ideas that there are teachings that are missing and how close-minded some elders are to the same teachings. In order to continue to grow and become a better nation where all are included, we need to be willing and able to respond to teachings about different peoples. Even if it goes against all that we've learned.
em_harring's review
5.0
A fantastic follow up to the first volume.
This focuses more on Dez. We see them living in the aftermath of their grandmother's death, now forced to live in a group home. At the core of this volume is their struggle with their identity and expressing their identity when colonial constructs of gender and sexuality are so often forced on us. It's truly a beautiful story, and I just loved it. It's about loving our relatives for exactly who they are, and focusing on healing each other and coming together.
I hope there's more!
This focuses more on Dez. We see them living in the aftermath of their grandmother's death, now forced to live in a group home. At the core of this volume is their struggle with their identity and expressing their identity when colonial constructs of gender and sexuality are so often forced on us. It's truly a beautiful story, and I just loved it. It's about loving our relatives for exactly who they are, and focusing on healing each other and coming together.
I hope there's more!
topy_loving_books's review
4.0
We get back with Dez and Miikwan, but this time the story focused on Dez's gender identity, as a Two-Spirit person and her relationship with new girl, Riel. This time Tasha Spillett introduced us to what is a Two-Spirit person, but I wish it was more explain as I struggled to understand the distinction with a non-binary person (even after doing researchs).
I liked the different discussions about the gendered protocols (result of the oppression by colonization and residential schools) surrounding the various rituals, and how it affect the LGBTQIA+ people who don't fit this binary mold. It could apply to any binary/heteronormative society in general, and that's why it's important that we question ourselves, as a society, about the way we're used to fonction, and how we could change to become more inclusive. The ones who usually refuse the changes are the people who profit from them.
I liked the different discussions about the gendered protocols (result of the oppression by colonization and residential schools) surrounding the various rituals, and how it affect the LGBTQIA+ people who don't fit this binary mold. It could apply to any binary/heteronormative society in general, and that's why it's important that we question ourselves, as a society, about the way we're used to fonction, and how we could change to become more inclusive. The ones who usually refuse the changes are the people who profit from them.