CW: sexual abuse, emotional abuse, parental abuse, anxiety, panic attacks, ableist slurs, racism, attempted suicide

I didn’t really know what to expect going into this novel, but I enjoyed it. It was poignant and gripping, and to be honest, words can’t entirely do this novel justice.

I loved Kiko and I was rooting for her the entire time. Jamie was a bit clichéd and made some questionable decisions, but for the most part he was a sweet, precious boy and I love him. I think their romance complemented their characters, and in general it was just really sweet.

I liked that Kiko’s art was such a big part of the story, and the little piece descriptions at the end of each chapter. They were vivid in my mind and I think they added an extra dimension to the book as a whole.

Another focal point of the novel is Kiko finding family and learning to love her culture (she’s half-Japanese) and herself. She gains confidence and courage, and it was truly admirable. By the end, her character arc is evident and she’s stronger than she ever was.

From cover to cover, this novel was complex and compelling. Akemi’s writing is emotional, realistic, and beautiful, and I’m definitely picking up more of her work in the future. If you can handle the content, I absolutely recommend you do the same.