I found out about this from seeing a couple of reading lists circulating during Trans Rights Readathon, and I’m glad I did!! Heartbreaking, but not gratuitous in its violence—it provided a much-needed humanization of trans sex workers. Some parts were so poignant that I wished I’d known enough Spanish to read them in its original text. I thought the magical realism elements mostly worked, in the context of the trans main characters (travestis) it kind of tied into the way they were seen.

I also loved the sisterhood central to this story! There are moments where the travestis chat like friends, or offer support when one of the girls can’t receive it anywhere else. It’s an unconventional kind of family, especially as the different members join and leave throughout. But still, in a story with so much transphobia and danger, for the characters to have this kind of community was absolutely vital. I thought it was interesting seeing how much it shaped the main character, because of how young she is(on the far younger end of adulthood).

I had to deduct a star from my rating because the timeline of the frequent vignettes was sometimes confusing, and although I overall liked this book, appreciating something you’re actively figuring out the narrative structure/timeline of is easier said than done lol. Maybe the translation has to do with it(at least partially)? 

I don’t think this will be for everyone, because of both the subject matter and some of the plot elements (the magical realism is a hit or miss for readers), but I’d personally recommend it.