reubenalbatross 's review for:

Sistersong by Lucy Holland
5.0
challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Holy fucking Christ. This book is EVERYTHING. 

I can’t even begin to describe my feelings about it, but what I can say is that its some of the best trans rep I have ever read. There wasn’t a single second of C’s journey that didn’t ring true to my experience, and for that I’m ever grateful to Holland. I also adored C’s relationship with Gwen, and that it was a m/f relationship, which is so hard to find in books about transmen. 

When I reached p.222, I knew I was in safe hands: 

’To my parents and my sisters, I am a woman in a man’s garb. They have never seen anything else. They may never see who I am.’ My gaze is as direct as hers. ‘Maybe I can’t blame them, but I also can’t accept their version of me. Because it’s not true.’ 

I haven’t spoken to honestly to anyone. But Gwen is not of our hold. She has never known me as a daughter of the royal house. Her first sight of me was of me as I am. Perhaps that makes all the difference. I hope it makes all the difference.’