Take a photo of a barcode or cover
laurelthebooks's Reviews (662)
This book contains aliens making donuts, a trans runaway, a teacher trading in her students's souls, scrumptious food descriptions, and some intense violin music-making. Talk about a bit of a rollercoaster.
The story follows Katrina, a trans runaway who happens to be a violin prodigy as well, something violin teacher Shizuka Satomi is thrilled to discover. It turns out that both Katrina and Shizuka have much to learn from each other, and training Katrina up and then turning her soul over to Hell isn't quite the easy road Shizuka expects. Along the way, you encounter Lan Tran, an alien starship captain and donut shop owner, who happens to think Shizuka Satomi is stunning - an opinion returned in kind, and her assorted non-human family.
Lucy Matia doesn't interact much with our main characters, but you get pieces of her own story as she works on repairing broken instruments while also simultaneously building up her own determination to break free from the burden of the expectations of her dead father and grandfather. We do get a demon as well. Mr. Tremon Philippe (blegh) makes pit stops to check up on Shizuka's soul collecting progress. I do have to give him some credit though - many of the mouthwatering food descriptions are in his scenes with Shizuka. Not to mention the fact that this book leaves you seriously craving donuts. I don't even like donuts that much!
There are heartbreaking thoughts and scenes as well as empowering ones, and several of the happenings and mindsets you see from the characters fall into both those categories. The harshness is softened a bit by the comfort offered, but Aoki doesn't shy away from describing what reality can be like for trans teens (expect mentions of sex work, people being assholes, and the reality of facing a world that seems made to exclude you) so don't dive in without being aware. This book is rough, and it hurts, but it also offers kindness and understanding in the face of adversity and gives a dream in the form of supportive adults and pursuing your talent without worry for resources.
The bonus love story between a donut-shop owner/starship captain/alien and the violin teacher nicknamed 'The Queen of Hell' was really just icing on the cake. If you don't mind a rough story filled with plenty of hope and some funky, funny moments I highly suggest picking up Light From Uncommon Stars. It was a read that will stick with me for a good long while.
The story follows Katrina, a trans runaway who happens to be a violin prodigy as well, something violin teacher Shizuka Satomi is thrilled to discover. It turns out that both Katrina and Shizuka have much to learn from each other, and training Katrina up and then turning her soul over to Hell isn't quite the easy road Shizuka expects. Along the way, you encounter Lan Tran, an alien starship captain and donut shop owner, who happens to think Shizuka Satomi is stunning - an opinion returned in kind, and her assorted non-human family.
Lucy Matia doesn't interact much with our main characters, but you get pieces of her own story as she works on repairing broken instruments while also simultaneously building up her own determination to break free from the burden of the expectations of her dead father and grandfather. We do get a demon as well. Mr. Tremon Philippe (blegh) makes pit stops to check up on Shizuka's soul collecting progress. I do have to give him some credit though - many of the mouthwatering food descriptions are in his scenes with Shizuka. Not to mention the fact that this book leaves you seriously craving donuts. I don't even like donuts that much!
There are heartbreaking thoughts and scenes as well as empowering ones, and several of the happenings and mindsets you see from the characters fall into both those categories. The harshness is softened a bit by the comfort offered, but Aoki doesn't shy away from describing what reality can be like for trans teens (expect mentions of sex work, people being assholes, and the reality of facing a world that seems made to exclude you) so don't dive in without being aware. This book is rough, and it hurts, but it also offers kindness and understanding in the face of adversity and gives a dream in the form of supportive adults and pursuing your talent without worry for resources.
The bonus love story between a donut-shop owner/starship captain/alien and the violin teacher nicknamed 'The Queen of Hell' was really just icing on the cake. If you don't mind a rough story filled with plenty of hope and some funky, funny moments I highly suggest picking up Light From Uncommon Stars. It was a read that will stick with me for a good long while.
.jpg)
A fun and fast read, there were some fascinating uses of the supernatural and I always appreciate the Victorian England setting. It took me some time to jive with the main character's mindset, but once I settled into it the story kept me reading.
Not a necessarily deep novel it was still full of humor, YA appropriate sexy times, and some great characters.
Thumbs up from me :-)
Not a necessarily deep novel it was still full of humor, YA appropriate sexy times, and some great characters.
Thumbs up from me :-)
