I loved her portrayal of Leia, especially how present Carrie Fisher seemed throughout. I want more books about Leia.

3.5 Honestly I've tried to read this book multiple times years ago and never really got all the way into it, but right now the slowness was what I was looking for. Throughout there were pieces of both time-based and generally and always icky misogyny (and for sure ableism). Regarding looks and young womanhood, the way Iris thinks about herself reads to me as odd. But it's a very interesting character book, with raveling mysteries and Maguire's way of showing ugliness of human character kind of matter-of-factly. And I loved the juxtaposition of the rest of the book and then the epilogue, which is really what made a difference for me.

WOW. WOW I LOVE THIS COMPLEX GRITTY WORLD AND THESE WILD CHARACTERS SO MUCH

It took me a while to be in a headspace where I could read this but I'm so glad I have now, and so glad this book was written. Reading teaches us empathy, and although I have tried to learn as much as I can about Black Lives Matter and engage when I can, Starr's perspective is far outside my own. I am grateful to have had the chance to hear a fictionalized version of what is definitely real life for many people.

literally my favorite book

This is such a cool concept. Obviously many of these were better than the others - some were like, good because they were weird and bad and some were really poignant and beautiful.