RTC.

3.5 stars

RTC.

Recommended by Jackie @ Death by Tsundoku.

En la universidad estoy tomando una clase de la literatura hispánica, pero sé que necesito más práctica para apreciarla y comprenderla a fondo.

★ 3.5 stars ★

Funny how I somehow related to this less after I actually experienced a breakup. In part it's because I'm less inclined to let the pervasive homophobic jokes slide, and I'm also less sympathetic to Min's starry-eyed daydreaming when it's so far removed from her reality. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood to reread this, idk.

Ed's sister Joan is still pretty cool, though.

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[2018 review - 4 stars]

I loved this book. The illustrations are charming, simple yet nuanced like the objects being portrayed and the relationship they in turn illustrate. It’s symbolism at its most overt.

As a narrator and an individual Min is wonderfully direct, unflinchingly honest, and has a delightful adventurous appreciation of the world and people around her. She’s everyone who’s ever been hurt, who’s ever hurt their friends (inadvertently or not); she’s the version of my high school self that I like to remember: quirks and obliviousness and all.

rep:

Spoiler

Black authors [Cassie & Piper], Jamaican immigrant author [Winnie], gay (white) author [Juda]

RTC.

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CONVERSION: 12.25 / 15 = 4.5 stars

Prose: 7 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 9 / 10
Credibility: 8 / 10
Organization / Structure: 9 / 10

Emotional Impact / Interest: 5 / 5
Rereadability: 3 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5

content warnings:

Spoiler

major char death(s), loss of loved ones, death of a child, grief, emotional & physical abuse, child labor & abuse, psychological & physical torture, hunting & skinning hares (for food), non-graphic description of mutilation, blood magic, mass murder, racism, classism

rep:

Spoiler

Arabic-inspired setting, ethnically diverse cast

★ 2.5 stars ★

RTC.

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CONVERSION: 7.27 / 15 = 2.5 stars

Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 3 / 10
Emotional Impact: 3 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: 2 / 5
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5

I received an advance review copy from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.

content warnings:

Spoiler

rep:

Spoiler

★ 3.5 stars ★

RTC.

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CONVERSION: 9.13 / 15 = 3.5 stars

Prose: 5 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 7 / 10
Emotional Impact: 5 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 5 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 2 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 3 / 5