reread I wanted to do a reread of this before I go see the musical in May. I know I have a lot of nostalgia for this book, that doesn’t mean it holds up any less. This book is taught in schools for a reason. It is what jumpstarts a lot of kids love for stories. Personally I think it’s because these characters are so real and relatable. I could give a more in depth review but it kinda feels unnecessary because of how well known the story is. I was just nice to be back with these kids. I truly love this book.

So I would first like to say that I found this book super informative about the transition process. Especially top surgery and it’s aftercare. I found that really interesting and helpful. That being said I was underwhelmed by the story in general. I think it should’ve either focused more on the horror or more on the contemporary stuff. It felt like it was trying to be too much. Like I liked the horror stuff but I felt like there just wasn’t enough of it. I also really wish the writing wasn’t so dry. I felt as if it had no personality. The mystery aspect was compelling and did keep me reading. The cast was super lovable and I just wanted what was best for them. The ending was really what bumped it up to a 2.75.

So I really loved how real and emotional this book was. I was truly routing for Shane and Eva the entire time. It’s a beautiful story about complex and complicated individuals who love all that the other is. This story is truly one of being seen and loved for all that you are. The good, the bad, the difficult and even the ugly. If the person truly loves you then they should love the whole you. Also we don’t and should not try to fix the ones we love. We should be there to help and support but at the end of the day you can not fix others. There were some issues I had with some ending stuff that brought the rating down for me. I also wish her chronic illness was present in an intimate scene because I think that would’ve been a great time to have a conversation about intimacy and chronic illness. Overall I really enjoyed it and will definitely recommend it.

Where do I even start for a review. I don’t think anything I say can truly do this book justice. I guess I will start with the many themes that make up this beautiful story. The few main ones being colonialism, propaganda, and how those desperate to keep power write history. We see how one power hungry person can use others as pawns for their own gain while making them think it is an honor. The lies that those in power tell you to keep you down and on board with what they want were so present in this one. Discussions of what it means to love a nation that has no love for you and how to deal with that was so well done. Moving onto the prose. I could write a dissertation on how truly beautiful this book is written. There are quotes that felt like a punch to the gut. It truly feels like you are being told a story by the bard who chronicled it. Lastly the characters! Una and Owen are everything to me. I wanted them to have a happily ever after so badly. Every time we watched them have to reset a part of me broke with them. There is a specific life chapter that had me sobbing so fucking much. Overall I think everyone so give this a go. It’s truly a beautiful piece of art and the power of stories and history.

This was a beautifully written story about self love, self worth and being who you choose to be. Freddy and Ro were both looking for love and never thinking they were good enough. Truly this one is for the people pleasers. You will feel very seen. I love how tender their relationship was and not just when they were romantically involved but when they were becoming friends. Watching them learn to trust and put away their masks with each other was beautiful. So when they finally got together it felt earned and I was happy for them. Sadie and Rhys are still my favorite but I really liked this one as well.

Rating is 3.75

This is what I want in a fantasy book. The world was so well thought out. I loved the different cultures on top of different clans in cultures. The multiple POV and time jumps were great and kept me engaged the entire time. The magic system was so interesting and I just want more. I loved the politics and scheming. Genuinely just a great fantasy book from start to finish. My only gripe that kept it from being a five star was the one relationship felt odd to me and made me uncomfortable. I felt that the characters weren’t in the same level of maturity and there is an age gap that made it solidify my feeling of discomfort. I look forward to the rest of the series.