jenny_librarian's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I keep saying I'm not a fan of magical realism, but books of that genre keep popping up with intriguing summaries, and I keep requesting them, so I guess I don't hate the genre that much. As always with magical realism, though, there were some parts that just didn't work for me.
What did work was the struggle Pie (still wondering if it should be pronounced "pee", like in Pietà, or "pie", like the dessert, though) went through in relation to what she thought people expected of her. It's an interesting concept to explore, and I think it was masterfully done here.
There's a lot of pain and trauma packed into this book, but it doesn't weigh the story down. It's crafted well enough to keep the reader going despite the general aura of sadness for past abuses.
I also want to point out that Pie seems to be ace-coded (possibly demisexual, if not asexual), and that was a welcome addition to a sapphic-flavoured story.
I keep saying I'm not a fan of magical realism, but books of that genre keep popping up with intriguing summaries, and I keep requesting them, so I guess I don't hate the genre that much. As always with magical realism, though, there were some parts that just didn't work for me.
What did work was the struggle Pie (still wondering if it should be pronounced "pee", like in Pietà, or "pie", like the dessert, though) went through in relation to what she thought people expected of her. It's an interesting concept to explore, and I think it was masterfully done here.
There's a lot of pain and trauma packed into this book, but it doesn't weigh the story down. It's crafted well enough to keep the reader going despite the general aura of sadness for past abuses.
I also want to point out that Pie seems to be ace-coded (possibly demisexual, if not asexual), and that was a welcome addition to a sapphic-flavoured story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Child abuse
Minor: Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
spinesinaline's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was very good, thanks to Penguin Canada for an e-ARC!
It’s a very interesting premise and I enjoyed this much more than I expected! A girl and her mother are invisible for reasons unknown and live a nomadic life, trying to find different places to crash where they won’t be noticed.
The themes of this one sneak up on you and it’s beautiful! As much as it’s a curious story about an invisible trait, it’s also one about coming to terms with trauma and mental illness, combating loneliness and finding a place for yourself in the world, and more simply a story of teens doing teen stuff, which is beautiful in its own way.
It feels that there are some intended metaphors here for disability and neurodivergence, especially in the later half of the book as we meet more characters. It’s not explicit representation in most cases but I would be interested in finding some own voices reviews, as the comparison here left me a little uneasy.
I did really appreciate that the mistakes and harm characters cause are directly addressed. Some of these characters do some really hurtful things and rather than brush them aside for a quick resolution, they do have to find ways to make amends and recognize why their behaviour was harmful.
It’s a very interesting premise and I enjoyed this much more than I expected! A girl and her mother are invisible for reasons unknown and live a nomadic life, trying to find different places to crash where they won’t be noticed.
The themes of this one sneak up on you and it’s beautiful! As much as it’s a curious story about an invisible trait, it’s also one about coming to terms with trauma and mental illness, combating loneliness and finding a place for yourself in the world, and more simply a story of teens doing teen stuff, which is beautiful in its own way.
It feels that there are some intended metaphors here for disability and neurodivergence, especially in the later half of the book as we meet more characters. It’s not explicit representation in most cases but I would be interested in finding some own voices reviews, as the comparison here left me a little uneasy.
I did really appreciate that the mistakes and harm characters cause are directly addressed. Some of these characters do some really hurtful things and rather than brush them aside for a quick resolution, they do have to find ways to make amends and recognize why their behaviour was harmful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Pedophilia
Minor: Kidnapping, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
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