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evelynsharry's review against another edition
3.0
would have been better if it wasn't so repetitive, plus the love interest is the most basic non interesting guy ever
maggie_we's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
tiannagripp's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book while researching what was going on in the Young Adult genre as far as LGBT Fiction. I found this book and was so pleased! I loved the way that the author broke down the terminology for a person who was unfamiliar. I thought this would be an interesting book for young adults to read as well as older people who know little about the subject. It was also just an enjoyable story to read.
One of my favorite parts in this story was about how transitioning effected everyone else around Luna. So many times, I've thought about this from the point of view of the person going through this transition. Who has to convince their family of something that they know and feel, but so few actually understand. But I never thought of it from the angle of someone like Regan who is supportive, who loves her sister, but still can't keep giving so much of herself without losing herself in the process.
I liked that while Luna is who the book is named after, Regan is who the story is about. And while her life sometimes paled in comparison to her sister, I think that's why it was so important to hear about hers. Because just because she's not the one going through a major change, in a way she was. And her life was just as valid as whatever Luna was going through. I really enjoyed the way this was told. Very to the point and enjoyable.
One of my favorite parts in this story was about how transitioning effected everyone else around Luna. So many times, I've thought about this from the point of view of the person going through this transition. Who has to convince their family of something that they know and feel, but so few actually understand. But I never thought of it from the angle of someone like Regan who is supportive, who loves her sister, but still can't keep giving so much of herself without losing herself in the process.
I liked that while Luna is who the book is named after, Regan is who the story is about. And while her life sometimes paled in comparison to her sister, I think that's why it was so important to hear about hers. Because just because she's not the one going through a major change, in a way she was. And her life was just as valid as whatever Luna was going through. I really enjoyed the way this was told. Very to the point and enjoyable.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
4.0
This book covers a lot of the relevant issues and is well-done.
A few things I liked: the brother-sister relationship; the way the pronouns switch back and forth, even in the same scene (demonstrating a lot about how Regan sees Liam/Luna); the use of flashbacks.
A few things I didn't like: Regan's totally defeatist attitude about EVERYTHING; the mom and her weird dissociative actions (especially at the end) and how that's never really dealt with; how many times a simple conversation (or a few well-placed questions) could have cleared up so many things for everyone!!! (I'm not very good at doing this myself, so that's probably why I noticed that.)
All in all, a good read.
A few things I liked: the brother-sister relationship; the way the pronouns switch back and forth, even in the same scene (demonstrating a lot about how Regan sees Liam/Luna); the use of flashbacks.
A few things I didn't like: Regan's totally defeatist attitude about EVERYTHING; the mom and her weird dissociative actions (especially at the end) and how that's never really dealt with; how many times a simple conversation (or a few well-placed questions) could have cleared up so many things for everyone!!! (I'm not very good at doing this myself, so that's probably why I noticed that.)
All in all, a good read.
ethemcd2023's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very good book. I loved the concept and thought it was beautifully written. Many parts had me skipping over many details (as a good, suspenseful book does) and I was so captivated! The characters were amazing and I really enjoyed it. The messages behind it were great. I liked the flashbacks that Regan had, but they didn't really show up as often as I'd have liked them to. Also, why did those memories go away? Why did she push them away? Still, an amazing book!
grey__'s review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
adajean2023's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It doesn't take a lot of pages to make a memorable book. Luna is proof of that. At less than 300 pages there is more depth than some books that are 700 pages long. That being said I do wish I had known a bit more about what happened to Luna after the last bit. Reagan is a great sister but sometimes especially the scene with the babysitting where she was with Chris, how mad she got, in my opinion misplaced anger, I would like to shake some sense into that girl. smh. Anyways, I read Luna in one day and I recommend it to everyone. Yes everyone. Open your mind and your heart will follow. My first 5 star read this June and may be my only 5 star read this month, we will see about that though. time will tell.
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
4.0
High school sophomore Regan is a keeper of secrets. Her older brother Liam has been harboring a biggie-- (s)he is transgender, and posing as Liam for his parents and teachers and friends is slowly sucking the life out of him. Every evening, in the privacy of the basement that the two share, Liam becomes Luna, and Regan sees how much Luna wants to share her true self with the world. But their mom is disengaging from the family, escaping into work, and their dad continues to push Liam to be more of a "real" man. Regan is tired of being Liam/ Luna's confidante and having nobody to confide in herself. She's tired of the pretense. But when Luna decides that it's time to start her transformation, Regan dreads the impact that it's going to have on everyone in the family, and on their community. While secondary characters are fairly two-dimensional, this is an affirming story that offers a poignant glimpse into how life can get messy when societal expectations clash with being true to oneself.
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this young adult story!
While the main character in this story is technically Regan (Luna's younger sister), the main character is Regan's older sibling Luna (Liam is his dead name). Luna has identified as a girl early on in her life, but knew to hide it. Dad is an ass, and Mom tries to appease Dad.
Luna, approaching 18 years old, is reaching a breaking point and wants to come out as a woman. Regan as the younger sibling is the only one who knows the truth, and the reader sees how she vacillates between being supportive and embarrassed.
I think choosing to tell the story from Regan's perspective allows the reader to see a fuller picture and creates empathy for those who are allies or who are trying to understand a trans person in their lives.
This novel is 20 years from publication, so - had it been written today, the author would have likely changed some things. Still, being from the early 2000s, I think this is a standout book.
The airport scene - I think this was written post 9/11, but it came across as written before the lovely TSA procedures.
While the main character in this story is technically Regan (Luna's younger sister), the main character is Regan's older sibling Luna (Liam is his dead name). Luna has identified as a girl early on in her life, but knew to hide it. Dad is an ass, and Mom tries to appease Dad.
Luna, approaching 18 years old, is reaching a breaking point and wants to come out as a woman. Regan as the younger sibling is the only one who knows the truth, and the reader sees how she vacillates between being supportive and embarrassed.
I think choosing to tell the story from Regan's perspective allows the reader to see a fuller picture and creates empathy for those who are allies or who are trying to understand a trans person in their lives.
This novel is 20 years from publication, so - had it been written today, the author would have likely changed some things. Still, being from the early 2000s, I think this is a standout book.
The airport scene - I think this was written post 9/11, but it came across as written before the lovely TSA procedures.
bookph1le's review against another edition
5.0
It's been a while since I've felt like a book sucker punched me square in the gut, but this one fits the bill. It's not what I'd call a perfect book. There are times when I could hear the author's voice more than the characters, but it does what a good book should: it makes you feel deep and gut-wrenching emotions. I'll try to write a more complete review when and if I manage to gather my thoughts, but this is the kind of book that's important for people to read. Maybe if everyone read something like this and put themselves in Luna's shoes, the world could become a more empathetic place.