dancevera's review
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dlberglund's review
Talented authors, and great representation in this book but the side characters ruined it for me.
I really did like the main characters a lot, but the antagonists were so thoroughly antagonistic and ridiculously mean that I just couldn't handle it. Stopped at 37% through, because there are books I would rather be spending my time on.
I really did like the main characters a lot, but the antagonists were so thoroughly antagonistic and ridiculously mean that I just couldn't handle it. Stopped at 37% through, because there are books I would rather be spending my time on.
biblioemily's review
4.0
3.5 stars. There is so much great stuff happening here. I just have a hard time with magical realism (though it was very well incorporated here) and it seemed to drag a bit in the middle for me. Still an excellent book and OMG I love the cover!
natverse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
zohannah's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? No
4.25
mora55's review
5.0
i loved the friendships in this book so so much and also the quintanilla sisters
smw33's review
4.0
Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia & Anna-Marie McLemore
Miss Meteor is about two girls who were best friends. One of those girls was literally made from stardust, caused by the meteor after which the town was named. Lita is about to turn back into stardust and endeavors to make the most of the time she has left. Chicky, her former best friend, wants to prove that girls who look like them can compete alongside Barbie clones in the town’s all-important beauty pageant.
The book goes back and forth between perspectives (Chicky and Lita), each author writing one of the characters. I appreciate this as it gives the reader further insight into the characters and events in the book. We get to witness the struggles each girl faces in the keeping of their respective secrets. These aren’t secrets to the reader, but to each other as well as the other people with whom they interact.
These authors created realistic characters with whom the reader empathizes. Teenagers identify with the complicated nature of identity, friendships, and hardships. Adults remember this time in their lives and empathize with these concepts. Readers of any age easily become emotionally invested.
This book contains queer characters! One of the main characters is pansexual. I’ve only ever seen this type of queer person in one other book. As a pansexual myself, I greatly appreciate this addition. Miss Meteor also includes a transgender character. Aspects of the book cover these topics due to the importance with regard to character identity. The authors notably do not use queer bodies as plot points. I appreciate this as well.
This is a well-executed plot that incorporates magical realism alongside contemporary realism. I would consider this book an easy read. One gets absorbed into the story, invested in the characters, and intrigued by the plot.
Miss Meteor is about two girls who were best friends. One of those girls was literally made from stardust, caused by the meteor after which the town was named. Lita is about to turn back into stardust and endeavors to make the most of the time she has left. Chicky, her former best friend, wants to prove that girls who look like them can compete alongside Barbie clones in the town’s all-important beauty pageant.
The book goes back and forth between perspectives (Chicky and Lita), each author writing one of the characters. I appreciate this as it gives the reader further insight into the characters and events in the book. We get to witness the struggles each girl faces in the keeping of their respective secrets. These aren’t secrets to the reader, but to each other as well as the other people with whom they interact.
These authors created realistic characters with whom the reader empathizes. Teenagers identify with the complicated nature of identity, friendships, and hardships. Adults remember this time in their lives and empathize with these concepts. Readers of any age easily become emotionally invested.
This book contains queer characters! One of the main characters is pansexual. I’ve only ever seen this type of queer person in one other book. As a pansexual myself, I greatly appreciate this addition. Miss Meteor also includes a transgender character. Aspects of the book cover these topics due to the importance with regard to character identity. The authors notably do not use queer bodies as plot points. I appreciate this as well.
This is a well-executed plot that incorporates magical realism alongside contemporary realism. I would consider this book an easy read. One gets absorbed into the story, invested in the characters, and intrigued by the plot.
impybelle's review
5.0
Some books fill you with a fizzy, bubbly joy reading them and you can't wait to finish them even as you wish they could last forever. Miss Meteor is one of those books.
I love Chicky, Lita, Junior, and Cole, and their adventures could have gone on forever and I wouldn't have minded at all. Pretty sure that I read almost this entire book with a goofy happy grin and while it's not all sunshine and roses (moonlight and stardust?) not once did I believe that the book wouldn't stick the landing. It did- and then some.
I love Chicky, Lita, Junior, and Cole, and their adventures could have gone on forever and I wouldn't have minded at all. Pretty sure that I read almost this entire book with a goofy happy grin and while it's not all sunshine and roses (moonlight and stardust?) not once did I believe that the book wouldn't stick the landing. It did- and then some.
theshenners's review
5.0
Also found on my blog.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher as part of the blog tour hosted by Karina @ Afire Pages in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my evaluation of the book.
I’ve read and loved every book by Anna-Marie McLemore and Tehlor Kay Mejia (minus Paola Santiago which is on my TBR), so I was prepared to love this book, which is their first collaboration together, and I did.
I’m not from a small town, but the narrow-mindedness of Meteor reminded me of my own childhood spent in majority white cities at a majority white schools. Lita and Chicky’s status as misfits definitely resonated with my experiences from when I was a teen. While I was not subjected to the slurs that they were, I was made to feel lesser, like an alien for my race and my gender nonconformity. People can be cruel.
One of the things I love the most about this book is the themes woven into it. Both Lita and Chicky struggle to defend themselves and feel confident in their skin at the beginning, and as the story progresses, they grow so much. In particular, I thought it was cool that they were each able to reclaim something that had formerly been weaponized against them, taking ownership of the pain and transforming it into something affirming. The ending felt so triumphant, and I’m so proud of these two girls.
The other supporting characters, especially Junior and Cole (who is a trans boy) were also well developed and had their own journeys that were intertwined with those of Lita and Chicky. The four of them had an interesting dynamic, and I loved how friendship was at the center of the book, not only between Lita and Chicky but also between Lita and Cole and between Chicky and Junior. The intimacy between them was poignant and served as a solid basis for their respective romantic arcs, which were less about falling in love than realizing and/or articulating that they were in love.
Chicky’s sisters were so much fun and provided a lot of comedic relief in the story with their bickering and wit. As former participants and runners-up in the pageant, they served as Lita’s Fab Five (or rather Fab Three?), providing equal parts fashion consultation and moral support. You couldn’t find a better crew.
I also liked the way the setting was developed, with the tourist attractions and space theme. It gave the town a unique character while also providing context for the magical realism elements of the story. The way Lita’s starry origins and impending return to the sky/cosmos reinforced the themes about belonging and identity was poetic, to say the least. In other words, Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature style shines through in Lita’s narrative.
Last but not least, I really liked Cole’s character. He’s out and has been out for a while prior to the start of the book, so his arc isn’t about coming out or seeking validation for his gender. While he does face some trans-antagonism, his story is more about the relationship he has with his sister who is toxic and verbally abusive toward people like Lita and Chicky. He is a person with problems not unlike the problems of cis people. He’s athletic and articulate and astute. I’m sure everyone will love him.
In short, Miss Meteor is a heartfelt, triumphant coming of age story dedicated to all the people who felt like they don’t/didn’t belong.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher as part of the blog tour hosted by Karina @ Afire Pages in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my evaluation of the book.
I’ve read and loved every book by Anna-Marie McLemore and Tehlor Kay Mejia (minus Paola Santiago which is on my TBR), so I was prepared to love this book, which is their first collaboration together, and I did.
I’m not from a small town, but the narrow-mindedness of Meteor reminded me of my own childhood spent in majority white cities at a majority white schools. Lita and Chicky’s status as misfits definitely resonated with my experiences from when I was a teen. While I was not subjected to the slurs that they were, I was made to feel lesser, like an alien for my race and my gender nonconformity. People can be cruel.
One of the things I love the most about this book is the themes woven into it. Both Lita and Chicky struggle to defend themselves and feel confident in their skin at the beginning, and as the story progresses, they grow so much. In particular, I thought it was cool that they were each able to reclaim something that had formerly been weaponized against them, taking ownership of the pain and transforming it into something affirming. The ending felt so triumphant, and I’m so proud of these two girls.
The other supporting characters, especially Junior and Cole (who is a trans boy) were also well developed and had their own journeys that were intertwined with those of Lita and Chicky. The four of them had an interesting dynamic, and I loved how friendship was at the center of the book, not only between Lita and Chicky but also between Lita and Cole and between Chicky and Junior. The intimacy between them was poignant and served as a solid basis for their respective romantic arcs, which were less about falling in love than realizing and/or articulating that they were in love.
Chicky’s sisters were so much fun and provided a lot of comedic relief in the story with their bickering and wit. As former participants and runners-up in the pageant, they served as Lita’s Fab Five (or rather Fab Three?), providing equal parts fashion consultation and moral support. You couldn’t find a better crew.
I also liked the way the setting was developed, with the tourist attractions and space theme. It gave the town a unique character while also providing context for the magical realism elements of the story. The way Lita’s starry origins and impending return to the sky/cosmos reinforced the themes about belonging and identity was poetic, to say the least. In other words, Anna-Marie McLemore’s signature style shines through in Lita’s narrative.
Last but not least, I really liked Cole’s character. He’s out and has been out for a while prior to the start of the book, so his arc isn’t about coming out or seeking validation for his gender. While he does face some trans-antagonism, his story is more about the relationship he has with his sister who is toxic and verbally abusive toward people like Lita and Chicky. He is a person with problems not unlike the problems of cis people. He’s athletic and articulate and astute. I’m sure everyone will love him.
In short, Miss Meteor is a heartfelt, triumphant coming of age story dedicated to all the people who felt like they don’t/didn’t belong.