breadedbookpages's review against another edition
4.0
catladyreba's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, this was an intense read. And there was a lot going on here. A lot. And while I am appreciative of Patel tackling several tough topics, I felt like the ending was rushed and unsatisfactory, and some of the loose ends drove me nuts. Not to spoil anything, but what happened to Rasa's siblings? Especially her younger brother. I also felt like I got to know Rasa much better than Jaya, and I would have liked to feel more of a connection to Jaya.
Things I liked? I did love the range of diverse characters in the story. I also really felt connected to many of the characters, especially Rasa. Also, the nods to Nirvana and 90's music was much appreciated. I enjoyed the way Patel portrayed the ugly as well as the beautiful parts of Hawaii and it's storied past.
A slight caution, this book deals with some very heavy topics including drug use, rape, domestic abuse, suicide, bullying, sexual situations, strong language, transphobia, prostitution, and more. Definitely a read for more mature, or older readers. But, an important one that takes an unflinching look, no sugar coating, at the realities many people deal with every day.
Things I liked? I did love the range of diverse characters in the story. I also really felt connected to many of the characters, especially Rasa. Also, the nods to Nirvana and 90's music was much appreciated. I enjoyed the way Patel portrayed the ugly as well as the beautiful parts of Hawaii and it's storied past.
A slight caution, this book deals with some very heavy topics including drug use, rape, domestic abuse, suicide, bullying, sexual situations, strong language, transphobia, prostitution, and more. Definitely a read for more mature, or older readers. But, an important one that takes an unflinching look, no sugar coating, at the realities many people deal with every day.
dancingprince's review against another edition
4.0
Very intense - deals with lots of triggering real life issues. Incredible representation of mental health, culture, and queer identities.
emeelee's review against another edition
3.0
This is a tough one to rate. I think on a personal enjoyment level this is in the range of 2-2.5 stars. But I'm rounding up because I can think of several reluctant reader friends I had in high school that I would have recommended this to. And, geez, how gorgeous is that cover??
This book has so many great things going for it, especially in the realm of representation. Jaya is a first-generation American son of Gujarati Indian immigrants, and a closeted transboy (his parents and schoolmates suspect he's a butch lesbian). His parents have a dysfunctional relationship: they've achieved the "American Dream" of wealth and success, yet Jaya's father is a cheater and his mother has developed bulimia to deal with her feelings. Rasa is the eldest daughter of a prostitute who tries to take care of their siblings in a poor and unstable home. She doesn't know who her father is, and I think she's at least some native Hawaiian? When her mother abandons her family (after grooming Rasa to view selling her body as empowerment), Rasa starts turning tricks herself in order to support her siblings. The story is set on Oahu, and it's clear that the author lives there herself with the amount of detail and ambiance this book has. There's a lot of Hawaiian and Gujarati vocabulary throughout, and Hawaiian pidgin gets a shout out which I was pleased by.
Jaya and Rasa features a myriad of themes, including: racial discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, pedophilia/ephebophilia, prostitution, child prostitution, rape/sexual assault of minors, poverty, colonialism, cultural appropriation, systemic oppression, depression, eating disorder, suicide, and drug use. It is written in very simplistic prose, which I think is one of the things that makes it engrossing and easier to swallow some of the heavier plot points. Yet, it also takes away from some of the emotional depth that these characters and situations should have. Overall, I think that this book had great bones, but poor execution. (I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation or execution of the various themes.)
Though it's purported to be a love story, the romance was the weakest part. Jaya and Rasa don't even meet until halfway through the book, at around page 150. What proceeds from there is basically a total love-at-first-sight, I-can-see-clearly-now, we-have-the-same-taste-in-music-so-we-must-be-meant-for-each-other teen romance. The book ends very abruptly, after a couple very drama-heavy chapters. There's hardly any resolution and several plotlines don't get wrapped up. Even if the rest of the book were perfect, the ending would be a huge letdown.
Several times through my reading, I thought it seemed like this book ought to have been set in the mid-to-late '90s. Especially because Nirvana and other grunge music/culture has such a consistent presence in the plot. A lot of the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, especially some of the lingo. (Then again, idk, maybe people still say "laters" in Hawaii?)
In the end, while I was interested throughout my reading, I can think of several ways Jaya and Rasa could have been improved to be stronger overall (For example: starting the story with Jaya and Rasa's meeting, and then revealing their backstories slowly throughout instead of presenting it all as the first half of the book). I still think this will fit the interests of a lot of teen readers, especially a certain set of reluctant readers who enjoy stories of teens with lives harder than theirs-- and with great intersectional representation as a bonus.
This book has so many great things going for it, especially in the realm of representation. Jaya is a first-generation American son of Gujarati Indian immigrants, and a closeted transboy (his parents and schoolmates suspect he's a butch lesbian). His parents have a dysfunctional relationship: they've achieved the "American Dream" of wealth and success, yet Jaya's father is a cheater and his mother has developed bulimia to deal with her feelings. Rasa is the eldest daughter of a prostitute who tries to take care of their siblings in a poor and unstable home. She doesn't know who her father is, and I think she's at least some native Hawaiian? When her mother abandons her family (after grooming Rasa to view selling her body as empowerment), Rasa starts turning tricks herself in order to support her siblings. The story is set on Oahu, and it's clear that the author lives there herself with the amount of detail and ambiance this book has. There's a lot of Hawaiian and Gujarati vocabulary throughout, and Hawaiian pidgin gets a shout out which I was pleased by.
Jaya and Rasa features a myriad of themes, including: racial discrimination, homophobia, transphobia, pedophilia/ephebophilia, prostitution, child prostitution, rape/sexual assault of minors, poverty, colonialism, cultural appropriation, systemic oppression, depression, eating disorder, suicide, and drug use. It is written in very simplistic prose, which I think is one of the things that makes it engrossing and easier to swallow some of the heavier plot points. Yet, it also takes away from some of the emotional depth that these characters and situations should have. Overall, I think that this book had great bones, but poor execution. (I can't speak to the accuracy of the representation or execution of the various themes.)
Though it's purported to be a love story, the romance was the weakest part. Jaya and Rasa don't even meet until halfway through the book, at around page 150. What proceeds from there is basically a total love-at-first-sight, I-can-see-clearly-now, we-have-the-same-taste-in-music-so-we-must-be-meant-for-each-other teen romance. The book ends very abruptly, after a couple very drama-heavy chapters
Spoiler
, with Jaya convincing Rasa to go to the police about her situation. Aside from this being a strangely quick and easy decision for them to make (I find it strange that either of them would implicitly trust the police to handle this situation well? Rasa even knew her mother had officers as Johns...), it's a very strange place to end the storySeveral times through my reading, I thought it seemed like this book ought to have been set in the mid-to-late '90s. Especially because Nirvana and other grunge music/culture has such a consistent presence in the plot. A lot of the dialogue felt stilted and unnatural, especially some of the lingo. (Then again, idk, maybe people still say "laters" in Hawaii?)
In the end, while I was interested throughout my reading, I can think of several ways Jaya and Rasa could have been improved to be stronger overall (For example: starting the story with Jaya and Rasa's meeting, and then revealing their backstories slowly throughout instead of presenting it all as the first half of the book). I still think this will fit the interests of a lot of teen readers, especially a certain set of reluctant readers who enjoy stories of teens with lives harder than theirs-- and with great intersectional representation as a bonus.
indoordame's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
whatjennyreadsinmontana's review against another edition
1.0
Here's the thing. This was a 4 star read for me until the end. We spend years with Jaya and Rasa. Rasa goes from a neglected child to a teenager turning tricks like her mother to put food in her siblings bellies. Jaya goes through recognizing who he truly is and coming out to his best friend.
Now comes the concerns & warnings⚠️
This book contains so much trauma. The triggers I wrote down while reading are sexual assault, prostitution, sex trafficking, eating disorder, homophobia, transphobia, suicidal ideation, infidelity, & drug use. The author fit as much awful stuff in here as she possibly could. But some of it was also SUPER problematic. ⚠️
Firstly, there is an extremely troubling depiction of foster care. Rasa's foster parents turn out to be directly involved in sex trafficking. Foster care doesn't need books depicting it as full of abusers. I know the system isn't perfect, but this image of foster care caused me concern.
On an even more important note, the book takes our trans character and turns him into a manipulative abuser himself at the end. When Rasa finally tells him she's a victim of sex trafficking, he accuses her of lying, accuses her of liking it, slut shames her and repeatedly tells her that she could have made a different choice. He also manipulates her emotions by attempting to shoot himself in front of her after saying all of this. When I tell you I almost set this book on fire. Mental illness is not a shock factor plot point. Suicide is not a bargaining tactic. I was repulsed by this. Especially because the resolution is Rasa apologizing to HIM and agreeing to go to the cops "like she should have all along". The story literally ends with the victim apologizing for being a victim (of child sex trafficking none the less) and Jaya saying "wow good thing that gun didn't work." I am a cis person so correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't feel like the rep trans people or mental illness needs. In YA nonetheless.
What the actual hell.
Now comes the concerns & warnings⚠️
This book contains so much trauma. The triggers I wrote down while reading are sexual assault, prostitution, sex trafficking, eating disorder, homophobia, transphobia, suicidal ideation, infidelity, & drug use. The author fit as much awful stuff in here as she possibly could. But some of it was also SUPER problematic. ⚠️
Firstly, there is an extremely troubling depiction of foster care. Rasa's foster parents turn out to be directly involved in sex trafficking. Foster care doesn't need books depicting it as full of abusers. I know the system isn't perfect, but this image of foster care caused me concern.
On an even more important note, the book takes our trans character and turns him into a manipulative abuser himself at the end. When Rasa finally tells him she's a victim of sex trafficking, he accuses her of lying, accuses her of liking it, slut shames her and repeatedly tells her that she could have made a different choice. He also manipulates her emotions by attempting to shoot himself in front of her after saying all of this. When I tell you I almost set this book on fire. Mental illness is not a shock factor plot point. Suicide is not a bargaining tactic. I was repulsed by this. Especially because the resolution is Rasa apologizing to HIM and agreeing to go to the cops "like she should have all along". The story literally ends with the victim apologizing for being a victim (of child sex trafficking none the less) and Jaya saying "wow good thing that gun didn't work." I am a cis person so correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't feel like the rep trans people or mental illness needs. In YA nonetheless.
What the actual hell.
inkyyy's review against another edition
4.0
This young adult novel was gritty, dark, unfiltered, and incredibly intense. I loved it. I cherished the sweet moments in between the dark moments. The characters were brought to life and I was not only in love with them but the landscape as well.
Jaya is an Indian rich kid growing up in Hawaii. His father is a real estate man who cheats on his wife, cares about nothing else but his money. Jaya is also trans, with a family who insists that he be a true Indian woman and marry a man who will make Jaya's life easier. Jaya loves grunge and he hopes to be a sweet gentleman and find his true love.
Rasa is what she calls a black widow. With a tumultuous childhood, Rasa is forced to sell her body in order to support herself and her younger siblings. When she is taken away by CPS she is spiraled into the seedy underbelly of Hawaii, turning tricks to keep herself and her siblings safe.
Jaya and Rasa meet. And they fall in love.
I think this book was great, the way that all of the characters were brought to life kept me engaged. Even though it says I read this book for several days, I only read it for the two days--so it probably took me 5-6 hours total to finish the near 300 page book. Chapters are between 3-4 pages long and you can breeze through them. I'm brought back to my old 15 year old self loving Nirvana and Audioslave and other gritty 90's grunge (heck, I still listen to them now).
I don't think I could give this book 5 stars because the ending was rather lackluster. It kind of fell flat. It just kinda...ends. There's no real resolution. The back of the book advertises itself as a "Romeo and Juliet" book but it's nowhere close to that. It's just a dark story in which two teenagers find solace in each other. Maybe I was unhappy with the end because I wanted more of it. I don't think it should've ended the way it did. While I'm glad I read it, I don't feel satisfied. I need an epilogue, or something.
Jaya is an Indian rich kid growing up in Hawaii. His father is a real estate man who cheats on his wife, cares about nothing else but his money. Jaya is also trans, with a family who insists that he be a true Indian woman and marry a man who will make Jaya's life easier. Jaya loves grunge and he hopes to be a sweet gentleman and find his true love.
Rasa is what she calls a black widow. With a tumultuous childhood, Rasa is forced to sell her body in order to support herself and her younger siblings. When she is taken away by CPS she is spiraled into the seedy underbelly of Hawaii, turning tricks to keep herself and her siblings safe.
Jaya and Rasa meet. And they fall in love.
I think this book was great, the way that all of the characters were brought to life kept me engaged. Even though it says I read this book for several days, I only read it for the two days--so it probably took me 5-6 hours total to finish the near 300 page book. Chapters are between 3-4 pages long and you can breeze through them. I'm brought back to my old 15 year old self loving Nirvana and Audioslave and other gritty 90's grunge (heck, I still listen to them now).
I don't think I could give this book 5 stars because the ending was rather lackluster. It kind of fell flat. It just kinda...ends. There's no real resolution. The back of the book advertises itself as a "Romeo and Juliet" book but it's nowhere close to that. It's just a dark story in which two teenagers find solace in each other. Maybe I was unhappy with the end because I wanted more of it. I don't think it should've ended the way it did. While I'm glad I read it, I don't feel satisfied. I need an epilogue, or something.
dmbooks's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Xenophobia, and Transphobia
lisasletters's review against another edition
2.0
I was going to give this a 6/10, but a 5,5 is more fair compared to my other reads this year.
The beginning of the book was fine and interesting. Unfortunately, the loss of the siblings’ characters was a big one for the story.
The book wasn’t bad, but the ending was terrible and for it being an okay book otherwise I couldn’t make myself give it a higher score.
The beginning of the book was fine and interesting. Unfortunately, the loss of the siblings’ characters was a big one for the story.
The book wasn’t bad, but the ending was terrible and for it being an okay book otherwise I couldn’t make myself give it a higher score.