victoria_08's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good. Every time I picked it up I didn't want to put it down. The characters are all so well written, and the story is so beautiful. Coming of age stories can be very hard to write, but this book captures something special. It's heartwarming, heartbreaking and overall a really good time.
juliterario's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW. No. Sé. Cómo. Reseñar. Este. Libro. Bienvenido sea Starfish, uno de mis nuevos favoritos del año y de todos los tiempos. ¡Vaya obra maestra! Hace tiempo que quería darle una oportunidad ya que, vamos, hace años que está en boca de todos. Me alegra tanto decir que leí la novela de Akemi Dawn Bowman en el momento perfecto, justo cuando la necesitaba y en el instante en el que más la disfrutaría. A veces encontramos el libro indicado en el momento indicado. Yo lo llamo magia. Reseña próximamente en el blog :)
orionoconnell's review against another edition
5.0
I love the poetic way that this was written, the overarching theme of Kiko's art and the way it ended each chapter. The way her trauma was turned into beauty, and the love and joy that a found family brought her as she emerged as her own person.
Kiko's character, and that of the people surrounding her, were so well fleshed out. I saw so much of myself in her character, and in her story. This one goes out to trauma survivors, but there should be trigger warnings for mentions of past sexual abuse, and severe mental health issues, as well as a big one for emotional manipulation and abuse.
I loved the dynamic between Kiko and Hiroshi, and the concept that flourished was found family and I really would love to see more of that- the acceptance and love of a family- starring rather than a romance.
Honestly, my least favorite part of the book was Jamie, and I think that perhaps this would have been better told as a friendship rather than a formed love so that the focus would have shifted on the main character more than a romance. There was more than enough story to tell without the romance. Jamie, in my opinion, kind of took from it a bit with some light non-consent in form of making Kiko's decisions and pressuring her.
I would LOVE to see a continuation of Kiko's world and her growth as a character with recurring characters. I did not want this world to end. Easily a favorite that I will read again.
Kiko's character, and that of the people surrounding her, were so well fleshed out. I saw so much of myself in her character, and in her story. This one goes out to trauma survivors, but there should be trigger warnings for mentions of past sexual abuse, and severe mental health issues, as well as a big one for emotional manipulation and abuse.
I loved the dynamic between Kiko and Hiroshi, and the concept that flourished was found family and I really would love to see more of that- the acceptance and love of a family- starring rather than a romance.
Honestly, my least favorite part of the book was Jamie, and I think that perhaps this would have been better told as a friendship rather than a formed love so that the focus would have shifted on the main character more than a romance. There was more than enough story to tell without the romance. Jamie, in my opinion, kind of took from it a bit with some light non-consent in form of making Kiko's decisions and pressuring her.
I would LOVE to see a continuation of Kiko's world and her growth as a character with recurring characters. I did not want this world to end. Easily a favorite that I will read again.
jaysy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
sophiaeve's review against another edition
4.0
4.5... this hit pretty close to home and it hurt but was also beautiful
michaelagreenall's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
finalgirlfall's review against another edition
5.0
i liked this book when i first read it. i need to reread it now.