Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera was a fun, light, feminist story. The protagonist, Juliet, is gay and Puerto Rican, and the book mainly focuses on her attempts to reconcile those different parts of her identity. Juliet grew up in the Bronx, but by the time the story starts she is in college, and about to start an internship with the author of her favorite book Raging Flower: Empowering Your Pussy by Empowering Your Mind. Juliet mainly faces emotional issues in this book, a lot of them relating to feminism’s traditional whiteness and Juliet’s struggle to reconcile her feminist side with her Puerto Rican side.
The night before Juliet leaves the Bronx, she comes out to her family, to mixed reactions. The very next day, she is on her way to Portland, Oregon, a place so foreign to her, her family can’t remember what city she’s going to. There is a lot of initial culture shock when she reaches her destination. The majority of people are white, the lgbtq+ community is out and proud, and almost everyone is a hippie. There are things Juliet doesn’t like about Portland, and there are things she doesn’t like about the Bronx, and as she compares the two cities, she discovers her identity and what kind of environment she likes to be surrounded by. As you probably could tell, the book is based heavily on setting, which I found unusual and refreshing. The book is also set in 2003, which I thought was an unnecessary and strange choice, since the author didn’t take advantage of the time period at any point in the book. There were so few placing details, in fact, that I forgot the book wasn’t set in the present for the majority of the time I was reading it.
Most of the characters were well-developed and interesting, but most of them were fairly unrealistic. Juliet’s 14-year-old brother reads the Animorph series, which is meant for elementary schoolers. Harlowe, Juliet’s idol, and the author she is interning with, is a hippie to a degree so extreme, it would be near-impossible for a real person to reach it. Other than that, the characters seemed realistic, and almost all of them were a person of color or a member of a minority group. This book was delightfully diverse, with a ton of people of color and lgbtq+ representation.
Juliet Takes a Breath was very contemplative and conversational. Juliet muses on indirect and unintentional racism she experiences in Portland, and whether she can find a sense of community with people who make so many mistakes and seem so inconsiderate. The writing style was unique, almost a train of thought. It was rambling but charming, and fit Juliet’s narrative perfectly. It took a lot of the emotional weight away from the story, so most of the time I was reading it I just felt entertained, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It was fun but not life-changing, although I do think this could be a very meaningful book for some people. I think everyone, although especially Latinas, who have recently discovered their sexuality, or are trying to work up the courage to come out could appreciate this book. I would also recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about social liberalism or likes reading stories about culture shock. Overall, Juliet Takes a Breath was a fun, though not very deep book, that mostly discussed what it means to balance different aspects of your personality.
Category Archives: Reviews
The End and Other Beginnings by Veronica Roth
Reply
The End and Other Beginnings is a collection of six short stories (two from the Carve the Mark universe) written by Veronica Roth. All of them are set in the future, with all kinds of sci-fi fantasy technology. Some are more realistic than others, but all of them draw you in and leave you wanting more. Roth successfully writes six journeys, setting the scene, addressing the conflict, and sewing up the ends in the shorter amount of space than usual. But these stories feel like their own, drawing you in and letting you live in that world. Her writing is effective and beautiful, bringing in love, hatred, loss, and friendship. Her characters find the true meaning of the feelings they possess without previously knowing what was going on in their minds.
This collection is an interesting read, perfect for any sci-fi lovers and Veronica Roth lovers because it stays true to her previous writing, just taking on a different pathway. Roth makes us realize that despite the non-human beings and massive technological advances possible for the future, humans will always have the same set of problems
Rules for Vanishing by Kate Alice Marshall
Sara finds herself alone and stricken with grief after after her older sister and favorite person, Becca, runs away from home with her boyfriend. Sara knows she is never coming back, and some people doubt if she’s still even alive. After a year of feeling helpless, Sara soon starts dreaming about a girl. A girl named Lucy Gallows, said to have disappeared in Sara’s town years before by escaping down a road in the middle of the forest. Sara knows she has to follow the road and get to Lucy in order to save her sister.
Kate Alice Marshall writes an incredible story about the road and its games, bringing in sacrifice, love, loss, and truth. The relationships between the characters mend and break, never failing to stay interesting. The road itself is scary and unpredictable, forcing the things on it to make impossible decisions. Marshall’s writing brings this fictitious legend alive and allows her readers to truly be present on the road with the characters. The detective-case setup of the story and frequent plot twists create a book that is very difficult to put down.
Rules For Vanishing is a riveting story perfect for anyone who wants a bit of horror mixed with suspense and thrill. Great for anyone interested in small-town myths come to life, and mystical worlds with dangers lurking beneath.
When We Were Lost by Kevin Wignall
When We Were Lost, by Kevin Wignall, tells the story of a group of high schoolers going on a trip to Costa Rica. The main character, Tom, is a bit of an outsider. He doesn’t have any friends and prefers to be by himself, but he was persuaded to go on the school trip by his teachers and guardian who were concerned about him not being social enough. He set off on the trip not planning on making any new friends, just trying to explore and get it over with. But when the plane crashes in an unknown thicket of wilderness, he is forced to collaborate with his classmates in a duel with the jungle for life or death. He surprisingly comes out of his shell and sees people in a new light. He and his classmates stumble blindly through the dangerous wilderness, just trying to survive, whether it be the breaks in the relationships of the survivors, or the physical challenges within the jungle.
Wignall writes a meaningful story with characters finding themselves in the deep danger but peacefulness of the jungle. Secret talents are showcased, friendships are made, and lives are lost. Tom and his newfound friends discover how truly grateful they are for being alive, and that every little detail matters when it comes to an environment like this. An adventurous journey built for fans of Lord of the Flies, survival stories, and adrenaline-rushing thrills.
House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
Oh My Gosh!!! I am still not over how obsessively good this book is. Besides being a retelling of the “Twelve Dancing Princesses” – A classic fairytale by the Grimm brothers in which twelve sisters, each more beautiful than the last, dance all night, wearing out their shoes by morning despite being securely locked up in their room by their father – this book is a whole new outlook to the plot with gruesomely horrifying twists and turns, mind games that’ll keep the mind churning, and illustrations that will make your bones chill to the core.
Annaleigh, the fifth oldest among twelve sisters, is now second in line to her father’s inheritance after the deaths of her older sisters – four consecutive deaths, one after the other – the most recent being Eulalie, who plunged to her death from a cliff, when (as rumor has it) she was running off to elope with her lover. However, Annaleigh does not believe that her family is cursed – as believed by the townspeople – but acts of murder by someone who is out to eliminate her and her sisters, one by one. But who? On top of that, the sisters end up discovering a magic door that transports them to wherever they wish to go, allowing them to attend lavish balls and dance with handsome men till their shoes wear out.
When things start to get out of control, with the girls addicted to sneaking out and dancing till sunrise and having no clue on how to find the killer who, as it seems, is now after Annaleigh herself – Annaleigh is just about losing her mind, or so it seems… However, there seems to be a lot of, “Is this real, or not” going in. Determined to find the killer of her sisters, Annaleigh will
do anything to protect and prevent any more of her sisters from sharing the same fate, even at the cost of her own sanity!
Minor Prophets by Jimmy Cajoleas
Some say the author’s greatest superpower is the reader’s curiosity, and Jimmy Cajoleas uses this full force in his novel Minor Prophets. In Minor Prophets there is always a new hook after every chapter that keeps you from putting it down, always another secret or surprise just around the corner, waiting to be discovered.
The story revolves around Lee, a teenage boy who just so happens to have mind-altering visions about the future. His mother scolds him for them and his sister ignores them, but when his mother dies in a car crash and his stepfather is a suspect he finds himself on the run along with his sister, to a place they had only heard of in stories: The Farm. The Farm is an enchanting place with a doting Grandma, a trusted mentor, and a community that adores and praises Lee for his visions, labeling him as their savior and leader. It’s too good to be true! Everything that Lee has ever wanted, he becomes enraptured with his newfound future and becomes blinded to reality. Is The Farm really all that it seems, or is there a dark secret lurking behind the scenes?
Jimmy Cajoleas does a great job keeping you on your toes, unleashing just enough information to ignite your curiosity, and keep the pages turning. Cajoleas blurs the line between right and wrong, good and bad, to a point where there is no clear hero or villain. He shows the human need for acceptance and love, and just how far we’re willing to go for it.
Although a little slow in the beginning, Minor Prophets is a great read that chills the skin with it’s twisted plot and shaded characters. Guaranteed to leave you bewildered as to what you just witnessed, Minor Prophets is for anyone who appreciates humanities crooked nature as well as the dark secrets it has to hide. -Kira Kaplan
Ink In The Blood by Kim Smejkal
If you ever need transporting to a different world and a different story, Ink In The Blood by Kim Smejkal is the book to do it. This book devoured me from start to finish, fully enveloping me with its whimsical details, strong story line and lovable characters. I couldn’t read fast enough, longing to get to the end but dreading it as well.
Set place in a world in which magical ink exists to channel the Divine’s will, there is only one truth; obey the ink. But what if that truth is based on lies? What if the ink isn’t a force for good and wisdom, but for pain and suffering? Two inklings, Celia and Anya, having experienced the hate the ink is built on, do something that has never been done before: escape. They join the Rabble Mob, a collection of circus like performers that enchant and mystify their audiences, but when one of the members starts acting strange, Celia realizes the Divine has followed them. There lies the greatest truth of all; you can’t escape the ink. Left with no choice, Celia and Anya draft a plot that will destroy the ink forever, but while in process, may destroy them as well.
Ink In The Blood is everything a fantasy novel should be. Kim includes enough explanation of the world and how things work to keep us grounded, while adding elements such as the Rabble Mob to keep an air of mystery and curiosity. Throughout this book I constantly felt wonder, which to me, is one of the most important emotions for a fantasy novel to evoke.
Ink In The Blood is for anybody who wants to be whisked away to another reality full of devils, angels, plague doctors, fire dancers, mimes, inklings, and magic. For anyone who wants to experience adventure and emotion so deep you’d think you were part of the story.
Color Outside the Lines Edited by Samira Ahmed
Color Outside the Lines is an anthology about interracial relationships across time and genres.It’s about the ways in which these relationships are both different and the same as the ones that aren’t interracial; it not only talks about love, culture, and prejudice but also about family, friendships, communication, expectations, and legacies, from different points of view.This book elaborates on one point: love has no boundaries! It’s not caged within walls with certain rules and regulations, but creates a pathway for the union of two souls, regardless of the so-called societal beliefs which the authors did a wonderful job in exploring and conveying many of these factors in their stories. Although I could review each story, it wouldn’t do justice to the book, because collectively this
book voices a stronger message and is easier to understand and refer to, when reading each author’s take on the shared topic. There’s a story for everybody within these pages, a story you will connect to in some way or the other – whether it’s about not being aware of the monumental differences between cultures, the way one kind-hearted person can change your life, or the female/female Hades/Persephone reimagination you’ve always wanted – while also enlightening and making one aware of other’s feelings and thoughts. The authors have created a kaleidoscope of voices that illuminate how much we need more diverse literature and just how important these voices are. A very interesting and encouraging book that I would recommend to readers of all ages.
Bid my Soul Farewell by Beth Revis
“Was that all it took to make a monster? A label and the accusations of others?”
The stunning finale of the epic fantasy duology from author Beth Revis. Alchemy student turned
necromancer Nedra Brysstain has made a life-changing decision to embrace the darkness–but
can the boy who loves her bring her back to the light before she pays the ultimate price?
The plague has been eradicated from Lunar island, and the people are on the path of healing
themselves and all that’s been savaged. But the girl who saved them has been labeled a monster.
A monster that should be hanged for her evil use of necromancy. Greggori “Grey” Astor is in a dilemma – hate Nedra, the girl he loves, for what she’s done, or
risk everything he’s ever known to protect her – all this while figuring out his new role at thecourt. Determined to help Emperor Auguste, the young and charming leader of the AllyrianEmpire in his plan to rebuild Lunar island. But the emperor has another plan: rid the island of necromancy once and for all. Though Grey wants what’s best for his people, he knows that allying with the king threatens the one he loves most: Nedra.
Resides at the quarantine hospital along with her army of revenants, Nedra wants nothing more than to keep her sister, Nessie, by her side. But when her revenants start to become increasinglyinhuman (like her sister), Nedra filled with guilt vows to find a way to free the dead and resurrecting her sister from her state.
But the people want someone to blame, and Grey can only protect Nedra for so long. When a battle with an even more terrifying adversary pushes Nedra to the darkest depths of her powers,she and Grey will be forced to decide how much they are willing to sacrifice to save their homeand the people they love the most.
The Prom by Sandra Mitchell
The Prom by Sandra Mitchell (with Bob Martin, Chad Beguelin, and Matthew Sklar) is a heartwarming novel based off on the hit Broadway musical. It tells the story of high school students Emma Nolan and Alyssa Greene, the only lesbian couple in the small town of Edgewater, Indiana. Emma is known to the community as “the gay one.” She is constantly teased, mocked, and stared at by her classmates. She has an online following where she posts her covers of songs. She accidentally-on-purpose hinted at being lesbian on her channel. Her parents found out and kicked her out of the house, so she went to live with her grandma. Alyssa, on the other hand, is the most popular girl at school, head of the student council, and hasn’t yet come out as bisexual to the public. She knows that her mother would flip if she knew of Alyssa’s secret, and doesn’t want to wreck her mother’s fragile mental state or end up like Emma. To everyone else, Emma and Alyssa are best friends. It’s now Emma and Alyssa’s final year of high school, and prom is right around the corner. Emma is holding on to the dream of dancing with Alyssa, but the PTA forbids it. To make it even worse, the head of the PTA and the biggest supporter of an exclusively heterosexual prom is Alyssa’s mother. All Emma wants is to go to prom, so some overly enthusiastic failed Broadway producers enter the scene. Will Emma and Alyssa get their first dance?
This story was a wonderful modern teenage romance. This book would likely be relatable to many teens growing up in the 21st century. Although the addition of the Broadway publicists didn’t do much to improve the plot, I think Mitchell did an excellent job of making this story relevant and engaging to young adults.
Overall, this book was uplifting and showed the many trials and triumphs of being a young LGBT+ citizen today. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for realistic fiction, romance, and LGBT+ characters. I would also recommend this to any musical/theater lovers – the musical is great to listen to before, after, or while reading the book! – Sophie Cornish