Reviewed by Nina.
This beautifully heartbreaking novel; branded as a gender bent goldilocks, makes you want to do so much. Cry, laugh, revaluate your privilege and take a second for Sam and Avery. With stunning characters and furthermore consistent character development, all the individuals with their unique complexities are brought to life. Sam is a mature 15-year-old who fights against the violence of his childhood and dreams of a place to call home. Avery; a couple of years older than Sam, is autistic and has a complete personality unlike many autistic characters found in other texts. Different settings are depicted as distinct locations and are well described by the author. My only complaint lies in the occasional too swift transitions between settings, which mainly results in the feeling of the protagonist undergoing too fast a mental or emotional shift. This minor flaw impacts the plot as well as the pace which appears too “constant” creating a slight sense of an inconceivable timeline. With that exception, the plot is well woven and highly engaging. The exploration of the theme of identity is consistent across many of the main characters who all search to find themselves in a variety of equally valid ways.
Shadow Judges Program 