[Subdue] Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki -4 starsk

[Jen K]

Demons, donuts, aliens, violins and the best and worst of relationships. Katrina is a young transgender woman running away from an abusive family and hoping to find a way to pursue her passion for music and playing the violin. She has struggled in all ways never finding acceptance and understanding, expecting, the cost of being different. Then she is found by Shizuka at a peaceful park pond. Shizuka is searching for her seventh violin student before her own chance for music runs out when she finds Katrina, a student unlike all her other students. Lan's only goal is to find a safe space for her family outside of an intergalactic war. She finds it at Starrgate Donuts though running a successful donut shop is more than replicating donuts and those on Earth are much more complex than she expected.

All together, the characters form the loveliest found family. The teaching and learning goes much further than music lessons. The acceptance and learning to listen as well as finding confidence in self are all just beautiful. Also the food descriptions are mouth watering. I recommend.

[NancyJ]

Great review. I really loved this book too. All of the crazy elements worked beautifully for me, like a great piece of music. Like something by Mozart or Freddie Mercury.

[Booknblues]

Oh this sounds good. Thanks for the review.

[Theresa]

This does sound so good!

[Jen K]

It was a fun one. Lovely characters trying to make life work and support those in their lives.