I think the book is worth a try but it’s very much kind of insane with wildly different converging plot elements, crazy shifting perspectives, and some characters that don’t seem realistic. I don’t think the comparisons to Becky Chambers make sense as a huge Chambers fan, but some of the heart is definitely there; they’re just not done at all in the same way. 

I’m not stopping because of that, but because I’ve lived through very similar events in my life as Katrina, and I can tell you people do live through crap like that and there’s value to having stories like hers out there.

It’s actually kinda crazy how much of my own life I saw reflected in hers; that speaks to the commonness of Asian generational trauma, trans trauma, the experiences of running away and being torn down by your Asian “community” and trauma around music. I was luckier in some ways, but I've been friends with people who've gone through other parts of her story that I haven't; far too common a thing. Unlike her I can’t hold a violin without getting emotional and I'm completely out of music; so this story brought up a lot.

In that regard I can say the writing was amazing. But too much to continue. I want to come back and finish eventually.