If you’re looking for a story about awakening, this is for you. It’s about a queer awakening, awakening to the racism around us, to the imbalances in our family. All the Yellow Suns is a tender moving story about making mistakes and trying to stand for the right thing. Keep reading this book review of All the Yellow Suns for my full thoughts.
Summary
Sixteen-year-old Maya Krishnan is fiercely protective of her friends, immigrant community, and single mother, but she knows better than to rock the boat in her conservative Florida suburb. Her classmate Juneau Zale is the polar opposite: she’s a wealthy white heartbreaker who won’t think twice before capsizing that boat.
When Juneau invites Maya to join the Pugilists—a secret society of artists, vandals, and mischief-makers who fight for justice at their school—Maya descends into the world of change-making and resistance. Soon, she and Juneau forge a friendship that inspires Maya to confront the challenges in her own life.
But as their relationship grows romantic, painful, and twisted, Maya begins to suspect that there’s a whole different person beneath Juneau’s painted-on facade. Now Maya must learn to speak her truth in this mysterious, mixed-up world—even if it results in heartbreak.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
All the Yellow Suns is an awakening to what’s around us. To the queer feelings within us – fighting against the homophobia – and to the comments and racist (micro)aggressions around us. It’s about waking up and for Maya she changes and sort of opens her eyes in a short amount of time. This quick alarm clock jolt causes ripples in her family, in her friend group, and in what she will do to chase that feeling. To chase the feeling of control, of trying to take back the narrative, even when those actions lead us into manipulations, breaking the rules, and loss.
I listened to the audio narrated by offbeat kiki which was fabulous to be immersed back in the angst and tension. There’s all these conflicting and confusing feelings surrounding Maya like a tornado. These feelings pulling her into questions, trouble, and out of her comfort zone. But after this quick transformation, this wake up call, who is Maya really? And can the people in her life understand and love this new Maya? This theme resonated with me and I think it’s incredibly important for the YA audiences.
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To have monumental changes in our lives – things we won’t stand for anymore – and what happens when we call out our friends. When they have to call us out? Can these relationships hold up under the strain? In All the Yellow Suns people can fall into our lives, make a mess, awaken us, and leave. They feel like the main characters of our story, but we have to be the main characters of our own story. To take responsibility for our actions, hurts, voice, and the damages. Find All the Yellow Suns on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, Libro.fm, and Google Play.