Confusing

This book is odd. Usually that would be a compliment from me but I'm not so sure it is this time.
There were lots of great moments in this book but it suffered from a lack of focus which should have been on Katrina's and Shizuka's storylines (which I loved as a queer ex-violinist).
I am not sure the science fiction elements meshed at all well or were developed enough in this with the rest of the story. And yes, those parts were like Star Trek which is part of the problem. I reckon the author is likely a star trek fan and wanted to write something similar which is not a bad idea but should have been it's own book. Not a part of this one.
Overall I hope the author continues to write and develop. I certainly wouldnt mind reading more once some more development is had.

As for the narration, I enjoyed it but the recording was bad in some parts and I think at one point a small section was missing.

I cant cut the stars right down the middle so I'll round up for the cursed violin plot which I really enjoyed. But in my heart of hearts this is a 2.5 star experience

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Moving, inspiring and fuffilling

this story is 3 different things that shouldn't go to gether but when mixid in just the right way an amazing doughnut comes out.... I need to find an Alaska doughnut now!

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Being trans makes you better at string instruments

I absolutely love this book. Cried like 15 times. Ordered myself a cello… Love u all

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Absolutely gorgeous

This book is beautifully written. On the face of it, this shouldn't work. It's trying to do too much in too short a space, but if you make it through the first hour of doubt and uncertainty, you will read something magical.

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Narration annoying whispering and sibilance

I almost gave up on this because of the whispering nature of the narration. It was hard to hear and "S" was often very sibilant. On occasion, different characters would sound exactly the same.

I could not tell when scenes changed. Person A might say or think something. Then person B would be doing something immediately, as if they were part of the same event, when it was really a different place and time.

In fact I only stuck it out because I had paid for this hard to understand porridge.

The story was initially interesting. Concepts of alien doughnut store, violin teacher in hock to hell. But after a while that became a bit of a side issue. The trans character was fine, if a little shallow. It felt a bit shoehorned in.

From a potentially good story, this got to be a bit meh by halfway through. In fact, If a piano fell on the protagonist leaving the teacher and starship captain unhurt, this would have been a better book.

I know this was a Hugo nominated book, but I don't think I would have voted for it.

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1 person found this helpful

a story of our times

This was told for those who imagine what could be, what might be, and what is.

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Made me cry, want to take up my old violin, and crave doughnuts simultaneously

A wonderful, heady blend of almost ridiculous supernatural and sci fi elements exploring ideas about the best and worst parts of humanity, identity, gender, and creativity... Which sounds very pretentious and it almost is but then you have [spoiler alerts from here on] a doughnut selling alien and a virtuoso with a pact with hell feeding the ducks. Yep, literally. There's a phenomenal sequence with Katrina near the end that absolutely floored me (in the best way).

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An Interstellar Love Story with Donuts & Demons

Very absorbing, unusual premise, compelling characters, beautifully read. I enjoyed it from start to finish.

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1 person found this helpful

a true work of love and art

if you're a queer music lover this will speak to you. if you're Asian then even more so! I've completely fallen in love with this amazing story.

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Alien donut shops and demonic contracts

I loved this book for it's ability to be a crossover event for some very well thought out stories and characters. It is also very good and providing insight to character perspectives that, although potentially triggering, are very valuable and realistic (given the context of aliens and demons).

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