Katrina had always loved music, especially the violin. Long Ago, she had even taken lessons.
But she was queer, and living in a small town east of Oakland.
The afternoon that he found her makeup, Katrina’s father had punched her so hard that the entire side of her face turned black and blue. As word got around, her family, her church, the people at school hurled insults, shame.
You should act like a boy.
You should repent.
You should apologize.
You should die.
Despite this ominous quote this is one of the most beautiful books I’ve read.
It is both science fiction and fantasy. It’s what music can do to people and for people. It is about meeting new persons – people, aliens, transgender people and people of color – and thinking of everyone as persons. It is about the power of music to change misconceptions, hatred, jealousy, envy and negative feelings in general to acceptance and thus making the world a better place to live. And all this is written in the most beautiful and insightful language. IT SINGS!!
Shizuka Satomi is a famous violinist turned teacher. She has sold her soul to the devil. Getting it back she must deliver the souls of seven violin prodigies to the devil. She has delivered six, when she finds Katrina Nguyen, a young transgender runaway and hear her wild talent. Will she be number seven?
Then Shizuka meets an alien retired starship captain, who runs a donut shop, but has a secret agenda. Shizuka also has to contend with a demon, who wants the seventh soul now and keeps pressing her. And lots more.
All this is written in a spellbinding way, that will make you nearly unable to put the book down.
When I got nearer to the ending I started reading slower – I did not want the book to end.
Alas, it did end – but beautifully. Just like the whole book. I had a lump in my throat, a happy feeling of hope for everything and everyone, and I felt very lucky to have read this wonderful book.
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To give you an idea, what a lot of writers thought about this book, press the button below to read some of the blurbs that you’ll find on the cover.
I am not the only one, who loved this book. Here are some blurbs from the cover:
“I wanted to give every one of her characters hugs…..Fantastic, beautiful, and deeply, profoundly moving.”
Jenn Lyons, author of The Ruin of Kings
“A story that sparkles with magic and music and joy; this book just sings.”
Everina Maxwell, author of Winter’s Orbit
“Delightful and heartbreaking. An unexpected mash-up of science fiction and fantasy that will make you love music, crave donuts, and wish to read it all again.”
John Scalzi, New York Times bestseling author.
“A transformative marvel. I. Loved. This. Book.”
T. J. Klune, New York Times bestselling author of The House in the Cerulean Sea
“Wilder, more beautiful, and sweeter than I could have ever imagined.”
Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky