Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans | Spoiler-Free Book Review

Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans | Spoiler-Free Book Review

Hello Beautiful Hoomans.

A novel that lives up to its name!

A ‘lil note: I read Euphoria Kids immediately after I finished Wintergirls and let me say, the positive feelings that reading this book gave me was enough to kill off any horrible/ negative thoughts that the previous novel brought back.

Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans Book Cover 191x300 - Euphoria Kids by Alison Evans | Spoiler-Free Book ReviewBlurb: 

Ever since the witch cursed Babs, she turns invisible sometimes. She has her mum and her dog, but teachers and classmates barely notice her. Then, one day, Iris can see her. And Iris likes what they see. Babs is made of fire.

Iris grew from a seed in the ground. They have friends, but not human ones. Not until they meet Babs. The two of them have a lot in common: they speak to dryads and faeries, and they're connected to the magic that's all around them.

There's a new boy at school, a boy who's like them and who hasn't found his real name. Soon the three of them are hanging out and trying spellwork together. Magic can be dangerous, though. Witches and fae can be cruel. Something is happening in the other realm, and despite being warned to stay away, the three friends have to figure out how to deal with it on their own terms.

Anyone who loves the work of Francesca Lia Block and delights in Studio Ghibli films will be entranced by this gorgeous and gentle young adult novel about three queer friends who come into their power.

If I was only to read one book my entire life, I would make it this one. The entire point of reading is to transport yourself into another world and be somewhere other than this crazy, messed up Earth. No matter how shitty life gets, books give us hope and life and that’s exactly what Euphoria Kids does.

Alison has made it know that they wanted to write a book in which trans kids felt safe and happy. Not only do I believe they have done that, but they’ve also created a novel that promotes love and acceptance in a version of our own reality, removing negativity and toxicity from the fictional world.

REVIEW!

Euphoria Kids is a novel representing transgender and non-binary teenagers. The children are beautiful, young and educated. They understand acceptance and love with their parents teaching them about it and even practising these values at home.

Euphoria Kids is like a soft warm hug.

The children have what seems to be an ideal family life although it isn’t perfect, the imperfects are not portrayed as harsh negatives, instead, they’re just a part of life. Everyone is loved and accepted. There isn’t fear of being who you are or talking about your problems, no matter how unbelievable they may seem.

Talking about unbelievable things, the story is a fantasy and it needs to be remembered when reading lines that would normally be interpreted as a metaphor. It was a little confusing to read lines about Iris’ being birthed from a seed in the garden and the fire within Babs until I interpreted them literally, only then did the story make sense.

The names in this story too. Iris and their Mums, Clover and Moss with their beautiful, flourishing garden and equally flourishing love for each other. Babs who chose her own name and The Boy, who finds his name.

I would die for these kids.

There was a certain dialogue in the story that has stuck with me. It’s something that we don’t – but need to – hear more in our daily lives. That was when Iris made an apology, speaking ‘I’m sorry’ to her friend Sulkin and instead of receiving an offhanded It’s okay’ response, they received a thoughtful ‘Thank you’. 
This is so important as people always excuse the apologies of others with an ‘it’s okay’ but the message this sends to those who messed up that it is okay to do what they did again. By thanking the person who apologised means accepting the apology. Acceptance that they won’t mess up again.

This is the happiness the world deserves.

Euphoria Kids was really easy to read and had the softest tone. I loved how accepting the novel was and the comforting feeling it gave me as a reader even though I, myself am not part of the target community. Please, please read this novel and just enjoy the euphoric feeling it gives you.

★ Rating ★

I rated this book ★★★★★ (5/5 stars) for obvious reasons, but mostly the genuine happiness I received from reading it, a feeling I’ve really never felt to that extreme before. So strong that I could’ve sworn I had taken some sort of drug.

I had trouble writing this review because Euphoria Kids is flawlessly perfect. I just wanted to write HAPPINESS and call it a day but alas. I hope you enjoyed the review and maybe pick up a copy of the novel for yourself.

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Jasper + Spice is a safe place for all members of the LGBTQ+ community. This blog is a place of love and respect for everyone!

See you back here on Monday’s (book reviews), Wednesday’s (storytime/ writing updates) and Saturday’s (other bookish content).

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