Everything I write is within the larger speculative fiction umbrella, namely fantasy. But from there it gets… complicated.

Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki manages to convince us that purple aliens, magical violins, and deals with the devil are entirely plausible while also exploring deep and complicated themes which affect us all.

Perhaps what stuck with me most isn’t what other readers would get hung up on, but for some reason Asuka’s relationship with her mother got me.