I don't remember if I found the recommendation for this novel in a search for young adult or adult LGBTQIA+ fiction. As a 58 year old gay man who came out in the late 80's, YA fiction about coming of age doesn't seem like it would be a natural fit, but I have no shame or qualms about devouring this genre now that I discovered it, or insecurity about being deeply moved by the works in this genre. I know I am not alone in my experience, and TMHLLOSS broadened and deepened my understanding of MY community. It can be for anyone that is still open to teachable moments, and it does so not by pontificating, but by so fully breathing life into Sam, that I with my limited intersectionality (caucasian(ish) cisgen gay neuronormative (probably?) male) identity could really walk in the shoes of Sam, a preop transgen gay nuerodivergent individual, pronouns they/them. All of the characters representing the full spectrum have depth, even if they are not the focus, even the pre-judged straight white male jock popular boy.
The mystery is engaging, it will be especially for those that have a taste for the occult ala "The Sixth Sense." Even though I had suspected the culprit early on and knew them by the beginning of the final act, the lack of surprise at the reveal did nothing to curb my desire to race to the end because I really cared what happened to the characters and needed to see the satisfying resolutions to their arcs and mini arcs. The interweaving of the plot and character development is deftly handled and paced.
This novel is for the YA readers in the alphabet mafia looking to see themselves represented. It is for the older generation of queers who experience this representation with a bittersweet mixture of envy for the YA experience we didn't get to have and awe at the never-ending expansion of understanding of the queer experience. It is for the ally who really wants to understand the nuances of the different identities. It is for most of us who have little understanding of the Neuro divergent experience. And it is even for those few, amazing, beautiful, compassionate souls whose emotional IQ already encompasses this diversity, because it is a beautiful, thrilling, moving occult/mystery/thriller/romance.
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I think it is the combination of Sam and Junius that makes this story for me.
Excellent supernatural mystery! I can’t believe that this is a debut novel. Maya MacGregor knocks it out of the park!There is so much to unpack in The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester. The mystery is solid. MacGregor has a realistic reason as to why Sam would be invested in a young person’s death. Then MacGregor adds in Sam moving into Billy’s bedroom where he died and that cinches it. The supernatural aspect is not over the top. It is just the right touch of spookiness for a story taking place in today’s world.The other main cast member, I feel, is Sam’s dad. Junius is my unicorn. He adopts a kid on his own. He picks Sam even though he is on the autism spectrum and hadn't spoken a word to anyone at the foster home. Junius could have picked an easier road, but he didn’t. He is firmly in Sam’s corner, no matter what comes out of his mouth. Loyalty. Unconditional Love. Don’t we all wish we had this?The secondary cast is stellar. MacGregor gives us a diverse cast from bisexuals to genderfluid to non-white characters. I could go on and on about Shep, but I think I want to talk about Aidan. Aidan is an amazing ally. He says something at one point to Dylan, a closeted gay youth, that hanging out with gay people doesn’t change who you are. I was cheering so much inside me. Aidan reminds me of Harry Styles (who hasn’t formally said if they are rainbow or not). After watching Sam's new friend group interact with each other, he joined in risking his own popularity to be a part of this group. Then he started changing his fashion and damn I wish I had a picture of Sky and him at prom. Styling.Let’s talk about Sam. I am going to warn you that Sam goes through some harsh events and MacGregor finally shows what happened after many glimpses. Take a deep breath and be glad that Sam can too. Sam is also loyal and willing to let people in after everything that has happened to him. He doesn’t let his anxiety get in the way - which makes him better than me on most days. (chuckle)I love The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester. I think it is the combination of Sam and Junius that makes this story for me. The mystery is solid. The friendships are even more so. Did I forget to mention that there is a romance amidst all of this, pairing an ace and a bisexual who are so sweet together. MacGregor gives us everything and I love it.I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023
"To me, family is breath; it’s trusting the person beside you to demand your right to air in a world that would take it from you."
This is the story of Sam Sylvester, a nonbinary teen who moves with their father to a new town to escape a transphobic violent attack. Sam is obsessed with people who die too young, and coincidentally moves into the house of a boy who did just that. Sam and their new friend, Shep, work together to solve the murder and help heal the town (and themselves) in the process.
This book was like seeing my youngest child come to life on the page! Sam is an autistic, nonbinary, asexual 18 year old with a hyperfixation on the macabre (my Apex is 15, but this could BE them). Sam was so well-written, so well-described, that my heart genuinely broke for them. I cried more times than I'd like to admit, both in sadness and joy as Sam learned to trust and love and embrace themself.
And let's not forget the murder mystery crime-solving thread throughout. The build-up to the reveal was dramatic, tinged with supernatural elements and premonitions.
All in all, it is a spectacular read. I've already loaned my copy to my teen!
⚠️ There are some self-harm references and retelling of a traumatic, violent hate crime.
Great YA Mystery with amazing representation
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023
I read this book as part of the #transrightsreadathon 2023.Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2023
"To me, family is breath; it’s trusting the person beside you to demand your right to air in a world that would take it from you."
This is the story of Sam Sylvester, a nonbinary teen who moves with their father to a new town to escape a transphobic violent attack. Sam is obsessed with people who die too young, and coincidentally moves into the house of a boy who did just that. Sam and their new friend, Shep, work together to solve the murder and help heal the town (and themselves) in the process.
This book was like seeing my youngest child come to life on the page! Sam is an autistic, nonbinary, asexual 18 year old with a hyperfixation on the macabre (my Apex is 15, but this could BE them). Sam was so well-written, so well-described, that my heart genuinely broke for them. I cried more times than I'd like to admit, both in sadness and joy as Sam learned to trust and love and embrace themself.
And let's not forget the murder mystery crime-solving thread throughout. The build-up to the reveal was dramatic, tinged with supernatural elements and premonitions.
All in all, it is a spectacular read. I've already loaned my copy to my teen!
⚠️ There are some self-harm references and retelling of a traumatic, violent hate crime.
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Top reviews from other countries
Anaïs
Wonderfully diverse and accurate representation
Reviewed in France on May 25, 2023Amazon Customer
So relatable and a really interesting mystery
Reviewed in Germany on October 29, 2022
L0ser._.p0ssum
Didn't come with a dust jacket☹️
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2023
L0ser._.p0ssum
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2023
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