I really didn't like how Aureus was constantly giving Joyce this advice about how to be a woman that seemed just... Unnecessary. She was telling her how to "cry like a woman" and "drink beer like a lady". Like? I didn't realize there was a specific ladylike way to do things like that.

And then at one point when Joyce and Aureus were both sexually assaulted and threatened with rape Joyce says to her friend "not all men are like that". Are you shitting me? You're both attached and right after being rescued by her brother she pulls out a not all men? That really annoyed me.

Transgenderism is a topic that seems to be cropping up everywhere in YA literature at the moment. That's no bad thing, but sometimes it can be hard to sort out the really moving stories that have emotional impact and resonate with readers from those that are simply trying to put forward a specific view/idea.
Tor's novel is large in scope. We follow John from his last year of high school, through college and his transition to Joyce.
The characters of Aureus and John were interesting in their depiction, and there were a range of responses given to John that may inspire/terrify someone in a similar situation. On the whole this was a thought-provoking read, but some elements felt rather too earnest on occasion.

An interesting book to read. This is a great book for Teens/YA and older who wish to know more about discovering sexual identity. Although there is much public awareness of being transgender today, there may likely still be small rural areas that this subject never gets discussed.

This is the first book I have read on the subject of being transgender. I found the book to be realistic in the many descriptions of John's early life and his psychological difficulties related to his physical body not being the same as his "inner" body image. From pre-school age, knowing that somehow he was different, but not understanding why. The confusion, the internal/emotional conflict, the body shame and disgust were very accurate descriptions.

The story is a very basic, simplified depiction of growing up transgender, discovering your true sexual identity as a young adult and the process of transitioning through gender reassignment surgery. The book does avoid many of the challenges of being transgender and transitioning. Never the less, it is a beautiful story that casts a positive light on the subject. All books don't have to be full of hate and cruelty. This book conveys hope, beauty and finding peace with ones self.

I received the book free in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion nor rating of the book.

Review posted on amazon, netgalley, goodreads and moonshineartspot.blogspot.com
Terri/Aunt Meanie

My Ladybird Story by Magus Tor

Star rating: ★★★ ☆☆ 3/5 stars

Format: ebook galley

Summary: The story of a transwoman named Joyce, of her struggles through high school, college and beyond to come to terms with who she really is.

Review: I received a galley copy of this book for review from NetGalley.

This book was pretty good but it lost me towards the end and all the great parts of the beginning of the book were forgotten. The beginning had a lot of great moments, Joyce's brother is super supportive of everything. There's never any doubt that he accepts her no matter what.

I really didn't like how Aureus was constantly giving Joyce this advice about how to be a woman that seemed just... Unnecessary. She was telling her how to "cry like a woman" and "drink beer like a lady". Like? I didn't realize there was a specific ladylike way to do things like that.

And then at one point when Joyce and Aureus were both sexually assaulted and threatened with rape Joyce says to her friend "not all men are like that". Are you shitting me? You're both attached and right after being rescued by her brother she pulls out a not all men? That really annoyed me.

The romance between Joyce and Aureus was weird for me. I don't know, I just didn't see it coming and then all of a sudden they both discover they're in love with each other. Like parts of it was cute but I just didn't completely buy the romance. There were a few times I didn't fully buy the friendship either. When Aureus decided to give J.P. a second chance in college I was so pissed. I'm sorry but her best friend was tormented by this guy all through high school and she's like "well maybe he's not that bad". Maybe it's just me but I would never try to befriend someone who was mean to my best friend. That's forever shunning material there bucko. I also didn't like how they were always fighting over religion, or more like Joyce was condescending to Aureus. I didn't understand why it had to be a point of contention between them. It's not that difficult to acknowledge they have differing opinions and move on. Aureus never seems in your face about her faith so I don't know why it bothered Joyce so much.

I did like the style of the book. I thought the subject was on the most part well done. I thought her struggle to figure out who she was was handled well. I didn't like how her father was basically a caricature of a close-minded southern man. He literally says "one of them queers" at one point like I could not roll my eyes harder.

Recommendation: This was a fairly good story about a transwoman who also ends up in a relationship with another woman at the end of the book.