Loved this book. Beautifully, lyrically written. Full of passages that I highlighted because they struck a chord in me. I look forward to more from this writer.

One of the issues i have with short books is that I feel like I can't connect fully with the characters within such a short amount of time and this one was no different, unfortunately. I did enjoy it enough to give it 3 stars though.

This book is emotionally draining in the best way. The characters go through terrible things and it can be a lot to handle just reading it. Since the book isn't very long, you'd think it would be a quick read. But the author pulled me in and made me feel very attached to these characters, which meant sometimes I'd have to put it down for a minute because Rebele-Henry's writing affected me so much. I can't wait to see what this author has in store for us in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley, Brynne Rebele-Henry, and the publishers for the free E-ARC I received of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.



I have to say, I was super stoked to read this book. Let's be real: the subject matter is really hot right now. right? With both The Miseducation of Cameron Post and Boy, Erased being adapted for film, as well as a Vice President of The US who is in favor of them, Conversion therapy centers are a big part of the conversation going on. And, let's be real, it's a conversation that should've been happening at much louder decibels much sooner: these places are basically torture chambers for LGBT kids.



Brynne Rebele-Henry does a really nice job of showing that in her book. With the story of two lesbian teens, Raya and Sarah, in love, she paints a picture of just how dangerous life can still be for LGBT youth in America, especially in the rural South. With her depiction of Conversion Camps, she doesn't turn away from the pain that these kids undergo, but she also doesn't relish in exploiting that pain. I feel like Rebele-Henry does a really nice job of walking right up to the line between authentic and honest and a bit gratuitous and landing on the right side.



That said, there are a lot of things about this book that read like a first novel (which it is). It's short and feels exceptionally rushed all throughout the middle. The build up in the conversion camp is non-existent: it goes from 1-100 in a day. I'm not saying that's inaccurate: I honestly don't know what the schedule of tortures looks like at one of those places. either way, though, for a story, the pacing doesn't work.



Another issue I had with the book was that it was hyper repetitive in some places. To the point that I think some passages almost entirely repeat. I wasn't sure if that was intentional--maybe to show the slowing of thoughts due to some of the torment Raya goes through--but if it was, it could be made to read as more intentional.



Finally, I had very little sense of setting here. I know that Raya and Sarah are from a small town and I'm guessing it's a Southern one, but when are we? The fashion of the "popular girls" (frosty blue eyeliner, especially), made me think we are in the early aughts, but then a girl at the camp said that in most places, being gay was considered normal, so I thought maybe closer to present? Given that gay marriage was only legalized in the US four years ago, it makes a pretty big difference in terms of the context of the book.



All that said, the flaws are totally forgivable issues that might make an avid reader pause, but that don't take anything away from the importance of the work. So often, I hear kids talk about how it's no big deal to be gay anymore, that there's no risk to LGBT youth, but these torture chambers are only illegal in 15 out of 50 states. That means (ignoring the increased risk of homelessness, assault, etc) if nothing else, in 35 states, they face this risk. This is a must read for people who need to know what being gay can mean, even today.

https://bibwithblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/monday-review-orpheus-girl-by-brynne.html

This isn't the type of book you enjoy necessarily, but I'm glad I read it and will be sure to recommend it to patrons.

Brynne Rebele-Henry's LGBT Orpheus retelling in a Texas conversion camp is haunting. The author's poetry roots stand out here. The writing is lyrical and dips into stream-of-consciousness.

Raya's character arc stood out the most. In the face of extreme circumstances, she's more than just a lovestruck Orpheus. She's methodical and introspective. She's brave and compassionate. She's a hero you root for.

While I understand the Teen/YA rating its writing style is so simplistic it reads like a children's fiction. The lyrical sytle was beautiful but there were times that it was overly descriptive so much that it pulled me out of the story instead of contributing to it. On the other hand there were times when it was wonderful to read, especially towards the end when the feelings of pain and longing seeped into my skin down to my soul.
I think that it was an interesting take on the LGBTQ+ community but since a lot of Raya accepting, and later turning away, her identity is when she's in a conversion camp it was hard to get through at some points. This isn't your average coming of age coming out story.

As a newly minted queer kid, I read a lot of books about coming out and the trials and tribulations that could ensue. I'm glad this is not a book I read then. That being said, this is a hauntingly painful book that does a more than adequate job of showcasing just how devastating and ruinous the impact of familial rejection and homophobia can be on a young queer person. In this book, we watch Raya and Sarah fall in love through passages that read like poetry, only to be ripped away from that tenderness to be sent to a conversion camp where the pages start to feel more like reading a horror story or shocking page in the newspaper than the poetry of new love. And through it all, you only hope that eventually they find their way back into their poem.

Hemingway always used to say, "Write what you know." It is clear that the author of this book writes from her own experiences. It is short but powerful, and when you are reading it, you feel as though you are in the young girl's shoes. But it also reads more like a blog post or a diary entry, and I find that many things are consistently repeated by the narrator. There are a lot of moments where I said to myself, "Yeah, you've said that already." or, "Haven't I read this part already?" or, "Okay, we get it."
And the author doesn't need to mention Orpheus' story a million times - we get it - that's the name of your novel, we understand the reference after the first time, that's enough now (even so much as calling part three 'Entering Into Hell' -- insert eyeroll emojii here). I also find that the plot lacks consistency and ideas jump around with no linear plan. It happens a lot with "stream of consciousness" style writing, but I wouldn't even call it that. I think it's just bad editing. Or when a student hands in an essay without re-reading it.
Despite all that, it was a pretty captivating read, and the young author does write with a skill beyond her years.
I would love this to be a book I recommend to my students, but I could get some flack for it from parents. Some of the sexual content, while making the story so much more real, may not be received too well.
As a queer individual, this is the kind of book I wish I had when I was a teen. It's like 'Go Ask Alice' but for the gays.

cw: homophobia, transphobia, torture

i never knew i needed a lesbian orpheus retelling until i read this book.

i was browsing netgalley and this cover caught my attention and blew my mind. the colours are gorgeous and the two girls holding hands is everything. once i saw the title i was sold. i love greek mythology, i love lgbt content, i love retellings, so this was pretty much up my alley.

the writing was beautiful, it was so illustrative i could picture everything perfectly and the emotions it evoked were so raw and real i had trouble reading some parts because my heart was hurting so much.

i really liked how the underworld was depicted as a conversion therapy camp because that has always been my idea of hell. but my god the therapy (torture) got so much more graphic and intense than i was expecting. its not like i was expecting something quirky like from But I'm a Cheerleader but i didn't think it would get so dark, so watch out if you're sensitive to that.

the main reason this is 3 stars instead of 4 stars is because there's a trans character whose trauma is used as a plot device and im so over that. like we never even know if he'll be okay or not, the story just moves on. its not cute.

overall though i enjoyed the book. i listened to sufjan stevens while reading this so i got the full gay experience.