Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju
"Perpetually awkward Nima Kumara-Clark is bored with her insular community of Bridgeton, in love with her straight girlfriend, and trying to move past her mother’s unexpected departure. After a bewildering encounter at a local festival, Nima finds herself suddenly immersed in the drag scene on the other side of town.
Macho drag kings, magical queens, new love interests, and surprising allies propel Nima both painfully and hilariously closer to a self she never knew she could be—one that can confidently express and accept love. But she’ll have to learn to accept lost love to get there."
“With each passing moment, I’d get that feeling you sometimes have the moment you’re about to flip the final page of a really good book, when your anticipation for what happens next overwhelms you, but you also know that turning the page means you're closer to an end.”
― Tanya Boteju, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and Boteju’s vibrant characters. This was fun, but really emotional read too. Nima has real feelings of wanting to do something but also finding herself in her comfort zone over and over and never taking a risk. And I have definitely been there! When she does finally take a risk she’s introduced to the bright and glittery world of drag. This book had such important themes of listening to and having compassion for other people’s experiences. Something I feel is super important in today’s society. . The only reason I gave this 3 instead of 4 stars is that the ending felt super rushed and I felt like there were a lot of unresolved plot lines. I’m kind of hoping that means there will be a sequel though! I really want to know what happens to some of these characters!
Genre: ya, contemporary, lgbtqia+, own voices
Representation: lesbian, queer, trans
Content Warnings: homophobia, slurs, gender dysphoria, alcoholism, violence, bullying, abandonment, underage drinking, underage romance, vomiting
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