Thanks to the publisher for providing an early copy of the audiobook Sasha Masha in exchange for an honest review.

Sasha Masha follows high schooler Alex's attempts to unravel why he's never quite felt like a he. It's short and real and wonderful, but doesn't have much there in terms of plot or characters. This is more of a story made to tell trans/dysmorphic stories instead of one that does that through one specific story and while I think it's wonderful that books like this are now able to thrive in YA, that also means that its easy to find Sasha Masha's entire plot in dozens of more developed stories. I still really enjoyed listening to this though. Agnes Borinsky (the author) narrates it herself and she does a wonderful job of bringing her words to life.

This book is extremely short, with an audiobook just over 3 hours long. It flies by quickly as you follow Alex exploring his gender identity and discovering who he truly is: Sasha Masha. I think this book will be very important for the queer community who are still in questioning, especially because this is an own voices novel by a trans author. I liked the support system Sasha Masha finds for himself in the queer community and enjoyed following him on his journey. Unfortunately, I never really connected with his character as there isn't much plot to this, but it was a good insight into the internal struggles he was facing.

Overall, a very quick read that I think will be important for many people.

I honestly enjoyed this book better than I thought I would. I really don't read YA fiction since sometimes it's hard for me to relate but I think everyone can relate to this story. It's a true, raw story about discovering yourself, your true self. I really liked the beginning of this story more. Not because the second half was more of Alex transitioning into Sasha Masha but just because it felt a little rushed. This was a shorter book and it was important to feel Alex's confusion on why Sasha Masha really spoke to him but then we get towards the end and it was like there. I just wanted more from this and feel Alex really turn into Sasha. Again, this was such an amazing story and no matter what age or how you identify, it touches you. I know this book will really help people who are trying to discover themselves but no matter what, anyone can see themselves in this book.

Audio Review:
O.M.G. Please do this in audio. There is always something special when the author narrates their own book but this was beyond amazing. Agnes did such a fantastic job bringing this story alive. I would absolutely recommend this audiobook. Please, if you are considering it there is just something magical about listening to this story.

Sasha Masha is a coming of age story exploring gender identity, sexuality, and romance. Alex doesn’t feel like a real boy until one day he realizes maybe he’s not and maybe that is okay.

“Maybe I don’t feel particularly real yet I said. “Like this world is just something I have to move through until I can get to a place where I can be a real person.”

The book was relatively short but I almost with it was a little longer. I’m glad books like this are being published so that trans and queen teens get to read stories they can relate to. The book is written and narrated by the author Agnes Borinsky - I thought she did a lovely job!

Thank you to Netgalley and to RB Media for the audiobook - which will be available next month (12/8/2020)