Excellent SF/Fantasy combo, with great characters. Deal with the devil, intergalactic visitors, dive into the world of the violin and its players, great food descriptions, fully human trans protagonist. Heartily enjoyed.

"Katrina is a queer trans girl escaping a terrible home life, only to encounter an infamous woman best known as the Queen of Hell. Shizuka Satomi, a legendary violin teacher, has sent the last six students to Hell, and only needs one more virtuoso's soul to ensure her own freedom.

But there's also Lan Tran, an alien captain who has brought her family to shelter on Earth (beneath a giant donut), away from war and the devastation of their home galaxy. She meets Shizuka and both see stars.

This is more fantasy than science fiction, in spite of the Starrgate. There are many tantalizing descriptions of beautiful music and delicious, soul-affirming food. The dynamics between the main three characters are compelling and kept my attention. The minor characters were less effective, except for Lucy, the woman who repairs violins. Be ready for depictions of racism, transphobia, and assault, including sexual.

Overall, this is a book that will stick in my mind. And I have a long list of violin music to look up and meals to try.

Be sure to check out <a href=""https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3578663208"">Charlie Jane Anders's review</a>, too, for her insight on the deft handling of a trans girl's coming of age.

Received a free copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review."

This book... Wow. I really needed to read something like this right now. Imagine a cross between the first Johannes Cabal book, and Good Omens, but written in the offbeat way of Christopher Moore. Now take that and add heart times a hundred and you may have an idea what to expect. Seriously, this book gave me all the feels! A story about love and friendship that will make you feel warm inside and make you want to curl up next to your lover and call your best friend (not necessarily in that order). The main character is a young trans woman. Though there are ignorant people out there that may be turned off by that, I hope that they give this book a chance. They may recognize something of themselves in between the pages. Great art has the power to do that, to connect, to make people feel empathy. This book, is great art. 5 out of 5.

This book describes how art (music or donuts, in this case) can make you feel things. This book is as much a symphony as any played by its characters.

It never sugarcoats the bad—the characters have suffered from their own choices and the bigotry of others—but it transcends it. It says fuck the haters, you are yourself and you are beautiful and that is enough. I went in expecting wacky shenanigans and make no mistake, a lot of the plot hinges on a character being stuck on the highway and needing to pee. I wasn’t expecting to be so utterly emotionally wrecked and healed all at once as well. I haven’t felt this way on finishing a book since Cat Valente’s Space Opera.

Also, now I’m craving donuts.