Riku Can't Be a Goddess

by Kumi Tamaru

From an award-winning author comes this collection of four emotionally gripping stories about high schoolers' acceptance of themselves...and each other.

High school student Ichika has a secret. She's letting Riku, her childhood friend and secret crush, explore his interest in cross-dressing by acting as his personal dress-up doll–that is, until an unexpected kiss upends this happy arrangement, sending Ichika fleeing in a panic. But they're not the only ones finding themselves and putting their hearts through the wringer in the process. These four coming-of-age tales follow teenagers as they find–and confront–their true selves.

Genres: Light Novel, LGBT, Queer, Contemporary

280 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2024

Reviews

[Matthew Scheidler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im sobbing. What a gorgeous book examining the feelings of each character giving them a chance to shine. And how they all converge doesnt feel out of place. The ending made me cry happy tears. The only part I didnt understand was with Rinatro. Maybe i missed something.

Tw: sexual assault with pgs 157-158

Im trying to wrap my head around why rintaro the teacher said those words and the actions he did then left.

[Calista · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a short story collection, or novella collection that collects four stories loosely connected. It's set in a Japanese high school. The same kids are in all the stories and the focus of the story switches perspectives with each story.

The Beautiful Bombshell
Sakura, Sakura
Moon light, moon bright
The Hidden Calico

I think kids in early high school would enjoy this more as it might feel more important to them. I wasn't exactly happy with how the short stories were turning out. It's just a snapshot into a character's life. Nothing is really resolved. We leave the story with as many questions as we started with.

I was disappointed in this. I did like that characters recurred in all the stories. There were even a few connecting scenes to each story that the characters get to see from the inside and then the outside view. It could have been more, but I didn't think it did enough exploring. I guess, it's pretty close to life and very Japanese.

[rvaneio · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a wonderful collection of queer stories- both told by the people who ARE queer and the people who are associated and love someone who is. I think it is a great way of expressing both types, and I enjoyed reading every second. (Although the localization can definitely be a bit weird at times.)

There is a discussion of whether this book is problematic due to some scenes, and to that I say: take it as you will. I can say that the scenes are definitely uncomfortable, but I think it's more about why they happened rather than what happened. Especially since most scenes end up with the characters not holding any negative connotation towards them.

[Akansha · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

What...