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Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story
Seventeen-year-old Jaya Mehta detests wealth, secrets, and privilege, though he has them all. His family is Indian, originally from Gujarat. Rasa Santos, like many in Hawaii, is of mixed ethnicity. All she has are siblings, three of them, plus a mother who controls men like a black widow spider and leaves her children whenever she wants to. Neither Jaya nor Rasa have ever known real love or close family--not until their chance meeting one sunny day on a mountain in Hau’ula.
The unlikely love that blooms between them must survive the stranglehold their respective pasts have on them. Each of their present identities has been shaped by years of extreme family struggles. By the time they cross paths, Jaya is a transgender outsider with depressive tendencies and the stunningly beautiful Rasa thinks sex is her only power until a violent pimp takes over her life. Will their love transcend and pull them forward, or will they remain stuck and separate in the chaos of their pasts?
The unlikely love that blooms between them must survive the stranglehold their respective pasts have on them. Each of their present identities has been shaped by years of extreme family struggles. By the time they cross paths, Jaya is a transgender outsider with depressive tendencies and the stunningly beautiful Rasa thinks sex is her only power until a violent pimp takes over her life. Will their love transcend and pull them forward, or will they remain stuck and separate in the chaos of their pasts?
Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2017
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About the author
Sonia Patel
7 books103 followersSonia Patel is a first-generation Indian American born in New York and raised in Hawai’i. Her break-out novel, RANI PATEL IN FULL EFFECT, was a finalist for the William C. Morris Debut Award, a YALSA and Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book, and received four-starred reviews. Her subsequent YA novels JAYA AND RASA: A LOVE STORY and BLOODY SEOUL both received the In the Margins Book Award. She contributed a short story—NOTHING FEELS NO PAIN—to the YA anthology AB(SOLUTELY) NORMAL: SHORT STORIES THAT SMASH MENTAL HEALTH STEREOTYPES. Her fourth YA novel, GITA DESAI IS NOT HERE TO SHUT UP, will be published Summer 2024. As a child and adolescent psychiatrist trained at Stanford University and the University of Hawaii, Patel has spent over twenty years providing psychotherapy to youth and their families. She lives in Honolulu with her husband and teenage son, and misses her daughter who’s away at college.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
August 23, 2017
So…I have a lot of emotions about this book. This is a unique, diverse love story, and it’s unlike any I’ve read before.
tw: rape, eating disorders, alcoholism, abuse, attempted suicide
Jaya and Rasa follows the stories of the two title characters: the difficulties they face, and the love that blossoms between them despite their circumstances. Jaya is a trans boy of Indian descent, born into a wealthy but dysfunctional family. Rasa is the daughter of a prostitute, and struggles to care for her three younger siblings in an impoverished household.
The main characters are the greatest strength of this book: they’re those rare characters who feel so fully and accurately developed that you feel as though you’re reading a biography, or listening to a friend tell a story. Jaya and Rasa are two teenagers who find themselves in positions where they feel trapped, but somehow, they also manage to find each other.
This book addresses a host of subjects related to class, race, health, gender identity, abuse, and social issues, including but not limited to:
- discrimination against native Hawaiians whose land has been stolen by non-Hawaiians
- what it’s like trying to support a family while living in poverty
- prostitution
- verbal, physical, and sexual abuse
- eating disorders
- alcoholism
- coming out as trans to friends and family
This book can be a bit heavy at times. Some moments can be violent and sad, but overall it is a story of two young characters struggling to come to terms with the discrimination, exploitation, and skewed sense of morals they encounter in the world around them. Jaya and Rasa both have difficult lives, but the author shows that there is goodness and love to be found in other people, even if it takes time to see and accept.
I also want to add a disclaimer here: these are not subjects with which I have personal experience. While I have varying levels of knowledge about some of them, I know that I am not capable of judging whether or not the representation in this book is accurate or fair. As I write this review, there aren’t any other lengthy reviews on Goodreads, but I hope that as the publication date approaches there will be more feedback from ownvoices reviewers. If you’ve read this book and have any thoughts on the representation, please comment or message me and let me know. Diversity in literature is important, but what’s even more important is creating a discourse about these books and listening to other people’s opinions and reactions.
My only real complaint about this book was that the ending felt very rushed and abrupt. There was so much drama packed into those last 20 pages, and it was only barely beginning to be resolved when the book ended. I also wished we’d gotten to see more of Rasa’s siblings in the second half of the book. They seemed like they were starting to have some really interesting development in the beginning, and I wish we’d gotten to see more of their side of the story in the other foster home.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This review also appears on my blog.
tw: rape, eating disorders, alcoholism, abuse, attempted suicide
Jaya and Rasa follows the stories of the two title characters: the difficulties they face, and the love that blossoms between them despite their circumstances. Jaya is a trans boy of Indian descent, born into a wealthy but dysfunctional family. Rasa is the daughter of a prostitute, and struggles to care for her three younger siblings in an impoverished household.
The main characters are the greatest strength of this book: they’re those rare characters who feel so fully and accurately developed that you feel as though you’re reading a biography, or listening to a friend tell a story. Jaya and Rasa are two teenagers who find themselves in positions where they feel trapped, but somehow, they also manage to find each other.
This book addresses a host of subjects related to class, race, health, gender identity, abuse, and social issues, including but not limited to:
- discrimination against native Hawaiians whose land has been stolen by non-Hawaiians
- what it’s like trying to support a family while living in poverty
- prostitution
- verbal, physical, and sexual abuse
- eating disorders
- alcoholism
- coming out as trans to friends and family
This book can be a bit heavy at times. Some moments can be violent and sad, but overall it is a story of two young characters struggling to come to terms with the discrimination, exploitation, and skewed sense of morals they encounter in the world around them. Jaya and Rasa both have difficult lives, but the author shows that there is goodness and love to be found in other people, even if it takes time to see and accept.
I also want to add a disclaimer here: these are not subjects with which I have personal experience. While I have varying levels of knowledge about some of them, I know that I am not capable of judging whether or not the representation in this book is accurate or fair. As I write this review, there aren’t any other lengthy reviews on Goodreads, but I hope that as the publication date approaches there will be more feedback from ownvoices reviewers. If you’ve read this book and have any thoughts on the representation, please comment or message me and let me know. Diversity in literature is important, but what’s even more important is creating a discourse about these books and listening to other people’s opinions and reactions.
My only real complaint about this book was that the ending felt very rushed and abrupt. There was so much drama packed into those last 20 pages, and it was only barely beginning to be resolved when the book ended. I also wished we’d gotten to see more of Rasa’s siblings in the second half of the book. They seemed like they were starting to have some really interesting development in the beginning, and I wish we’d gotten to see more of their side of the story in the other foster home.
I received an ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This review also appears on my blog.
August 7, 2017
Powerful, raw and completely unfiltered mature YA that deals with incredibly complex topics
Thanks to Cinco Punto Press for providing me with an advance copy for review - all opinions are my own.
This is a BOOK. You know, the kind of book that gets under your skin and makes you wonder.....did I really want to read about all of that? You know......sex trafficking, rape, drugs, child abandonment? Oh, and parental unacceptance of a teen's gender identity and bulimia? And racial and cultural identity and colonialism? I mean, it's not happy. It's not pretty. It makes you FEEL things. And THINK about things. Things you don't want to believe exist. It makes you squirm and hate the world for letting these things happen to our children. So, do you really want to read it? Should there be YA books about these topics?
Well, the answer is yes. Yes, I want to read about all of that. And yes, there should be books about these topics. First of all, as a teacher, these issues need to be in front of me. Books need to open my eyes to what teens in our world are dealing with - and Patel knows this firsthand through her work as a psychiatrist working with teens. She knows what she writes. And yes, there are teens who need to read stories like this one. There are teens going through these exact struggles and needing to know they are not alone.
JAYA AND RASA certainly isn't a book for every teen (because what book is??), but I do recommend that every teacher, administrator and guidance counselor read it. It should be in library collections and guidance offices because even if there is just ONE student who needs it in any given population, it should be available. And as Rasa shows us in the book, we don't know which teen needs it. I appreciate the terseness of the writing style and the readability of the text, making it accessible to virtually all levels of YA readers.
I thank Patel for having the bravery to write this story and go where the majority of YA authors don't (won't?) go.
Thanks to Cinco Punto Press for providing me with an advance copy for review - all opinions are my own.
This is a BOOK. You know, the kind of book that gets under your skin and makes you wonder.....did I really want to read about all of that? You know......sex trafficking, rape, drugs, child abandonment? Oh, and parental unacceptance of a teen's gender identity and bulimia? And racial and cultural identity and colonialism? I mean, it's not happy. It's not pretty. It makes you FEEL things. And THINK about things. Things you don't want to believe exist. It makes you squirm and hate the world for letting these things happen to our children. So, do you really want to read it? Should there be YA books about these topics?
Well, the answer is yes. Yes, I want to read about all of that. And yes, there should be books about these topics. First of all, as a teacher, these issues need to be in front of me. Books need to open my eyes to what teens in our world are dealing with - and Patel knows this firsthand through her work as a psychiatrist working with teens. She knows what she writes. And yes, there are teens who need to read stories like this one. There are teens going through these exact struggles and needing to know they are not alone.
JAYA AND RASA certainly isn't a book for every teen (because what book is??), but I do recommend that every teacher, administrator and guidance counselor read it. It should be in library collections and guidance offices because even if there is just ONE student who needs it in any given population, it should be available. And as Rasa shows us in the book, we don't know which teen needs it. I appreciate the terseness of the writing style and the readability of the text, making it accessible to virtually all levels of YA readers.
I thank Patel for having the bravery to write this story and go where the majority of YA authors don't (won't?) go.
January 29, 2018
This was a four star read for me until the ending. Obviously, this is dealing with traumatic, horrific life experiences, but they're told in a simple writing style which kept me hooked. I can't speak to any of the representation, since I'm cis and white. I do think it's especially worth warning about the ending, though, which ruined Jaya for me and Jaya and Rasa's relationship:
[trigger warning for suicide, guns]
[trigger warning for suicide, guns]
October 19, 2017
Thank you so much, Edelweiss, Cinco Puntos Press and Consortium Books for the advance copy
This was a wonderful book.
The story is basically the equivalent of a punch in the gut that never stops; it's basically a general state of pain. To be fair, there are plenty of happy times, there are times where you smile and even laugh: there are very cute moments that will have you "aaaaw-ing" with little effort. But the pain is still there, because you just can't help thinking that, even though some happy moments do happen, it's not enough to balance the misery and tragedy that rules over our MCs' lives.
Character-wise, this story is irreproachable: Jaya and Rasa are both characters you find yourself rooting for since page 1, when you don't even know them that well yet. You root for them even harder when they start revealing themselves to you. It's inevitable: you want these kids to catch a break, to have one moment where they can be safe, and happy. They deserve it.
As for the other characters, they can drop dead any time and trust me, you wouldn't even bat an eye, they're all horrible (Except for Rasa's siblings, they are precious and deserve all the good things).
Now, even though in general I do think the story was wonderful, there is a reason why I'm giving it four stars and not five: I wasn't entirely sold on the way it was told. The chapters always ended in a way that seemed they were... Incomplete. There was more fade-to-black than was necessary (as in, the chapters lacked conclusion, and it didn't make sense that they ended wherever they ended). As it was, with the additional fact that the chapters alternated povs, the whole storytelling got a bit too messy.
On another note (but not really), there's also worth mentioning the fact of Ach's story arc: I felt that there were more than enough hints at something happening to him at some point, something maybe similar to what happened to Rasa, but it got introduced very subtly with the mention of a detail and then it got brought up maybe once but it never saw any resolution. It rubbed me the wrong way cause I think it was important and I felt it got dropped too easily. Or maybe I gave it more consideration than was intended. Who knows? Not me.
The ending, while satisfactory, also felt a bit too abrupt- and it left a bit of an open ending, maybe. Not hinting at a sequel but in the sense of this seemed more of a HFN than a HEA, because there were things that were literally left unatended and weren't properly wrapped up. I felt like, okay, I can forgive that strategy for a regular chapter, but the last chapter needs closure, it needs to feel like the ending of the book, not like it's missing a page, or even a paragraph.
So yeah. Story: 5 stars. Development: 3 stars. Hence the final rating.
This was a wonderful book.
The story is basically the equivalent of a punch in the gut that never stops; it's basically a general state of pain. To be fair, there are plenty of happy times, there are times where you smile and even laugh: there are very cute moments that will have you "aaaaw-ing" with little effort. But the pain is still there, because you just can't help thinking that, even though some happy moments do happen, it's not enough to balance the misery and tragedy that rules over our MCs' lives.
Character-wise, this story is irreproachable: Jaya and Rasa are both characters you find yourself rooting for since page 1, when you don't even know them that well yet. You root for them even harder when they start revealing themselves to you. It's inevitable: you want these kids to catch a break, to have one moment where they can be safe, and happy. They deserve it.
As for the other characters, they can drop dead any time and trust me, you wouldn't even bat an eye, they're all horrible (Except for Rasa's siblings, they are precious and deserve all the good things).
Now, even though in general I do think the story was wonderful, there is a reason why I'm giving it four stars and not five: I wasn't entirely sold on the way it was told. The chapters always ended in a way that seemed they were... Incomplete. There was more fade-to-black than was necessary (as in, the chapters lacked conclusion, and it didn't make sense that they ended wherever they ended). As it was, with the additional fact that the chapters alternated povs, the whole storytelling got a bit too messy.
On another note (but not really), there's also worth mentioning the fact of Ach's story arc: I felt that there were more than enough hints at something happening to him at some point, something maybe similar to what happened to Rasa, but it got introduced very subtly with the mention of a detail and then it got brought up maybe once but it never saw any resolution. It rubbed me the wrong way cause I think it was important and I felt it got dropped too easily. Or maybe I gave it more consideration than was intended. Who knows? Not me.
The ending, while satisfactory, also felt a bit too abrupt- and it left a bit of an open ending, maybe. Not hinting at a sequel but in the sense of this seemed more of a HFN than a HEA, because there were things that were literally left unatended and weren't properly wrapped up. I felt like, okay, I can forgive that strategy for a regular chapter, but the last chapter needs closure, it needs to feel like the ending of the book, not like it's missing a page, or even a paragraph.
So yeah. Story: 5 stars. Development: 3 stars. Hence the final rating.
October 30, 2017
3.5 stars
*Please read an extensive trigger warning list in the end of the review*
I used to have asthma when I was a kid, it got better when I grew up. However, I had an episode couple of years ago. I was in other city and I was visiting my friend. She had a cat and a dog. I though my allergy-triggered asthma would be ok. It had been years since anything happened. I thought I was okay. About several hours after arriving to her place, I started having troubles breathing. It was the most terrifying moment. My meds didn't help, I didn't know where to go because I had to stay at her place for several days and I couldn't fucking breathe. Long story short, I survived, obviously, and I'm writing this review.
The book felt like that terrifying moment of not being able to breathe and losing hope for getting better.
Jaya and Rasa: a Love Story tells a story about two kids who grew up in Hawaii. The story starts when they are about seven years old and we follow their life until they are seventeen. They don't meet until the middle of the book. The story has two very distinct storylines.
One storyline is about Rasa. A daughter of a prostitute, a older sister to her three younger siblings. They live in poverty, mother in neglectful and Jaya assumes a role of a mother to her siblings. Rasa is of Tupi-Portuguee-African heritage. As a result of her mother neglect, she starts turning tricks to earn money to pay for food. And it only gets worst.
The other storyline is about Jaya. A transgender Indian boy, who came from Gujarat with his parents to live in Hawaii. His parents are strict followers of traditions or let's say a facade of happy family. When Jaya's father lends on big contract and they become rich, he keeps on cheating on Jaya's mother and his mother develops eating disorder (bulimia). Jaya struggles with family expectations and that he is seen by his parents as a daughter he isn't.
This is dark and heartbreaking story, but these voices must be heard. I definitely recommend to read this rather short book.
A quick search about Sonia Patel led me to her author website. She's queer woman of Indian heritage, living in Hawaii. She has History degree and Medical degree. She's practicing psychiatrist who is working in Hawaii. Sonia Patel works with teens to help them to deal with emotional issues, gender issues, sexuality issues, abuse of all types etc.
If anybody can tell this difficult story of Jaya and Rasa, it's Sonia Patel.
I loved Jaya and Rasa from page 1. They are extremely well-written and developed.
Special shoutout to Rasa's younger siblings. They are the sweetest and deserve the world, just as Rasa and Jaya deserve it too.
The book has ownvoices rep, it's diverse and the children are extremely lovable, so why three stars?
1) the ending is abrupt and unsatisfying. I need a stronger resolution and it hasn't happened.
It was centered exclusively around Jaya and Rasa. What about other characters? We never learn about it. Especially Rasa's siblings.
2) for personal reasons, it was hard for me to read the book. While I acknowledge that it's an important and necessary story to see, it was too grim, too dark, too much.
Even bright happy moments were overshadowed by the grim reality. I strongly suspect that was the point but I couldn't do it.
By the end of the book I started skim-reading scenes of rape and assault.
All in all, Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story is important and unique book, the story will stay with me, but as a form of literature and the execution of said story, it leaves some things to be desired, in my opinion.
Trigger warnings:rape, abuse, sexual assaults, pedophilia, sexual predators, sex with underage and minor character (started when she was 12), prostitution, sex slavery, mother pumping her daughter, drugs, suicide attempts, parental neglect, eating disorder, bulimia, transphobia, homophobia. Everything is explicit and on the page.
*Please read an extensive trigger warning list in the end of the review*
I used to have asthma when I was a kid, it got better when I grew up. However, I had an episode couple of years ago. I was in other city and I was visiting my friend. She had a cat and a dog. I though my allergy-triggered asthma would be ok. It had been years since anything happened. I thought I was okay. About several hours after arriving to her place, I started having troubles breathing. It was the most terrifying moment. My meds didn't help, I didn't know where to go because I had to stay at her place for several days and I couldn't fucking breathe. Long story short, I survived, obviously, and I'm writing this review.
The book felt like that terrifying moment of not being able to breathe and losing hope for getting better.
Jaya and Rasa: a Love Story tells a story about two kids who grew up in Hawaii. The story starts when they are about seven years old and we follow their life until they are seventeen. They don't meet until the middle of the book. The story has two very distinct storylines.
One storyline is about Rasa. A daughter of a prostitute, a older sister to her three younger siblings. They live in poverty, mother in neglectful and Jaya assumes a role of a mother to her siblings. Rasa is of Tupi-Portuguee-African heritage. As a result of her mother neglect, she starts turning tricks to earn money to pay for food. And it only gets worst.
The other storyline is about Jaya. A transgender Indian boy, who came from Gujarat with his parents to live in Hawaii. His parents are strict followers of traditions or let's say a facade of happy family. When Jaya's father lends on big contract and they become rich, he keeps on cheating on Jaya's mother and his mother develops eating disorder (bulimia). Jaya struggles with family expectations and that he is seen by his parents as a daughter he isn't.
This is dark and heartbreaking story, but these voices must be heard. I definitely recommend to read this rather short book.
A quick search about Sonia Patel led me to her author website. She's queer woman of Indian heritage, living in Hawaii. She has History degree and Medical degree. She's practicing psychiatrist who is working in Hawaii. Sonia Patel works with teens to help them to deal with emotional issues, gender issues, sexuality issues, abuse of all types etc.
If anybody can tell this difficult story of Jaya and Rasa, it's Sonia Patel.
I loved Jaya and Rasa from page 1. They are extremely well-written and developed.
Special shoutout to Rasa's younger siblings. They are the sweetest and deserve the world, just as Rasa and Jaya deserve it too.
The book has ownvoices rep, it's diverse and the children are extremely lovable, so why three stars?
1) the ending is abrupt and unsatisfying. I need a stronger resolution and it hasn't happened.
It was centered exclusively around Jaya and Rasa. What about other characters? We never learn about it. Especially Rasa's siblings.
2) for personal reasons, it was hard for me to read the book. While I acknowledge that it's an important and necessary story to see, it was too grim, too dark, too much.
Even bright happy moments were overshadowed by the grim reality. I strongly suspect that was the point but I couldn't do it.
By the end of the book I started skim-reading scenes of rape and assault.
All in all, Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story is important and unique book, the story will stay with me, but as a form of literature and the execution of said story, it leaves some things to be desired, in my opinion.
Trigger warnings:rape, abuse, sexual assaults, pedophilia, sexual predators, sex with underage and minor character (started when she was 12), prostitution, sex slavery, mother pumping her daughter, drugs, suicide attempts, parental neglect, eating disorder, bulimia, transphobia, homophobia. Everything is explicit and on the page.
July 6, 2020
This book clearly had a lot of potential, but the writing felt forced and there was so much drama that it quickly started feeling like the author had a list of horrible things that should happen and was trying to tick off as many as possible. I sincerely question the labelling of this book as young adult, because of the amount of mature and possibly triggering content.
May 3, 2018
This book is basically 'how much traumatic shit can happen to one person before they get the cops involved' Answer it's a lot. This was very mature, well written, heartbreaking but important read it. RTC (after i return from exam hell)
August 27, 2017
TW: rape, pedophilia, child prostitution, abuse, bulimia, suicide
I really wanted to love this book, so it's unfortunate that there was too much in it that I just didn't like.
It had a very promising premise. The interweaving stories of a young, Indian trans boy, and a working class Hawaiian girl from a troubled family. The blurb suggests that this book follows the love story between this unlikely pair. Which... if I'm honest, the book doesn't really. Of course, the love story is there. But it doesn't appear until halfway into the book. We spent the first half of the book learning about Jaya and Rasa's life. Which is important, obviously - but not exactly the story I signed up for. Their story also seems to speed by quite fast. Years go by at the turn of a chapter, and at times I wasn't quite sure about the passing of time, or how old Jaya and Rasa are.
The book was also incredibly depressing. Don't get me wrong - the things explored in this book are important, but the way everything piles up, grows and grows. It's incredibly dark. While it might be for some readers, it just wasn't for me.
There were also a lot of stereotypical characters, that were never developed further than their stereotypes. Likewise there were stereotypical plotlines that never quite developed past being stereotypical. For example, the cheating husband who is found out by a lipstick stain on his collar.
The end of the book also felt really rushed. Jaya and Rasa meet. Love at first sight essentially. They have a really awkwardly written conversation and decide to start dating.
I really wanted to love this book, so it's unfortunate that there was too much in it that I just didn't like.
It had a very promising premise. The interweaving stories of a young, Indian trans boy, and a working class Hawaiian girl from a troubled family. The blurb suggests that this book follows the love story between this unlikely pair. Which... if I'm honest, the book doesn't really. Of course, the love story is there. But it doesn't appear until halfway into the book. We spent the first half of the book learning about Jaya and Rasa's life. Which is important, obviously - but not exactly the story I signed up for. Their story also seems to speed by quite fast. Years go by at the turn of a chapter, and at times I wasn't quite sure about the passing of time, or how old Jaya and Rasa are.
The book was also incredibly depressing. Don't get me wrong - the things explored in this book are important, but the way everything piles up, grows and grows. It's incredibly dark. While it might be for some readers, it just wasn't for me.
There were also a lot of stereotypical characters, that were never developed further than their stereotypes. Likewise there were stereotypical plotlines that never quite developed past being stereotypical. For example, the cheating husband who is found out by a lipstick stain on his collar.
The end of the book also felt really rushed. Jaya and Rasa meet. Love at first sight essentially. They have a really awkwardly written conversation and decide to start dating.
March 17, 2021
Here's the thing. This was a 4 star read for me until the end. We spend years with Jaya and Rasa. Rasa goes from a neglected child to a teenager turning tricks like her mother to put food in her siblings bellies. Jaya goes through recognizing who he truly is and coming out to his best friend.
Now comes the concerns & warnings⚠️
This book contains so much trauma. The triggers I wrote down while reading are sexual assault, prostitution, sex trafficking, eating disorder, homophobia, transphobia, suicidal ideation, infidelity, & drug use. The author fit as much awful stuff in here as she possibly could. But some of it was also SUPER problematic. ⚠️
Firstly, there is an extremely troubling depiction of foster care. Rasa's foster parents turn out to be directly involved in sex trafficking. Foster care doesn't need books depicting it as full of abusers. I know the system isn't perfect, but this image of foster care caused me concern.
On an even more important note, the book takes our trans character and turns him into a manipulative abuser himself at the end. When Rasa finally tells him she's a victim of sex trafficking, he accuses her of lying, accuses her of liking it, slut shames her and repeatedly tells her that she could have made a different choice. He also manipulates her emotions by attempting to shoot himself in front of her after saying all of this. When I tell you I almost set this book on fire. Mental illness is not a shock factor plot point. Suicide is not a bargaining tactic. I was repulsed by this. Especially because the resolution is Rasa apologizing to HIM and agreeing to go to the cops "like she should have all along". The story literally ends with the victim apologizing for being a victim (of child sex trafficking none the less) and Jaya saying "wow good thing that gun didn't work." I am a cis person so correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't feel like the rep trans people or mental illness needs. In YA nonetheless.
What the actual hell.
Now comes the concerns & warnings⚠️
This book contains so much trauma. The triggers I wrote down while reading are sexual assault, prostitution, sex trafficking, eating disorder, homophobia, transphobia, suicidal ideation, infidelity, & drug use. The author fit as much awful stuff in here as she possibly could. But some of it was also SUPER problematic. ⚠️
Firstly, there is an extremely troubling depiction of foster care. Rasa's foster parents turn out to be directly involved in sex trafficking. Foster care doesn't need books depicting it as full of abusers. I know the system isn't perfect, but this image of foster care caused me concern.
On an even more important note, the book takes our trans character and turns him into a manipulative abuser himself at the end. When Rasa finally tells him she's a victim of sex trafficking, he accuses her of lying, accuses her of liking it, slut shames her and repeatedly tells her that she could have made a different choice. He also manipulates her emotions by attempting to shoot himself in front of her after saying all of this. When I tell you I almost set this book on fire. Mental illness is not a shock factor plot point. Suicide is not a bargaining tactic. I was repulsed by this. Especially because the resolution is Rasa apologizing to HIM and agreeing to go to the cops "like she should have all along". The story literally ends with the victim apologizing for being a victim (of child sex trafficking none the less) and Jaya saying "wow good thing that gun didn't work." I am a cis person so correct me if I'm wrong, but this doesn't feel like the rep trans people or mental illness needs. In YA nonetheless.
What the actual hell.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2023
I loved getting to know their backstories in depth and seeing the build up of their relationship. It was soo beautiful and the representation was incredible.
January 3, 2019
@kidlitexchange #partner
This is a book that will save lives. This is a book that some kids and adults are going to need and I desperately hope this book gets in their hands.
Jaya and Rasa is, by no stretch of the imagination, an easy book to read. It is a harrowing experience. This is a story of people who society has pushed out of sight for its own convenience and I am thankful Sonia Patel took on putting this story back into the light. To those who may ask whether or not all the issues are realistically represented in this book or could all simultaneously affect the lives of two young people so much - I would point you to take a look at Sonia Patel. I don’t doubt this badass psychiatrist knows exactly what she’s talking about and wrote truthfully and accurately about the trauma that far too many kids endure.
As I stayed up into the wee hours needing to know how this story ended - or should I say began - for these two incredibly strong young humans, I found myself thinking “maybe this isn’t a story for everyone.” But then I pushed myself. I thought of my work with my kids, and all the incredible (mostly) women I know who work with the entirely overlooked but still shockingly resilient men and women that society has seemingly forgotten. And I realized that no - this story should be for everyone. Because perhaps in a moment where everyone else has forgotten - or others have knowingly done harm - in the moment of their greatest need, perhaps you’ll be the one who can place this book into those hands that need it the most.
PS On a lighter note, I also think that @soniapatel808 and @monique.w.morris (author of PUSHOUT) would and should be besties and should probably take over running the free world. #kidlitexchange
This is a book that will save lives. This is a book that some kids and adults are going to need and I desperately hope this book gets in their hands.
Jaya and Rasa is, by no stretch of the imagination, an easy book to read. It is a harrowing experience. This is a story of people who society has pushed out of sight for its own convenience and I am thankful Sonia Patel took on putting this story back into the light. To those who may ask whether or not all the issues are realistically represented in this book or could all simultaneously affect the lives of two young people so much - I would point you to take a look at Sonia Patel. I don’t doubt this badass psychiatrist knows exactly what she’s talking about and wrote truthfully and accurately about the trauma that far too many kids endure.
As I stayed up into the wee hours needing to know how this story ended - or should I say began - for these two incredibly strong young humans, I found myself thinking “maybe this isn’t a story for everyone.” But then I pushed myself. I thought of my work with my kids, and all the incredible (mostly) women I know who work with the entirely overlooked but still shockingly resilient men and women that society has seemingly forgotten. And I realized that no - this story should be for everyone. Because perhaps in a moment where everyone else has forgotten - or others have knowingly done harm - in the moment of their greatest need, perhaps you’ll be the one who can place this book into those hands that need it the most.
PS On a lighter note, I also think that @soniapatel808 and @monique.w.morris (author of PUSHOUT) would and should be besties and should probably take over running the free world. #kidlitexchange
August 7, 2017
This is a heavy one like Such a Pretty Girl and Dime, focusing on sexual abuse and prostitution with a second vivid character, a richer trans character whose family is so dysfunctional that Jaya's sexuality is "just another thing" and generally covered up for the "beauty" of what their family needs to look like on the outside (on the inside, Jaya's father is an adulterer and mother becomes suicidal).
Rasa's mother is a disillusioned mess who believes she is some kind of goddess that can control men with her sexuality, which is how she thinks she takes care of her children. Instead, Rasa really takes care of her younger siblings and realizes that she can have some power using her sexuality as well. The saddest scene is likely when Rasa's mother begins to pimp her daughter BUT THIS IS ONLY AFTER Rasa has already lost her virginity with a man who frequents her mother and preyed on Rasa. This is a frighteningly sad and upsetting family dynamic that continues to unravel. It is hard to read.
But you can see that both Jaya and Rasa need something to hold on to and when they discover each other, a very rushed ending focuses on their revealing their dark secrets to one another and realizing they need each other to heal. It's a beautiful and dark story.
Rasa's mother is a disillusioned mess who believes she is some kind of goddess that can control men with her sexuality, which is how she thinks she takes care of her children. Instead, Rasa really takes care of her younger siblings and realizes that she can have some power using her sexuality as well. The saddest scene is likely when Rasa's mother begins to pimp her daughter BUT THIS IS ONLY AFTER Rasa has already lost her virginity with a man who frequents her mother and preyed on Rasa. This is a frighteningly sad and upsetting family dynamic that continues to unravel. It is hard to read.
But you can see that both Jaya and Rasa need something to hold on to and when they discover each other, a very rushed ending focuses on their revealing their dark secrets to one another and realizing they need each other to heal. It's a beautiful and dark story.
June 16, 2020
5 stars and many tears
TW: Sexual abuse, child abuse, eating disorder, suicide thoughts, suicide attempts, drug abuse, homophobia, transphobia
Positive things
I NEVER read a book that is this underrated. It is a miracle that I found it! The book is written in a heartfelt way that it will destroy and rip your heart apart. I also do not recommend reading it, when you are not mentally stable.
The author lives in Hawaii so I am pretty much sure this book is to a part #ownvoices. She is a psychiatrist and said that the MC's of this book are based on experiences of patients and all of this is a lot. Personally, I thought the LGBT rep was well executed. The book focused on many important and depressing topics and still managed to not make the story feel 'stuffed' or neglectful towards a certain topic.
The MC's had so much personality and so much pain, but them ending up happy and safe was totally worth the emotional tournament I went through while reading.
Negative Things
I saw many people criticizing the ending and I understand why it is not well received. It basically ends the story before the great showdown! Personally, idk about the ending, but I get why the author did this. It can and will be a rocky and long process for Rasa to demand justice. I will take a long time and will be nerve wrecking and probably, she probably will not get any justice. The system failed her already once and getting justice as a dark skinned girl over a wealthy white man in USA is pretty much impossible. I prefer the story to end on a happy notice than this.
TW: Sexual abuse, child abuse, eating disorder, suicide thoughts, suicide attempts, drug abuse, homophobia, transphobia
Positive things
I NEVER read a book that is this underrated. It is a miracle that I found it! The book is written in a heartfelt way that it will destroy and rip your heart apart. I also do not recommend reading it, when you are not mentally stable.
The author lives in Hawaii so I am pretty much sure this book is to a part #ownvoices. She is a psychiatrist and said that the MC's of this book are based on experiences of patients and all of this is a lot. Personally, I thought the LGBT rep was well executed. The book focused on many important and depressing topics and still managed to not make the story feel 'stuffed' or neglectful towards a certain topic.
The MC's had so much personality and so much pain, but them ending up happy and safe was totally worth the emotional tournament I went through while reading.
Negative Things
I saw many people criticizing the ending and I understand why it is not well received. It basically ends the story before the great showdown! Personally, idk about the ending, but I get why the author did this. It can and will be a rocky and long process for Rasa to demand justice. I will take a long time and will be nerve wrecking and probably, she probably will not get any justice. The system failed her already once and getting justice as a dark skinned girl over a wealthy white man in USA is pretty much impossible. I prefer the story to end on a happy notice than this.
March 24, 2019
Folx, this books needs a list of trigger and content warnings and I'm trying to list them below as best as I can. Almost all of them are graphically descripted, not just mentioned, please take care of yourselves first.
- child neglect
- sexual assault and rape of a minor
- sexual exploitation of a minor
- Anti-trans hatred
- disordered eating
- domestic violence
- alcoholism and alcohol-induced violence
- multiple threats of death by suicide by one side character
Okay so. You might want to put this book aside as something like torture porn or think the content I just described makes this book unnecessarily violent and brutal.
That is not what it is.
This story is brutal. It cuts you open, it makes your heart break and bleed, and depending on your mental health place can be almost impossible to read. I did have to put it down a couple of times.
The thing is that it is written from a place that isn't focused on being a spectator to cruelty and brutality (and also from an ownvoices perspective). Every scene, every cruel thing and hard passage is part of the life story of a young girl and a trans boy who are not white, privileged and living their best, careless life as teenagers. And you as a reader experience it *with* them, all of it, instead of just witnessing it from afar. The good, the bad, the excruciating, the love and the hate. And it ends right in the middle of a moment that can change everything, for better or worse. I think that's important to know going in. There is no HEA. There is no full-circle solution. There's not even a "safe and happy for now".
All of it, from beginning to end is hard to swallow, to digest and to process while reading, and long after. It's not for everyone, I'm sure of that. For me, it was powerful and moving. And speaking from a youth social worker perspective heartbreakingly realistic, a brutal light shining into the darkest corners of what I see on the job, and also on how my cases can end - abruptly, without a solution, without a magic fix for everything, because every solution breaks something and none of it is ever easy.
I can only recommend it with caution, but it most definitely was a powerful and moving read for me.
- child neglect
- sexual assault and rape of a minor
- sexual exploitation of a minor
- Anti-trans hatred
- disordered eating
- domestic violence
- alcoholism and alcohol-induced violence
- multiple threats of death by suicide by one side character
Okay so. You might want to put this book aside as something like torture porn or think the content I just described makes this book unnecessarily violent and brutal.
That is not what it is.
This story is brutal. It cuts you open, it makes your heart break and bleed, and depending on your mental health place can be almost impossible to read. I did have to put it down a couple of times.
The thing is that it is written from a place that isn't focused on being a spectator to cruelty and brutality (and also from an ownvoices perspective). Every scene, every cruel thing and hard passage is part of the life story of a young girl and a trans boy who are not white, privileged and living their best, careless life as teenagers. And you as a reader experience it *with* them, all of it, instead of just witnessing it from afar. The good, the bad, the excruciating, the love and the hate. And it ends right in the middle of a moment that can change everything, for better or worse. I think that's important to know going in. There is no HEA. There is no full-circle solution. There's not even a "safe and happy for now".
All of it, from beginning to end is hard to swallow, to digest and to process while reading, and long after. It's not for everyone, I'm sure of that. For me, it was powerful and moving. And speaking from a youth social worker perspective heartbreakingly realistic, a brutal light shining into the darkest corners of what I see on the job, and also on how my cases can end - abruptly, without a solution, without a magic fix for everything, because every solution breaks something and none of it is ever easy.
I can only recommend it with caution, but it most definitely was a powerful and moving read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2019
Wow. Gotta say, this book was definitely not what I'd expected it to be when I'd initially picked it up.
The complexity of background given to the characters is insane. The love interests actually don't meet each other until a little after halfway through the story, but the author makes up for it by creating a love-at-first-sight scenario between the two. Throughout the first half of the book, you see Jaya transition genders while his parents fight in the background, and Rasa deal with having to take care of her siblings while her mother sells her body to financially provide for her family. Every moment leading up to the meeting of the two is intense and unpredictable... but I gotta be honest; my excitement ended there. After their feelings of affection towards the other become plainly obvious, the rest of the book follows a sweet, yet boring path. I mean, the action definitely continues. The ending begins jarring and frightening, *spoilers!!* and you fear for Jaya as he contemplates taking his own life. It ultimately all ends well, if not short. I particularly enjoyed this book because of how fast-paced it was, and how easy it was to sympathize with the main characters. It truly humanizes the main two communities in a way rarely seen in the media. Because of that, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this story to a child just because of how much sex(and I mean like, a LOT of sex) goes on, but to anyone age 13 and older, it's a must-read.
The complexity of background given to the characters is insane. The love interests actually don't meet each other until a little after halfway through the story, but the author makes up for it by creating a love-at-first-sight scenario between the two. Throughout the first half of the book, you see Jaya transition genders while his parents fight in the background, and Rasa deal with having to take care of her siblings while her mother sells her body to financially provide for her family. Every moment leading up to the meeting of the two is intense and unpredictable... but I gotta be honest; my excitement ended there. After their feelings of affection towards the other become plainly obvious, the rest of the book follows a sweet, yet boring path. I mean, the action definitely continues. The ending begins jarring and frightening, *spoilers!!* and you fear for Jaya as he contemplates taking his own life. It ultimately all ends well, if not short. I particularly enjoyed this book because of how fast-paced it was, and how easy it was to sympathize with the main characters. It truly humanizes the main two communities in a way rarely seen in the media. Because of that, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this story to a child just because of how much sex(and I mean like, a LOT of sex) goes on, but to anyone age 13 and older, it's a must-read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 20, 2021going to put this on hold for a bit
March 3, 2018
Jaya and Rasa was not quite what I expected. I thought it would be more of Jaya and Rasa together, but the majority of the book tells the stories of their lives before they even meet. They are important stories that deserve to be told- it's just not what I was expecting.I enjoyed the writing and the characters, but as I write this review a couple weeks later I already don't recall how it ended or many details. Keep in mind that I am a 38 year old cis white woman, and although I love LGBTQ fiction, it just won't always impact me as it would for someone who may find more common ground with these characters.
October 16, 2017
I thought this book was pretty fantastic. Each chapter switched between the characters of Jaya, a 17-year-old transgender youth, and Rasa, a young woman of mixed ethnicity who turns to prostitution in order to care for her younger siblings when her mother abandons them. The characters were wonderful - kind, generous and loyal - and each tried to live life as best they could under the situations they found themselves in, which were heartbreaking and disgusting.
October 29, 2017
A challenging honest book. A story of the complexity of life and finding your own way when the adults in your life are horrible examples. This book is for mature young adults (and covers possibly triggering concepts) but which is relatable for many young adults.
January 9, 2023
The entire time I read this I felt like this book was so close to being good, but it fell short for me. To be honest, it borders on trauma porn.
Now, I get it, not everyone has happy lives and I work with students who have had terrible things happen to them, things that would make your heart sink straight to the ground, but this book was just… a lot.
Mild spoilers ahead:
Rasa grows up poor and begins work as a sex worker at age 12 to support herself and three siblings as her mother will disappear for days on end (also a sex worker). Jaya grows up wealthy, but struggles to ever tell his parents he is trans (female to male) and lives in a house where his father cheats on his mother and his mother binges and purges to deal with the stress. Eventually Rasa and Jaya meet and fall in love, but oof. I couldn’t get past some of the highly preposterous scenarios.
Several times, Rasa talks about how her mother can seduce anyone anytime she likes. In fact, we watch it happen where she seduces two random cops in the middle of the day.
I’m sorry- but the assumption that someone can seduce anyone at anytime regardless of profession or marital status is ridiculous. It’s not ridiculous for someone’s parent to be a sex worker, but to walk up to two cops in the middle of the day, show them cleavage and then have them agree to paid sex in the span of two sentences? Nah.
Rasa going into foster care and attending school after not having gone to school for years and being a straight A students while turning tricks for her pimp on the weekends? No.
Every rich man in Waikiki is a pedophile who wants to sleep with Rasa? What?!
Jaya going from screaming he’s going to kill himself because he doesn’t believe something Rasa told him to believing her in one page? I can’t.
There’s more unrealistic events that occur, but I’m not going to list them all because then the entire book would be spoiled.
Here’s the thing though: Had I read this in high school I probably would have thought it was deep and touching. As an adult, I found myself rolling my eyes and cringing at much of the dialogue.
It wasn’t terrible enough that I didn’t finish and since I might have though it was good in high school I gave it two stars, but if you’re an adult who enjoys YA, stay clear. It’s a lot and the payoff is small.
Now, I get it, not everyone has happy lives and I work with students who have had terrible things happen to them, things that would make your heart sink straight to the ground, but this book was just… a lot.
Mild spoilers ahead:
Rasa grows up poor and begins work as a sex worker at age 12 to support herself and three siblings as her mother will disappear for days on end (also a sex worker). Jaya grows up wealthy, but struggles to ever tell his parents he is trans (female to male) and lives in a house where his father cheats on his mother and his mother binges and purges to deal with the stress. Eventually Rasa and Jaya meet and fall in love, but oof. I couldn’t get past some of the highly preposterous scenarios.
Several times, Rasa talks about how her mother can seduce anyone anytime she likes. In fact, we watch it happen where she seduces two random cops in the middle of the day.
I’m sorry- but the assumption that someone can seduce anyone at anytime regardless of profession or marital status is ridiculous. It’s not ridiculous for someone’s parent to be a sex worker, but to walk up to two cops in the middle of the day, show them cleavage and then have them agree to paid sex in the span of two sentences? Nah.
Rasa going into foster care and attending school after not having gone to school for years and being a straight A students while turning tricks for her pimp on the weekends? No.
Every rich man in Waikiki is a pedophile who wants to sleep with Rasa? What?!
Jaya going from screaming he’s going to kill himself because he doesn’t believe something Rasa told him to believing her in one page? I can’t.
There’s more unrealistic events that occur, but I’m not going to list them all because then the entire book would be spoiled.
Here’s the thing though: Had I read this in high school I probably would have thought it was deep and touching. As an adult, I found myself rolling my eyes and cringing at much of the dialogue.
It wasn’t terrible enough that I didn’t finish and since I might have though it was good in high school I gave it two stars, but if you’re an adult who enjoys YA, stay clear. It’s a lot and the payoff is small.
August 27, 2023
Full disclosure: I read this book in 2020, so I don't remember it too well other than the notes I wrote during and after reading. But honestly, it's a book I'd like to forget I'd read.
I really wanted to like this book. The art/cover caught my attention and the synopsis seemed solid. I went into the story thinking it would be a nice romance novel with a diverse BIPOC cast and with Jaya dealing with the struggles of being trans/coming out to both family and a love interest (Rasa). And in the beginning, it looked like it might deliver! For me as a transmasc nonbinary guy, the only positives were the diversity. IIRC, the trans representation was okay but not really the main focus as I thought it would be. It deals with the typical struggles of self-discovery and transphobia amongst racism as well, but the triggers went so much deeper than that. In fact, that was about the least triggering content in the book.
To put it bluntly, this book focuses far more on extremely sensitive and mature topics such as rape/CSA, abuse and sexual abuse in general, grooming, human trafficking, an eating disorder, drugs, and suicide attempts/ideation. This is not something I expected out of a YA book--It was tough to read as an adult and I can't imagine reading it as a teenager and not feeling sick to my stomach.
On top of all that, the pacing felt extremely odd. It felt like a ton of buildup and then a race to finish the novel. The title reads "Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story" but this book doesn't feel like a romance at ALL. This book felt so misleading that I'm literally writing a review 3 years *after* reading in hopes that others will go into it with different expectations instead of being startled by such disturbing content that could easily bring up trauma/trigger unaware readers. I feel like if it was upfront about how serious the content went, it might have been a better read. I understand this author seems to pride herself in writing about tough subjects, and I can respect that. But it's ridiculous to hide it within what appears to be another LGBT+ romance novel.
SPOILERS AHEAD
___
I really wanted to like this book. The art/cover caught my attention and the synopsis seemed solid. I went into the story thinking it would be a nice romance novel with a diverse BIPOC cast and with Jaya dealing with the struggles of being trans/coming out to both family and a love interest (Rasa). And in the beginning, it looked like it might deliver! For me as a transmasc nonbinary guy, the only positives were the diversity. IIRC, the trans representation was okay but not really the main focus as I thought it would be. It deals with the typical struggles of self-discovery and transphobia amongst racism as well, but the triggers went so much deeper than that. In fact, that was about the least triggering content in the book.
To put it bluntly, this book focuses far more on extremely sensitive and mature topics such as rape/CSA, abuse and sexual abuse in general, grooming, human trafficking, an eating disorder, drugs, and suicide attempts/ideation. This is not something I expected out of a YA book--It was tough to read as an adult and I can't imagine reading it as a teenager and not feeling sick to my stomach.
On top of all that, the pacing felt extremely odd. It felt like a ton of buildup and then a race to finish the novel. The title reads "Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story" but this book doesn't feel like a romance at ALL. This book felt so misleading that I'm literally writing a review 3 years *after* reading in hopes that others will go into it with different expectations instead of being startled by such disturbing content that could easily bring up trauma/trigger unaware readers. I feel like if it was upfront about how serious the content went, it might have been a better read. I understand this author seems to pride herself in writing about tough subjects, and I can respect that. But it's ridiculous to hide it within what appears to be another LGBT+ romance novel.
SPOILERS AHEAD
___
May 9, 2018
This young adult novel was gritty, dark, unfiltered, and incredibly intense. I loved it. I cherished the sweet moments in between the dark moments. The characters were brought to life and I was not only in love with them but the landscape as well.
Jaya is an Indian rich kid growing up in Hawaii. His father is a real estate man who cheats on his wife, cares about nothing else but his money. Jaya is also trans, with a family who insists that he be a true Indian woman and marry a man who will make Jaya's life easier. Jaya loves grunge and he hopes to be a sweet gentleman and find his true love.
Rasa is what she calls a black widow. With a tumultuous childhood, Rasa is forced to sell her body in order to support herself and her younger siblings. When she is taken away by CPS she is spiraled into the seedy underbelly of Hawaii, turning tricks to keep herself and her siblings safe.
Jaya and Rasa meet. And they fall in love.
I think this book was great, the way that all of the characters were brought to life kept me engaged. Even though it says I read this book for several days, I only read it for the two days--so it probably took me 5-6 hours total to finish the near 300 page book. Chapters are between 3-4 pages long and you can breeze through them. I'm brought back to my old 15 year old self loving Nirvana and Audioslave and other gritty 90's grunge (heck, I still listen to them now).
I don't think I could give this book 5 stars because the ending was rather lackluster. It kind of fell flat. It just kinda...ends. There's no real resolution. The back of the book advertises itself as a "Romeo and Juliet" book but it's nowhere close to that. It's just a dark story in which two teenagers find solace in each other. Maybe I was unhappy with the end because I wanted more of it. I don't think it should've ended the way it did. While I'm glad I read it, I don't feel satisfied. I need an epilogue, or something.
Jaya is an Indian rich kid growing up in Hawaii. His father is a real estate man who cheats on his wife, cares about nothing else but his money. Jaya is also trans, with a family who insists that he be a true Indian woman and marry a man who will make Jaya's life easier. Jaya loves grunge and he hopes to be a sweet gentleman and find his true love.
Rasa is what she calls a black widow. With a tumultuous childhood, Rasa is forced to sell her body in order to support herself and her younger siblings. When she is taken away by CPS she is spiraled into the seedy underbelly of Hawaii, turning tricks to keep herself and her siblings safe.
Jaya and Rasa meet. And they fall in love.
I think this book was great, the way that all of the characters were brought to life kept me engaged. Even though it says I read this book for several days, I only read it for the two days--so it probably took me 5-6 hours total to finish the near 300 page book. Chapters are between 3-4 pages long and you can breeze through them. I'm brought back to my old 15 year old self loving Nirvana and Audioslave and other gritty 90's grunge (heck, I still listen to them now).
I don't think I could give this book 5 stars because the ending was rather lackluster. It kind of fell flat. It just kinda...ends. There's no real resolution. The back of the book advertises itself as a "Romeo and Juliet" book but it's nowhere close to that. It's just a dark story in which two teenagers find solace in each other. Maybe I was unhappy with the end because I wanted more of it. I don't think it should've ended the way it did. While I'm glad I read it, I don't feel satisfied. I need an epilogue, or something.
December 29, 2020
Cinco Puntos Press does this book a disservice by marketing it as a love story. Despite what the title says, this is a coming of age story. The pivotal moment when Jaya and Rasa finally meet, excerpted on the back cover, is not the inciting incident. Rather, it is close to the climax of the story- page 143 in the paperback edition- and Jaya and Rasa's meeting is what puts in motion a string of short events that will bring about the resolution. So this is not "boy meets girl and struggle to stay together despite the odds." This is, "Two characters struggle against painful circumstances, and only in getting to know each other can they truly find themselves."
The strength of Jaya and Rasa is Jaya and Rasa. The characters are anything but forgettable, and refreshingly different from most teen protagonists of YA fiction. Both characters stay likable despite what the world throws at them, and in the book, the world throws everything: rape, violence, sex trafficking, familial rejection, abandonment, emotional and physical abuse, bulimia, bullying, and more.
The book's main weakness is also Jaya and Rasa. Together, they are likable enough, but as a couple they are not nearly as compelling as when they were alone. The narration tends to belabor each point, and each new facet of character development. First it shows, then it tells, just to make sure you got the point. Subtlety is not present here. And, particularly for Rasa, the author just keeps serving scene after scene of abuse that does not drive the plot forward. Repeating ad nauseam how beautiful Rasa is, how sexy, how compelling, how perfect, like a model, like a goddess, etc etc etc, only to repeat the same vignette of abuse with only tiny details changed, feels voyeuristic and sensationalist. The ending feels rushed and not very believable. Is there a second half of the story out there, not yet written? Because there is a whole other book of plot waiting to unfold. I would read it. I hope the author revisits these characters in a sequel, with an ear to readers' criticisms and tighter editing the next time.
The strength of Jaya and Rasa is Jaya and Rasa. The characters are anything but forgettable, and refreshingly different from most teen protagonists of YA fiction. Both characters stay likable despite what the world throws at them, and in the book, the world throws everything: rape, violence, sex trafficking, familial rejection, abandonment, emotional and physical abuse, bulimia, bullying, and more.
The book's main weakness is also Jaya and Rasa. Together, they are likable enough, but as a couple they are not nearly as compelling as when they were alone. The narration tends to belabor each point, and each new facet of character development. First it shows, then it tells, just to make sure you got the point. Subtlety is not present here. And, particularly for Rasa, the author just keeps serving scene after scene of abuse that does not drive the plot forward. Repeating ad nauseam how beautiful Rasa is, how sexy, how compelling, how perfect, like a model, like a goddess, etc etc etc, only to repeat the same vignette of abuse with only tiny details changed, feels voyeuristic and sensationalist. The ending feels rushed and not very believable. Is there a second half of the story out there, not yet written? Because there is a whole other book of plot waiting to unfold. I would read it. I hope the author revisits these characters in a sequel, with an ear to readers' criticisms and tighter editing the next time.
August 15, 2017
Thanks to the #kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.
I finished this one in one sitting. It addresses so many issues and will start so many conversations between readers. Child sex trafficking, rape, eating disorders, alcoholism, attempted suicide this is a MATURE YA. Jaya comes from a traditional Gujarati family but has to hide his true self from his parents. As a transgender boy, Patel does a great job handling pronouns, the inner turmoil Jaya feels and the bullying at school. Rasa has been taking care of her 3 siblings since she was 10 years old. Her mother is a prostitute who has no time for anyone but herself. Rasa finds herself tricking for money to feed her siblings and eventually is trapped under the control of a ruthless pimp. The two teens meet on a hike and their love story starts there. Overcoming more obstacles than most teens can even imagine, this is a gritty romance that represents diverse characters. One of my favorite parts of a Sonia Patel book is how she seamlessly integrates culture and Sanskrit into her novels. While their issues are different they bond over the fact that "pain is pain [and] it doesn't matter what causes it". The unlikely pair is a testament to the healing power of love and I can't wait to recommend this to my high schoolers. #summerreading #jayaandrasa #soniapatel #bookclub #igreads #kidlitexchange #yabooks #yournewfavoritebook
I finished this one in one sitting. It addresses so many issues and will start so many conversations between readers. Child sex trafficking, rape, eating disorders, alcoholism, attempted suicide this is a MATURE YA. Jaya comes from a traditional Gujarati family but has to hide his true self from his parents. As a transgender boy, Patel does a great job handling pronouns, the inner turmoil Jaya feels and the bullying at school. Rasa has been taking care of her 3 siblings since she was 10 years old. Her mother is a prostitute who has no time for anyone but herself. Rasa finds herself tricking for money to feed her siblings and eventually is trapped under the control of a ruthless pimp. The two teens meet on a hike and their love story starts there. Overcoming more obstacles than most teens can even imagine, this is a gritty romance that represents diverse characters. One of my favorite parts of a Sonia Patel book is how she seamlessly integrates culture and Sanskrit into her novels. While their issues are different they bond over the fact that "pain is pain [and] it doesn't matter what causes it". The unlikely pair is a testament to the healing power of love and I can't wait to recommend this to my high schoolers. #summerreading #jayaandrasa #soniapatel #bookclub #igreads #kidlitexchange #yabooks #yournewfavoritebook
January 21, 2018
3.25 Stars
I think this book is lovely and definitely worth purchasing. From the heart breaking yet gorgeous stories of both these teenagers to the abundant discussion raised through this novel. Jaya and Rasa is one to read. I love Sonia Patel after reading this book, because her soul is vibrant and evident through her work. I loved both these characters, the exploration of their upbringings was really eye opening for me, and enjoyable to read because it made me feel so much. There was this beautiful atmosphere as well. The imagery of Hawaii was well done, the lush green hills and opaque blue waters will forever be stained into my consciousness. I also really loved the musical element throughout this novel, I thought it was beautiful !
I want to mention some of the topics discussed because they were amazing, as well as the diversity - the diversity is grand ! Going into this novel I did not know that Jaya was transgender, we explore what it feels like to be rejected by family, to know your worth, and who you are. Gay Prejudice as well as racial discrimination, prostitution , motherhood are some of the many topics explored.
This is a great novel. Worth a read and I cannot wait to read both Rani Patel in Full Effect and Bloody Seoul which should be coming out this year. YAAAY :D
I think this book is lovely and definitely worth purchasing. From the heart breaking yet gorgeous stories of both these teenagers to the abundant discussion raised through this novel. Jaya and Rasa is one to read. I love Sonia Patel after reading this book, because her soul is vibrant and evident through her work. I loved both these characters, the exploration of their upbringings was really eye opening for me, and enjoyable to read because it made me feel so much. There was this beautiful atmosphere as well. The imagery of Hawaii was well done, the lush green hills and opaque blue waters will forever be stained into my consciousness. I also really loved the musical element throughout this novel, I thought it was beautiful !
I want to mention some of the topics discussed because they were amazing, as well as the diversity - the diversity is grand ! Going into this novel I did not know that Jaya was transgender, we explore what it feels like to be rejected by family, to know your worth, and who you are. Gay Prejudice as well as racial discrimination, prostitution , motherhood are some of the many topics explored.
This is a great novel. Worth a read and I cannot wait to read both Rani Patel in Full Effect and Bloody Seoul which should be coming out this year. YAAAY :D
May 10, 2018
I've never read a book quite like this one with its unlikely romantic relationship and deeply flawed characters. Honestly, it's a wonder that either of the two protagonists have managed to survived to this point. Seventeen-year-old Jaya Mehta is the child of a privileged Indian family from Gujarat, is transgender and hates the female role that biology has placed on him. He finds comfort in music and dreaming of a different life where he can be himself. Rasa Santos is the eldest of four children, offspring of a mother who uses her physical charms to get what she wants from men, and often relies on Rasa to take care of her siblings. Rasa too has been drawn into trading sex for money or favors, and she has all but given up hope on life ever being any different. But when Jaya meets Rasa, improbably, sparks fly, and they both can see the possibilities of a life together in which they create a real family. Even while being aware of just how challenging their romance will be, readers will read and hope for a happy ending for these two, damaged as they are by their past experiences. WOW! JUST WOW! This is gritty, disturbing material, but its honesty will pull in teen readers who will be surprised at how love comes in surprisingly forms and places.
August 11, 2017
Holy Guacamole talk about devouring a book and feeling so unbelievably heart broken that it was over. I did not want this to end but at the same time I found myself begging for some sort of closure to this crazy heartbreaking roller coaster of a plot. It is written with so much emotion that it is almost raw and shocking when you read the words that are on the page but it also has so much heart. This book is so great because it deals with so many major important issues but it's also in this beautiful setting with these wonderfully diverse characters. The subject material as well as the content was definitely something I am not used to reading and it also provided a lot of insight for me into different mindsets and made me think about how far I would be willing to go and do if I were in either Rasa or Jaya's situations. It was incredible. Plus the emotion that Sonia is able to evoke from a reader just by mentioning different songs or making film references just gets you right in the feels. Whenever Jaya played a melancholic Nirvana tune it's like it even amplified his feelings more. It is important and at it's heart it is wonderful and unique storytelling.
November 5, 2017
Wow, this was an intense read. And there was a lot going on here. A lot. And while I am appreciative of Patel tackling several tough topics, I felt like the ending was rushed and unsatisfactory, and some of the loose ends drove me nuts. Not to spoil anything, but what happened to Rasa's siblings? Especially her younger brother. I also felt like I got to know Rasa much better than Jaya, and I would have liked to feel more of a connection to Jaya.
Things I liked? I did love the range of diverse characters in the story. I also really felt connected to many of the characters, especially Rasa. Also, the nods to Nirvana and 90's music was much appreciated. I enjoyed the way Patel portrayed the ugly as well as the beautiful parts of Hawaii and it's storied past.
A slight caution, this book deals with some very heavy topics including drug use, rape, domestic abuse, suicide, bullying, sexual situations, strong language, transphobia, prostitution, and more. Definitely a read for more mature, or older readers. But, an important one that takes an unflinching look, no sugar coating, at the realities many people deal with every day.
Things I liked? I did love the range of diverse characters in the story. I also really felt connected to many of the characters, especially Rasa. Also, the nods to Nirvana and 90's music was much appreciated. I enjoyed the way Patel portrayed the ugly as well as the beautiful parts of Hawaii and it's storied past.
A slight caution, this book deals with some very heavy topics including drug use, rape, domestic abuse, suicide, bullying, sexual situations, strong language, transphobia, prostitution, and more. Definitely a read for more mature, or older readers. But, an important one that takes an unflinching look, no sugar coating, at the realities many people deal with every day.
November 11, 2017
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars for Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story. This powerful mature YA was an incredible un-put-down-able read!
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Rasa is struggling to survive and provide for her siblings in the place of her mother, who is a neglectful sex worker. With her mother’s increasing absences, Rasa realizes she must also turn tricks to provide for the family, and eventually falls under the control of a ruthless pimp. Jaya’s parents are extremely wealthy and is well provided for, although his parents both have struggles of their own and are in a toxic marriage. Jaya resents his parents for pressuring him to fit their expectations for a daughter, and struggles with how to express to them that he knows he is a boy. When Jaya and Rasa meet, they may be just what the other is looking for.
▪️
This was both difficult to read and impossible to put down. Patel has woven so much into one story, and it works. I appreciated the exploration of so many social issues in one book. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this one since I finished a few days ago. At times, Jaya’s story reminded me of Kwame Alexander’s Solo. Definitely a mature YA, that I think many high schoolers will enjoy.
▪️
Rasa is struggling to survive and provide for her siblings in the place of her mother, who is a neglectful sex worker. With her mother’s increasing absences, Rasa realizes she must also turn tricks to provide for the family, and eventually falls under the control of a ruthless pimp. Jaya’s parents are extremely wealthy and is well provided for, although his parents both have struggles of their own and are in a toxic marriage. Jaya resents his parents for pressuring him to fit their expectations for a daughter, and struggles with how to express to them that he knows he is a boy. When Jaya and Rasa meet, they may be just what the other is looking for.
▪️
This was both difficult to read and impossible to put down. Patel has woven so much into one story, and it works. I appreciated the exploration of so many social issues in one book. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this one since I finished a few days ago. At times, Jaya’s story reminded me of Kwame Alexander’s Solo. Definitely a mature YA, that I think many high schoolers will enjoy.
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