All the Yellow Suns

by Malavika Kannan

A coming-of-age story about a queer Indian American girl exploring activism and identity through art, perfect for fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.
 
Sixteen-year-old Maya Krishnan is fiercely protective of her friends, immigrant community, and single mother, but she knows better than to rock the boat in her conservative Florida suburb. Her classmate Juneau Zale is the polar opposite: she’s a wealthy white heartbreaker who won’t think twice before capsizing that boat.
 
When Juneau invites Maya to join the Pugilists—a secret society of artists, vandals, and mischief-makers who fight for justice at their school—Maya descends into the world of change-making and resistance. Soon, she and Juneau forge a friendship that inspires Maya to confront the challenges in her own life.
 
But as their relationship grows romantic, painful, and twisted, Maya begins to suspect that there’s a whole different person beneath Juneau’s painted-on facade. Now Maya must learn to speak her truth in this mysterious, mixed-up world—even if it results in heartbreak.
 

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT, Lesbian, Romance, Fiction, Queer

374 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2023

Reviews

[gauri · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5?? i wish it had more depictions of maya's artwork, though her thought process of bringing about revolution through art is done so well!

[Kiki]

I got to narrate All the Yellow Suns, and have lived inside the lives of these characters recently. Kannan's prose really pulled me in and created a movie behind my eyes as I read. Maya's journey was deeply relatable to me as a queer Indian afab who grew up in white America.

I appreciate the fierceness with which the author and the protagonist both challenge the systematic marginalization occurring in modern society, and how the story depicts realistic relationships between teenagers, including a queer romance. I think young brown women may well find something meaningful in this book. I definitely would have as a young teen. It has stayed with me in the days since I finished recording. I'm grateful to have given Maya her voice.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this book is compared to Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the universe and honestly I think that does this book a disservice because this book has all of the same coming of age queer yearning and heartbreak that ari and dante has without any of the transphobia and problematic moments.

In all honesty it's been about a month since I've listened to this book and my memory is awful but I did enjoy this book. I don't quite get what people are saying about it being disappointing. This book is not a romance it is a coming-of-age story. We have a queer Indian main character who discovers and embraces her sexuality throughout the entire book and it gets hurt in the process and hurts other than the process and while there is a romance it is not the focus of the book and it is not present throughout the entire book.

I especially loved the depictions of healing through art and I wish there was more of that. Overall I did really enjoy this one and it's when I would recommend.

[tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

i was so excited for this and it ended up being very disappointing :(

2 stars

[mélina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first pages of this book immediately had me hooked, there's just something about the way Malavika Kannan writes that immediately got to me. I see so much of myself in the main character Maya (except the part where I actually let go of my rage and act on it thanks to my big fat crush on a girl). All of these characters are flawed (because at the end of the day, they're simply human) but I loved them all. Malavika Kannan wrote so much depth into them, that while some moments were a bit cheesy, I felt like they were very real.

God I don't even know how to form words about this book, all I know is that it had me sobbing like a baby and that I loved every part of it.

[Malavika Kannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my entire heart, I hope you all enjoy it <3

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I realized the author is just 21 (or was 21 when she wrote it), this book made a lot more sense to me. This was not my favorite.

[Rhianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start this review by thanking NetGalley for allowing me this ARC of All the Yellow Suns! In exchange for letting me read this novel before its publishing date, I will be giving an honest review. With that being said, let me tell you how much I loved this book...

Where to even begin with this novel? I came into this experience with little to no expectations. I requested the title on NetGalley because the cover grabbed my attention and I was in a bit of a slump. I haven't been a super big fan of YA recently, so I went in with that knowledge, too. The premise sounded interesting enough, though, so I gave it a go so I could finish it before pub day. I am so glad I did because I ended up finishing it in pretty much 24 hours.

Let me start by saying that it wasn't the characters in the novel that made me enjoy it so much. Every single person, including Maya, the MC, is flawed and honestly, I didn't find myself to gravitating towards many of them. With that being said, though, the way in which the characters interact with each other is what made the book feel lively to me. All the characters are so well-developed that at points they start to jump off the page and into the room with you. They're incredibly well-written and I really enjoyed getting to know them more and more as the story went on.

The issues tackled in this story seem grandiose at first and for a while, I wasn't sure if they were going to be able to be tackled in one book, or if everything was going to start to feel rushed. Maya and her friends take on a lot of heavy issues surrounding police violence, homophobia, micro+macro aggressions, and gender-based violence. There is so much to unpack in their small suburb of Citrus Grove and Kannan does it perfectly. I never once felt like topics were being placed in the plotline just for the sake of having them there. Everything was intentional and handled in the novel in a way that didn't feel disjointed. Maya and her friends are passionate (if not incredibly naive) teenagers facing serious injustices, and I was more than happy to be brought along in their fight against cruelty and the systems that oppress them.

While this book isn't focused especially on romantic relationships, our MC Maya does discover and explore her sexuality over the course of this book. I think this was my favorite part of the entire novel. Kannan does such an incredible job taking us through Maya's personal discoveries on sexuality and how that impacts her platonic, romantic, and interpersonal relationships. There were so many instances where Maya's internal dialogue surrounding her queerness felt exactly like what my early queerness was, and what I'm sure the authors felt like as well. It's not always pretty, and there are many people who get hurt and/or confused in the process of discovering who you really are, especially in a small, conservative town, but this novel really sends home the truth that the people who matter most will stick around. Maintaining relationships of all kinds, with your friends, your parents, and your mentors is just as important as finding a romantic partner to be entangled with, and ATYS shows that beautifully.

Your first Love, especially your first gay Love, will not be your last, and that is more than okay. It is actually (definitely) for the best. Things get really messy your sophomore year of high school, but that will usually turn out okay, too. This book reminded me of all these things and more. After reading this, I want to hug my parents a little tighter, hang out with my friends for a little longer, and get to saving the world a little faster. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my physical copy of All the Yellow Suns so I can reread it and re-love this wonderful novel all over again in a few short weeks, and then hopefully for many more years to come. Do yourself a favor and meet Maya, and then stay on the lookout for everything else Malavika Kannan will do in her future. I know I'll be.

[Darya]

DNF @10%
Мало бути цікаво: про пошук ідентичності і спротив у мистецтві, але щось не сконектилося. Забагато підліткових розборок. Ну, може, це тому, що я насправді не цільова аудиторія, а тільки прикидаюся.

[amshu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of the ARC received on behalf of the Dear Asian Youth Book Club

‘All the Yellow Suns’ encapsulates everything I love about a good coming-of-age YA from Kannan’s vibrant prose to the realistic characterisation. Maya, as a protagonist, is driven and passionate in a way that feels achingly similar to 16-year-old me and is what makes her such a compelling character. I loved how the book focuses on her using her art to express her voice and also explores the overarching themes of intersectionality, queer love, “casual” racism, turbulent family dynamics, and just being a young girl in an often hostile world. Reading the book felt like watching a movie set on paper, I could easily see this becoming a YA movie with an unforgettable soundtrack.

On that same note, perhaps because of how similar this novel initially felt to other YA novels, I wasn't quite intrigued to keep going. If I hadn't continued to read the book in spite of that section of stagnant interest at the 40% mark I don't think I would've been able to see just how interesting the plot ended up being. The novel has a very mature execution that still manages to be tender towards its young protagonist, making the overall book quite refreshing yet comforting.

[Brown Girl Bookshelf]

“All the Yellow Suns” is a literary tour de force, captivating readers from the very beginning and never letting go. Kannan bursts onto the literary scene by transcending the boundaries of young adult fiction, delving into difficult themes with eloquent prose.

Through the eyes of the teenage protagonist, Maya Krishnan, readers embark on a journey of self-discovery and artistic expression. Maya's identity is forged against many relationships: she is the daughter of a single immigrant mother, abandoned by her artistic genius father, and enthralled by the rebellious and enigmatic Juneau Zale, an older classmate. Maya also finds herself drawn into an activist group at her school, adding a new dynamic to her already complex world.

As readers follow along Maya's journey, we cannot help but be reminded of our own adolescent years, with all their attendant angst and confusion. Kannan masterfully captures how Maya discovers love in all its forms: the enduring bonds with immigrant parents, the warmth of fierce friendships, and the enchantment of first love. Amidst the tapestry of cultural identity, queerness, white privilege, authority, racism, and the turmoil of messy teenage romances, Kannan weaves a rich and deeply satisfying plot.

Ultimately, it is Maya's emotional growth that leaves an indelible mark on the reader's heart and mind. Readers of all ages will be captivated by the profound beauty of “All The Yellow Suns”, a testament to the enduring strength found within us all.

[Abigail Franklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 I think. Like if Paper Towns, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, & All My Rage had a baby.

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

So grateful and lucky to have the chance to read the book early and to bear witness to Malavika’s endless editing and reflecting. ATYS made me bawl like a baby in the middle of a coffee shop, but at the same time it’s the most comforting book I’ve ever read — an ode to queer daughters of immigrants, and a love letter to art in all its forms.

[Vismaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first page of this book had me so intrigued! I found Maya and all the different parts of her life captivating. The parts when she’d contemplate doing something unhinged and be like well I just have to it had me laughing not at her but because genuinely at 15 when you’re filled with rage and have no where to put it, why the hell not? Seeing kids filled with passion and having no outlet and what it leads them to do was a beautiful story to read. I also loved the representation! A queer Indian-American girl growing up in a single parent household, it was incredibly refreshing to read. Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Dhiraaj Naidu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Messy Ride through a Toxic Relationship

The first half of the story didn’t really captivate me. I was getting a little tired of the performative activism, and how the girls are always so aggressively anti-everything. But it clicked for me; that’s the path you see your main character fall into; and I love how you can tell how the events of the book warped her worldview. It’s heartbreaking to read on about the whirlwind of a relationship Maya falls into, but also so investing.

[Grace Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I started this book I couldn’t put it down. Finished it in one sitting. I was completely engrossed in the characters and felt the things they were as they were feeling them.

I’ve been in a rough reading rut this year and this book helped get me out of it. Easy read, well developed and imperfect (realistic) characters. Highly recommend!

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5.

[lj · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! gotta love a YA book

[Jordyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book unlike anything I've read before and I'm glad it exists for high schoolers today. The plot felt a little muddled in the middle, but the ending was strong and I couldn't put it down.

[Roonies · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s like the author was ALMOST there but couldn’t get over the hump. Tired of the yt savior role but it was especially disappointing that the author couldn’t even call it out all the way

[Zadie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Florida.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautifully written book, full of so much pain and such frustrating characters. I enjoyed itt a lot, but I would hesitate to reread it unless I was in a very particular mood. It's not a light or happy read. And it doesn't need to be. Maya and her friends are so pure, and Juneau comes in like a wrecking ball, as the song goes, and upends everything. I wanted to root for them because I wanted Maya to have her tender queer coming of age love story, but Juneau made it impossible, and there was very little that was tender about it. The Pugilists felt very juvenile and a little silly to me, despite the seriousness of the issues they were reckoning with. Racism and police violence are incredibly real, their methods just felt absurd and ineffective. Except the mural, I guess. That was powerful.

I recommend this with my full heart, just be aware of what you're getting into, especially if you're a person of color. Especially if you're a girl of color. This book was rough for them. There's hope, but it's hard-won.

[Christina Truver Olache · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sophomore novel from Kannan is dubbed a coming-of-age story about a queer Indian American girl exploring activism and identity through art. It is about all of that but it was even more fixated on the main character, Maya, and her relationship/obsession with Juneau Zale, a rich, angry white girl intend on serving up justice in her Florida hometown. Maya gets swept up in her escapades and everything stems from Juneau. There’s a reason the author compared her book to Euphoria, it’s gritty, full of anger, drugs, manipulation, racism, sexism, etc. There are rays of hope and joy that pierce through and those were my favorite parts: Maya’s mother, her original friend group, the art she creates.

I enjoyed the people in the book, they are all fully fleshed out, with many flaws and this leads to a lot of the confrontation and conflict in the novel. It’s full of drama and heartache, feelings and epiphanies. I recommend for older teens and adults alike.


Thank you to theNOVL for the arc and happy day after release day to this book!

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn’t like like the book at first. I was prepared to write a review highlighting the novel’s cheesiness, exaggerated characters and themes, and lack of depth. But I kept reading, and I was nearly in tears by the end of the book (which I binged in a day). The author has such a clear vision and story. The characters are well developed and compelling. I can feel the heartbreak and exhilaration in Maya’s relationship with Juneau. Yes, All The Yellow Suns is cheesy - but it’s a YA novel, and it fits the genre perfectly.

[Meera Rani · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart is aching and hopeful after finishing All The Yellow Suns. This book touched on so many major themes I love: queerness and discovering sexuality, being a child of immigrants, parent-daughter relationships, activism, and art. Never has my rage been so seen by another - thank you for writing this, Malavika.

[Imani · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book follows the life of Maya a sophomore in high school who is learning how to fight for what she believes in. As an Indian American student who goes to a school in a predominantly white area, with white administrative staff she is left seeing the injustices the students of color face up close.

When she finds herself bravely speaking up seemingly involuntarily at a wrongdoing it pulls her into a new friend group of activists.

I thought this book was ok at speaking out about the injustices that are faced. I found the commentary in a portion of the book about Juneau, a white student, to be rather telling about just how it is. While Juneau was an avid activist she often made choices at the expense of her friends without truly acknowledging how she could walk away unscathed and they could not afford that luxury. While I appreciated the commentary, I found her character to be incredibly selfish (even until the end still warping Maya into her mess by keeping in touch), and I also was mad at Maya for not being more conscious of her choices and blindly following Juneau because of a crush.

Both characters were insufferable at times, and the plot line also seemed to get repetitive. Juneau had a bad idea, others would object, Maya would follow. I wished the ending had more to it as well. I wanted to see a bit more growth in Maya and would have liked to see if systems changed a bit. I felt like the ending of the story ended with a bit too much ambiguity about everyone’s ending and wished the author gave a bit more.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a messy coming of age novel, but there was so much going on in this book (absentee fathers, coming out angst, secret societies, crimes, friend group angst) and it all wrapped up too easily at the end. I’ll definitely check out the author’s next contemporary YA though, I liked enough about this to give her another shot.

[Emili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting to read this book for months and it did not disappoint. I loved everything about this book. The characters are so well developed, the dialog is realistic and the writing is beautiful. The author is able to include beautiful metaphors and writing amongst text that is easy to read and understand. This book covers important topics as well that I loved to read about.

[Leela Srinivasan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would probably rate this 3-3.5 stars. I love that it exists as I’m also a 🌈 Indian woman who went to Stanford and minored in creative writing. I wrote an (unpublished) novel that’s also a queer coming-of-age story where an Indian girl falls in love with a white southern girl, so it was cool to see someone do this and publish it! When I wrote my novel there were still very few stories like this. I’m glad to see that’s changed.

Malavika Kannan is a talented writer, and I liked many elements of this story. I read it all in one sitting. It felt long, but it was never boring. I especially love non-HEAs and I think the messy ambiguity of Juneau worked well. Plus the pure love between Maya and her friends. It’s not enough to be enigmatic if you don’t actually show up when it matters, and her friends did. I also really loved Theo as a character - what a doll, lol.

A few minor caveats — I think there’s a big push in YA “own voices” stories to write what you know, and I agree with a lot of that, but I felt like it was maybe too close to the author’s own experience. Like, Mayavati Krishnan’s name is very similar to Malavika Kannan lol. And Florida as a setting could’ve been used more in a way that enhanced the plot — it sorta felt like Florida was chosen just because the author is from there. The plot of this book is somewhat similar to Looking for Alaska (enigmatic girl pulls in “average” protagonist to a secret rebellious teen clique who plays pranks on the school; protagonist falls in love with girl) and Juneau was too reminiscent of Alaska Young for me. The name, the “obsession with pretentious quotes,” the disappearance.

The book was also a bit heavy-handed with the racism and sexism. Of course these things happen in American high schools; I’m a woman of color and I experienced macro/microaggressions in New Jersey! But in the world of the narrative it felt a little cartoonish. A lot of the dialogue felt like it was intending to send a message about race and privilege that I think could’ve been implied. The ending also felt kind of rushed and wrapped up too neatly between Maya and her mom, with her dad saying it was “too much” and just bouncing.

I also dislike that Maya kept trying to tell Juneau that she was gay; it came off as projecting. If anything, Juneau seemed pansexual. Maya also didn’t reflect on her sexuality that much, which was odd considering when/where the book is supposed to take place. Like, the Pulse shooting would’ve happened by then — she doesn’t ever really meditate on what it means to be gay in Florida. That said, a debut novel often has a lot that it wants to achieve, and I’m glad I was able to read a YA novel from a fellow Tree.

[Ayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is...SO MUCH happening in this book. And I don't know where to begin. I enjoyed the premise of the book; in the excerpts I read it was super promising. But so much of it was losing plot, written over too fast, and disregarded too quickly. Juneau was an awful person, and it's so sad and awful to see Maya get played by her experiencing her first level of queerness. Why did Amma take back her ex man for so long, and it took the outting to get things back together? Did this take place over the course of an academic school year? Because at first it was the span of about 3 months, and then like time jumped way too fast for things to end the way they did. I think some of the stuff was realistic - the breaking up of Maya and Juneau; one is 18 and one is 16 after all (again, WILD that wasn't made to be a bigger deal...) but it also happened so quickly with the way all was rushed between them. I suppose that is the sapphic experience, but still. And the betrayal of Mateo several times, without acknowledging him and yet, EVERYONE else, including Harvey (but not Squash himself?) was so odd and off putting. If there was gonna be the unrealisticness of getting a "conclusion" from everyone, might as well included him + Sam. I'm sad we didn't see more of Theo at the end either; or the dad getting more shit as he deserved. The friends like Anya losing plot also was unfortunate, and I get not pressing charges either for the revenge porn, but still all of that was so weird. I will say though, this book was really addicting and I am so glad I ended up reading it. It was a lot at once but there were moments of gold like Maya exploring her sexuality, the important of her firsts, the conversation she had with Laila. Still, this book was trying to do a lot at once, and I think had it honed in on just two things rather than twenty, more could've been done. I love and appreciate all the politics and identities, but they were all scattered.

3.7 stars, but rounded down -- I would maybe recommend this though.