Every review of this book I've seen starts out by saying that the reader isn't sure how to describe it. I'm going to have to echo that sentiment. Just know that it is amazing and you should go read it even if you have no idea what it is about.There are two main parts of the story with a minor subplot.

Part 1:



A violinist has made a pact with a demon. To get out of it she needs to deliver the souls of seven exceptional violinists to him over the course of 49 years. She has delivered six souls. Her time is almost up. She meets a runaway transgender girl who plays beautifully. She is completely self-taught with terrible technique but she is amazing. The teacher takes her in to groom her to be the seventh soul.

Part 2:



A family of aliens has landed on Earth. They bought a donut shop that has a large fiberglass donut outside because they want to use the donut as a space gate. Running the donut shop is their cover. This book will make you want to try their donuts.

Subplot:



A woman from a family of violin restorers is trying to keep her family's store alive.



So how does that all come together? That's the beauty of the story. I'm not going to say too much because watching it all come together is part of the fun.



There is a lot of tough subjects here especially surrounding Katrina, the young violinist. She has been abused by her family and has had to leave her house because she is trans. She supports herself with sex work. She is verbally, physically, and sexually abused by clients and strangers. She experiences a lot of transphobia online and in the music community. Some of it is instigated by the demon just to cause her pain.



She's delightful though. She knows who she is and what she wants to accomplish. She is caring in spite of the world not always caring about her.



This book is about the importance of family, music, and food to heal your soul. You will learn a lot about why violins are special. There are lyrical descriptions of lots of food - not just donuts. Family takes center stage - whether they are healthy or abusive, strong or weak, biological or found.



I'd recommend this book to everyone.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story