Def a young adult book.

It is a magical journey, but also very real in the sense of how living as an "other" is alienating, and the struggles that brings. This book strives to give voice to those that feel that they don't belong, to give courage and strength in the face of adversity. It also goes on about living in America and hiding from ICE fearing deportation because they live there illegally as her mother was running for her life.  There's a lot going on and to unfold in here, but it all folds into itself nicely.

Unfortunately this book is a little too fantastical in that things work out a little too well, like the MC is super lucky throughout the whole thing; the people she meets and rooms with, and who they're friends with is all very coincidental. The book does drive home that the ones that have issues with her may be the loudest, but they are the few.

A few F bombs which are not out of place or edgy. There are a few moments where the book wanted to get really spicy, and if it was not a YA book it probably would've.

The narrator did a fantastic job, though the sound quality could've been better for the loud/yelling parts, but there are not many of those and it's not too jarring.

I give the book itself a 3 rating, but bumped it up to 3.5 due to the narration.