Book Review: Avi Cantor Has Six Months to Live by Sacha Lamb

Avi Cantor Has Six Months to Live 
by Sacha Lamb
Publication Date: August 22, 2017
Format: E-Book, 67 Pages
Genres: Young Adult - LGBTQIA - Romance
Find it On: GoodReads - Amazon
My Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis:

Avi Cantor Has Six Months To Live

Avi comes across these foreboding words scrawled on the bathroom mirror, but what do they mean? Is this a curse, a prediction, or a threat from Avi's emboldened bullies? And how to they know his real name when he hasn't even told his mother yet?

Then there is Ian—the cool new guy at school, who is suddenly paying attention to Avi. Ian is just like Avi, but he is also all sunshine, optimism, and magic. All the things that Avi doesn't know how to deal with...yet.

A romantic, #ownvoices fairy tale for trans boys.

My Review:

How was such a short story such a trip? Cause let me tell you, in 70 pages, I had feelings.

Avi Cantor is a quasi-magical story of a high-schooler mid-transition. While he has told no one his name--Avi--the words, "Avi Cantor has six months to live" appear on the bathroom mirror at school. What Avi assumes is an uncanny new bullying technique turns out to be a lot more complicated.

Without spoiling this beautiful story, let me tell you, that summary, while accurate, is not what the story is about. It's not about bullying; it's about self-loathing. It's not about avoiding death; it's about facing life.

I'm hesitant to call this magical realism, but it has a beautifully surreal and sardonic prose that fans of The Raven Boys--or even Marquez--would love. And I'll be damned if this isn't one of the most poignant books about depression that I've ever read!

P.S. If there is a movie/tv adaptation and Ian Alexander isn't Ian, I will consider the world ROBBED.

Diversity Score: Own Voices (+5), Main character with mental illness (+2), Trans and gay main character (+2) = 9