I love this book!! I've read it twice all the way through, but I've read my favorite scenes at least three or four times (Valeria and Lu's run!! The butterfly garden!! Spin the bottle!! The last thirty pages!!).
I never expected to be so emotional about ice skating. But here I am, crying over Valeria's passion, desire, loneliness. Being your own biggest competition in a niche industry where it seems that most don't understand you sucks, huh? Feeling like the only thing you have to give is what you make/achieve stings, huh? I appreciate the nuanced take about ambition and passion. It would have been easy to make this a story like "actually, it's foolish to dedicate your life and your body to one thing. Just be in love instead." You went the more interesting route with this, and leave the interpretation more up to the reader, which I appreciate very much.
The themes of capitalism, colonialism and environmentalism were also so well-executed and woven nicely through the entire story. I won't write you an essay in your comment about themes you intended, but I've written one in my head lmao.
I love the Martian team, btw. I want to hang out with them at parties and be their best friend. I guess this is the universe where I might be watching skating competitions live. For them, I'd do anything.
Final thoughts: All sports should be all gender. I, like the rest of the world, have a big crush on Lu. Bella has my entire heart. Nelly can go die. That is all.
I hope everyone reads this.