Let’s talk about THE DIMINISHED by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson.
I’ve been screaming with anticipation for this book to come out now it is finally here!
In a world populated by twins, Vi is “diminished” meaning the sole surviving twin of her pair, and the world waits for her to succumb to grief or murderous rage. Meanwhile, Bo, as single-born, is preparing to take the throne. There are sun ships and new and interesting food—excerpts from sacred texts, and horses (sorry, but I love me some horses). The world is so fully developed that it seems as if we could visit it just beyond the horizon.
Stories of outcasts and people on the fringes of society are always my favorites. In THE DIMINISHED, twins who have lost their other half make up the most hated and feared members of society, so of course I identified with Vi. But I am also a girl who grew up dreaming princess dreams and practices throwing spears in my back yard, so Bo appealed to me as well. But for me, as someone who grew up in the queer community, it was Patterson’s treatment of same-sex relationships that just amazed me.
She acted like it was no big deal. Some people were gay. Some people were bi. Some people were het. They were just people. THE DIMINISHED isn’t written to be some sort of political statement, but the world Patterson wrote is an affirmation of the diversity we want to see in the world. It’s inclusive and refreshing and a damn good read.
There’s more. THE DIMINISHED made me fall in love with a new genre. I don’t read YA Fantasy as a rule. Before this year, I hadn’t read much YA at all. And I had no idea how much I was missing out.
In a post earlier this year, Kaitlyn wrote:
The YA and MG audiences are some of the most discerning, intelligent, and demanding groups of readers I’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know. The books written in these genres are changing the face of the literary conversation, and let me say it again and again and again, I AM HERE FOR IT.
Since reading THE DIMINISHED I’ve started asking my kids what they are reading, and taking their recommendations. I’ve read a few YA novels I found on Goodreads. In short, she’s opened me up to a whole new genre, and I agree—they are changing the face of the literary conversation, and THE DIMINISHED is one of them.
(And it’s SO PRETTY!)
Enter our Instagram Giveaway for a chance to win a copy, or buy one here. You won’t be disappointed.
