Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Rexly the Randy Reindeer
SERIES: Isle of Misfit Toys
AUTHOR: Stephani Hecht
PUBLISHER: MLR Press
LENGTH: 46 pages
RELEASE DATE: December 21, 2018
BLURB:
Rexly has been a very naughty reindeer. He drinks like a fish, smokes like a Dogg and sleeps around with just about the entire North Pole, and he loves to play pranks. Not only that, but he can’t shift into his full reindeer from. Only his ears and tail come out, leaving him looking a fool and feeling miserable. He isn’t totally surprised when the message comes from Santa himself that Rexly has been reassigned to the Island of Misfit Toys. So, with a heavy heart, he leaves the only home he’s ever known.
Leo the King of the Island of Misfit Toys is a shifter himself. Like Rexly, though, he’s one of a kind. He’s a Lion with wings, which is why he was sent to lead the toys at the island in the first place. He takes one look at his new charge and is immediately intrigued.
But, Rexly isn’t ready to open his heart to anybody in that way. After being burned so many times in the past, he has seven-foot thick emotional shields up and he’s not about to lower them. Yet, if Rexly refuses he could miss out on his one opportunity for a happily ever after. Can Rexly trust enough to love Leo back, or are they both doomed to remain alone forever?
REVIEW:
I remember the cartoon about the Island of Misfit Toys and the little bear that wanted a home. It always made me cry when I saw it. The thought of those little guys wanting a home. So when I read about these guys and Rexly, it made me sad. But what people didn’t realize, is they made a family of their own. And Rexly brought them to life in a way they never had been before.
When you’re different, sometimes people go out of their way to make you feel like garbage. And often much worse. Rexly had to endure the much worse. Abused, beaten, sometimes starved. Even made to sleep in the barn. So he acted out. Got high, drank and had parties for days and days. But his partying got him banished to the Isle of Misfit Toys. He thought things were going to be worse, but they actually showed him what it was like to have friends and family. They treated him like he belonged. And for the first time in his life, he felt love. He was also feeling in love. Leo makes him feel like he hung the moon, but he doesn’t know if he trust to not be hurt. He has to figure out if it’s worth it or not. And if he really wants to give up a love of a lifetime.
Everyone knows the story of Rudolph. In this story, it’s actually a bit of a twist. Rudolph had his troubles yes, but even Rudolph became a bully. In a world full of shifters, Rexly couldn’t shift. Not fully. And he became worse than dirt to everyone at the North Pole. Even Santa is a dick. Not exactly the story we grew up with huh? But I actually like this twist. It humanizes everyone, even though they’re shifters. It shows Santa is just a man and can be an ass like everyone else. But what I love the most, is the story shows one important thing. Family is not always blood, but made up of friends and those we love. Rexly’s punishment became his saving grace. He found friends, family, and love. He found hope and a new life. A place where people and toys like him we’re accepting. They didn’t ridicule or hurt. They love and uplifted. What this world needs more of.
RATING: 
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