Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh

6 reviews

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was a beautifully written, heavily autobiographical story of Ada, trying to fit into a world of conflicting messages. Never feeling enough for those she loves, lacking privacy and information on her body and growing up, this was an emotional story told in verse.

The slice of life style of this was easy to listen to, despite the hardhips Ada went through. I still enjoyed seeing her grow into herself and find her identity as she navigated home, school, tumultuous relationships and toxic family.

Ultimately, Ada's story was about distancing oneself from the emotional abuse and finally loving for you and only you.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Alcohol, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Addiction, Sexual content, and Gaslighting

thatenbyisisreads's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book highlights the unfortunate reality of black queer kids not being able to express their unique, authentic selves due to overbearing, strict, and religious parents. I saw a lot of myself through the lens of Ada. 

Especially, within this quote of being expected to learn the duties that come with being a "future wife/mother". "The sixth grade was already impossible without Aunty's return to change everything/ now I can't eat without permission/ I can't watch tv without permission/ It's now my job to clean the kitchen/ as the oldest child/ as the first daughter/ learning her duties as a future wife/ and mother/ who was going to understand/ all I wanted to learn/ was how to make friends/ at school." Growing up, I didn't have a safe space anywhere, including my own home due to this similar situation. 

Overall, It's important to have more young adult books to highlight topics like these because young, queer me would've felt so seen and heard. I love that this generation has the ability to have this representation readily available to them!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Sexism, Homophobia, Addiction, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Cursing

moniipeters's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Drug use, Grief, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Alcohol, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Rape, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Incest, Lesbophobia, and Toxic relationship

octoberof2003's review

reflective fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Child abuse

Moderate: Homophobia, Rape, and Misogyny

Minor: Fatphobia, Alcohol, and Cursing

aaliyahwalkshere's review

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault

Moderate: Gaslighting and Sexual content

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Fatphobia

baguettegay's review

dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It’s always hard to say that you loved a book that talks about someone’s trauma, so I won’t say that I loved it. 
But I *will* say that I’m a sucker for books written solely in verse. Something about this style of writing wraps me up even more into the story and emotions. I love the connection that Candice created between Ada’s love for dance and her journey to discover who exactly she was without the opinions of others clouding her judgement.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

Moderate: Addiction and Alcohol