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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
This was a really hard, complex but excellent book from a masterful new voice in YA. Sheppard's writing is just lovely, so full of emotion and attitude.
The storyline is hard, and the content pushes the limits of YA, and at times, what I was comfortable reading but this is a brilliant and important book worthy of the praise its garnered.
The storyline is hard, and the content pushes the limits of YA, and at times, what I was comfortable reading but this is a brilliant and important book worthy of the praise its garnered.
I'm struggling to find the words to describe this book. It's raw, unflinching and difficult. Because that is life for these characters and many of the IRL queers that grow up in similar small towns. It presents a warts (and bruises, and broken noses, and homophobia and misogyny) and all view of the trauma inflicted upon some people by their community, their family, their friends... sometimes everyone around them including themselves.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very distinct characters with backstories that suit the small town vibes this book is based in. A coming of age story, with all the Australian-ness you’ll ever need. Based partially on the author’s own experience, this story has great pace and keeps you hooked until the final page.
challenging
emotional
This book killed me in every sitting and I kept coming back for more. Read it in two days.
Left me absolutely emotionally wrecked. Immersive, devastating and harrowing. Strong themes of toxic masculinity, friendship, chosen family and homophobia.
I started this at 4pm it is now 10pm, what an incredibly beautiful and important story
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
All characters excepts the main 4 are completely unlikeable in order to emphasise the weight of homophobia the boys have to deal with. This, however, makes for an oppressive read.
This was an incredible story which absolutely blew me away. It’s certainly not hard to understand why this book has been winning awards.
Aussie author Holden Sheppard has written an outstanding novel that touches on many issues, one of them is homosexuality. A powerful, raw and emotional story that will stay with me for a long time. Having seen this author promoting his book on social media I was curious as to what all the hype was about and was this book as good as everyone was saying it was. Now that I’ve read the book I can honestly say it is far better than I imagined it would be in fact it’s BRILLIANT. If you haven’t read this book yet then I suggest you grab a copy and start reading you won’t regret it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE.
Aussie author Holden Sheppard has written an outstanding novel that touches on many issues, one of them is homosexuality. A powerful, raw and emotional story that will stay with me for a long time. Having seen this author promoting his book on social media I was curious as to what all the hype was about and was this book as good as everyone was saying it was. Now that I’ve read the book I can honestly say it is far better than I imagined it would be in fact it’s BRILLIANT. If you haven’t read this book yet then I suggest you grab a copy and start reading you won’t regret it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE.