Reviews with content warning for Sexual assault - I Was Born for This

Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

I Was Born for This by Alice Oseman

20 reviews

tiredcath's review

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emotional fast-paced

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

2.5

“In an otherwise mediocre existence, we choose to feel passion.”

Conflicted on how I feel about this one.

Alice Oseman has continually impressed with their characterization, and foreshadowing that really pays off. This novel kind of leaves me stumped.

On one hand, I thoroughly understand what Oseman was attempting. One parts are beautifully written, as someone who involved themselves in fandoms in my teen years I relate to a lot. The first act was excellent. I appreciated having the duel POVs; the fan and the artist. Jimmy’s anxiety and depression were handled really well, I like the idea of Rowan’s character being almost the anti-celebrity.

On the other, I truly felt as if this was a first draft. The characters didn’t have enough depth. Things just happened, or characters just said things that didn’t make sense. Motivations were never clear. Most of the characters weren’t likable or had redeeming qualities. (Except for Lister, who should’ve been the man character.) Too many things were glossed over or unresolved. The third act was so messy.

I wanted to love this. I could see what Oseman was attempting, but the result was a dizzying and confusing story that felt entirely too incomplete.

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aimhkaitlin's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

Heartbreaking, emotional, soul-soothing. This book tackles fan culture in a way that resonated with my soul while still critiquing and taking it on from two staggeringly different viewpoints. At times made my heart sink and put it back together all at once. Beautifully done. Only wish it was longer, not ready to let go of these characters yet.

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nickyz's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny 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? Yes

4.5

This book hit HARD! It's my third Alice Oseman book and I loved it. The characters are created with so much love and thought that you can only fall in love with each one of them. And it was so interesting to read about a fan living her life for a band and a band member who can't handle the fans and the fame. Both stories were told with such sincerity and honesty, that you could understand both sides. Neither one was potrayed as "the only right opinion". Also, I love the amount of attention and emphasis Oseman puts on the importance of friendship. Truly a great book!

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embla_v's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful

4.25

Den här boken var inte det jag förväntade mig men jag är glad att den inte var det. Otroligt underhållande, dramatisk och känslosam.

Boken har två POVs, det första är Angel. Angel är en fangirl och hon lever för the Ark. Det andra POVet är Jimmy, en av de tre medlemmar i the Ark.

När Jimmy och Angel plötsligt mötts inser de att allt kanske inte är som det verkar och att verkligheten skiljer sig från tankar och drömmar.

Det här är en otrolig "coming of age" bok som bjuder på skratt, visdom och tårar. Oerhört relaterbara karaktärer och bra representation. 100% läsvärd!!

Content Warnings

sma_tsol06's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful tense medium-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

4.5

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bumblebee's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

Content Warnings

vaniavela's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-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

4.75

Angel Rahimi, hijabi Muslim teenager whose life revolves around The Ark, an internationally famous boyband. Jimmy Kaga-Ricci, a biracial transgender gay musician and member of The Ark. What happens when the two paths unexpectedly collide?

I liked that the sexuality of the main characters are not plot points in this book. It is part of them, but it doesn't define all aspects of their lives; they are unique people with personalities.

I loved the portrayal of mental health. I felt represented as I read anxiety can keep you from doing things, no matter how simple and easy they may seem. There are times when we are terrified of things we used to love, have self-esteem issues and even harmful thoughts that have a tendency to affect our personal relationships.

Another aspect that really needed to be talked about was fandoms. The culture of fandoms was portrayed, the toxic aspects of them and how people can behave in dangerous ways. One of the aspects that makes me most uncomfortable and annoying is how people forcefully ship real people into a relationship, getting intense about it. Creating these romantic scenarios and then getting furious when the people involved deny it is unhealthy.

I feel like this was well reflected in how Angel (and half the fandom) is Jowan's shipper and upon the revelation that they were nothing, one of the fans throws a brick at them.

Anyway, while it wasn't the book I enjoyed the most from Alice, I can say I liked it. Plus, I loved the cover.

Rep: biracial (indian and italian) anxious gay trans guy mc, persian muslim hijabi mc, side black character, bisexual sc, biracial (chinese and white) bisexual sc.

CW: panic attacks and paranoia, transphobia, biphobia, racism, discussions of sexual assault, depression, suicidal ideation, obsession and stalking, surgery, alchohol abuse.

Content Warnings

lyd4ever's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I definitely did not expect to like this during the beginning. I found Ángels story a bit difficult to read at first (somewhat fanfictony) but I ended up really liking Jimmys perspective. I really liked the structure of the book and once I got to page 100 I couldn’t put the book down. This is definitely one of my favorite oseman books, I can’t wait for the sequel!

Content Warnings

lilly_anne's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Content Warnings

sprolden's review against another edition

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dark emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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