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Reviews tagging 'Violence'
Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
85 reviews
contre_qui's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This is a really beautiful follow up to the first book, but it's much sadder. The first one feels realistic, this one feels real. The rest of the world finally comes into play, and it's scary because being a gay teen in the 80s was scary. But it's also beautiful. It's not a smooth ride, but there is a happy - or at least hopeful - ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
luluslittlelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
2.0
If you enjoyed reading Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. I enjoyed the original, but the sequel ruined it for me. My main issue with this book is that the writing was just bad. Ari and Dante seemed to somewhat lose their connection once they were in a relationship. The female characters were poorly written and underdeveloped. The dialogue felt fake. Overall, none of this book seemed very realistic. There were also so many plot holes and parts that were just skipped over. And it was way too long and felt repetitive. I'm really disappointed by this book, especially because I really enjoyed the first one so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Outing and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content
roefrancis_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
5.0
I have never cried so hard reading a book, I love these characters so much having read both books back to back you realise how well formed they are and by the end of the second book you feel that you have grown up with them.
I’m going to leave this review basic but I know this duology is going to be my new comfort books and comfort characters and I am so excited for the film release so we can see these characters again
I’m going to leave this review basic but I know this duology is going to be my new comfort books and comfort characters and I am so excited for the film release so we can see these characters again
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, Death of parent, and War
mosaicbrokenhearts's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.0
Here we go. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is my favorite book of all time so i was obviously extremely excited for the sequel. I even decided to reread the first book before reading the second which was a big mistake. As we all know, the writing in Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is absolutely gorgeous and my first thought while reading this book was: "what am i reading and who are these characters". I absolutely hated it at first if i'm being honest. The narrative and the relationships in the book just felt so forced to me, just like many things the characters said, specially Ari's parents. And unfortunely this feeling stayed with me for most of the book. But there were some parts that almost left me breathless. Sometimes i would just stare at a page and think: "yes, these are the people i know, this is my Ari, and everything feels right".
One thing i absolutely loved in this book were the new relationships we got. Cassandra, Gina and Susie are the best girls in the world and i love them so much. Ari's relationship with his father was my favorite thing and i'm so glad we got to see them grow closer and start to understand each other.
Ari starting to accept the love people have for him was absolutely beautiful, and seeing him get the closure he deserves regarding his brother was very much needed.
I did miss Dante a lot though. As important as those new relationships were, when the went back to school it felt like Dante completely disappeared.
I honestly have so many thoughts on this book that i can't exactly put into words but overall this book was a rollercoaster. It doesn't even come close to the first one and while i have so many things that didn't exactly please me, i did like it a lot. I've been thinking about that last chapter nonstop ever since i finished the book because GOD!!! It was gorgeous.
Please!! ignore any mistakes since english isn't my first language lol thank u <3
One thing i absolutely loved in this book were the new relationships we got. Cassandra, Gina and Susie are the best girls in the world and i love them so much. Ari's relationship with his father was my favorite thing and i'm so glad we got to see them grow closer and start to understand each other.
Ari starting to accept the love people have for him was absolutely beautiful, and seeing him get the closure he deserves regarding his brother was very much needed.
I did miss Dante a lot though. As important as those new relationships were, when the went back to school it felt like Dante completely disappeared.
I honestly have so many thoughts on this book that i can't exactly put into words but overall this book was a rollercoaster. It doesn't even come close to the first one and while i have so many things that didn't exactly please me, i did like it a lot. I've been thinking about that last chapter nonstop ever since i finished the book because GOD!!! It was gorgeous.
Please!! ignore any mistakes since english isn't my first language lol thank u <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Xenophobia, Death of parent, and War
lucinotlucy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Sexual content, Violence, Religious bigotry, and War
anka_not_anchor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A beautiful story - loved how there’s an appreciation for women included! One thing I disliked was that a significant portion of the dialogue felt very forced and unrealistic. Ruined my immersion at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, and Death of parent
downsophialane's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
Minor: Drug use, Hate crime, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder
brennach's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Homophobia, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Hate crime, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Xenophobia, and Murder
nextkt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Benjamin Alire Sáenz isn't a perfect writer. His prose is achingly beautiful and often funny in a way that makes you want to cry, but the plots of his books often err on the side of melodramatic and to enjoy them you must have a soft spot for bible-esque affirmations reflecting on life and how to live it right. Despite this: his writing is kind. Kind and honest. And both of these qualities are so prevalent in this book it almost made it difficult to read. It's an earnestness that makes you want to avert your eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Deadnaming, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, Violence, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Outing
Minor: War
j_emerson18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
I loved the first book and didn't think I was able to love this one more, but I do. This book, while sad a certain points, was so incredibly beautiful. It was inspiring and heartfelt. The word love doesn't not get close enough to how I feel about this duology or even the second book alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content