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bendersreads's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Racial slurs
Minor: Medical content
cuppacora's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.25
Review to come.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
spinesinaline's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A cute romance, loved the nerding out. Thanks to Penguin Canada for an e-ARC! Check out spinesinaline.wordpress.com for my full review.
I haven’t read David Yoon’s debut yet but this book is solidly YA. I’ve certainly read hard-hitting young adult books before but Super Fake seemed to stick to the older template of simplifying big issues with hints at larger discussions and a neatly tied-up ending. That said, as I wrote in my notes as I read this book, “I think my rating comes down to more of a ‘me’ problem”, so if the “typical YA” rocks your boat, you’ll likely find lots to love about this one.
I did really like the characters and their humour for the most part. These kids are intense nerds and it’s wonderful to get immersed in their world of LARPing (Live Action Role-Playing). And I loved the overall message of the book — it’s not just about a nerdy kid who pretends to be cool and then wants to relish that high school fame. Instead, he finds that he truly enjoys being able to feel comfortable in his own skin, and has to come to terms with the shame he’s internalized about his nerdy hobbies which used to bring him so much joy.
In terms of drawbacks, it is quite a simplified story with very minimal consequences, more of a “let’s all get along” feeling. I also felt two plot points involving the ending were way too rushed (literally, because the author tells us how much time has passed); even in the magical land of fiction, there’s just no way those things were completed in that short a timespan. Some issues of race and wealth are brought up but I would’ve liked them to have been delved into further as they felt like really integral parts of this story and who these characters are. There was also some odd spoken dialogue from the MC that would throw me off, almost like the author did a keyboard smash. I understood that the author was trying to convey that Sunny was feeling awkward and stumbling over his words, but how am I supposed to interpret that as a human sound??
One funny thing though that’s not a big spoiler — completely believable that a teenager would borrow his brother’s clothes each day and then PUT THEM BACK IN THE CLOSET without washing them!! His poor parents.
I haven’t read David Yoon’s debut yet but this book is solidly YA. I’ve certainly read hard-hitting young adult books before but Super Fake seemed to stick to the older template of simplifying big issues with hints at larger discussions and a neatly tied-up ending. That said, as I wrote in my notes as I read this book, “I think my rating comes down to more of a ‘me’ problem”, so if the “typical YA” rocks your boat, you’ll likely find lots to love about this one.
I did really like the characters and their humour for the most part. These kids are intense nerds and it’s wonderful to get immersed in their world of LARPing (Live Action Role-Playing). And I loved the overall message of the book — it’s not just about a nerdy kid who pretends to be cool and then wants to relish that high school fame. Instead, he finds that he truly enjoys being able to feel comfortable in his own skin, and has to come to terms with the shame he’s internalized about his nerdy hobbies which used to bring him so much joy.
In terms of drawbacks, it is quite a simplified story with very minimal consequences, more of a “let’s all get along” feeling. I also felt two plot points involving the ending were way too rushed (literally, because the author tells us how much time has passed); even in the magical land of fiction, there’s just no way those things were completed in that short a timespan. Some issues of race and wealth are brought up but I would’ve liked them to have been delved into further as they felt like really integral parts of this story and who these characters are. There was also some odd spoken dialogue from the MC that would throw me off, almost like the author did a keyboard smash. I understood that the author was trying to convey that Sunny was feeling awkward and stumbling over his words, but how am I supposed to interpret that as a human sound??
One funny thing though that’s not a big spoiler — completely believable that a teenager would borrow his brother’s clothes each day and then PUT THEM BACK IN THE CLOSET without washing them!! His poor parents.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Racial slurs and Racism
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