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taylors_escapism's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
5.0
As someone who took a queer history course in college, I appreciate the attention to detail surrounding a multitude of queer issues, tragedies, protests, and events that took place during the 90’s. Couldn’t recommend this book enough!!!
georgia_jaycee's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
honeyedhearts's review
4.0
the beginning was painfully cringe and it took a bit to get past the first chapter but I'm glad I did!
It's Donna Tartes Secret History meets Libba Brays Gemma Doyle trilogy all set during the aids crisis. it's a coming of age story, magic, murder, secret societies, and protecting queer history by fighting for the queer future.
Genuinely really wound up enjoying it!
It's Donna Tartes Secret History meets Libba Brays Gemma Doyle trilogy all set during the aids crisis. it's a coming of age story, magic, murder, secret societies, and protecting queer history by fighting for the queer future.
Genuinely really wound up enjoying it!
fastandfurriest's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25
lokeartemis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
5.0
moon_shaped_pool's review
4.5
So impactful and important omg. The plot lost me in the middle but the ending made up for it.
claudia_marcela's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
tiffanygrace's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
andrewthegriffin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
jsncnrd's review against another edition
5.0
This was my 59th book of the year, and it easily falls within my top 10, if not my top 5. From the moment I first saw this book on Goodreads, I was eagerly anticipating its arrival. I stayed up until midnight on release night so I could read it. It did NOT disappoint.
The book was filled with things that I absolutely love: a dark academia atmosphere, the 1990's, queer culture & references, romance, suspense, magic & metaphysics, social commentary, and - finally - a sense of hope. Andy Mientus expertly blended disparate genre elements into something truly special. The end result is a novel that is compelling, thrilling, emotional, tragic, touching, and truly magical.
Words cannot express how much I loved all 3 of the main characters (Zooey, Leo, and Daniel), as well as our 4th - Steven. We got such a great variety in terms of personality types, narrative styles, and story arcs because we got to read from their separate points of view.
I am a huge horror fan, and this had such an array of horror elements that did not overpower the plot, but rather helped to frame it. Setting up a story about magic & the occult against the background of a mysterious boarding school in 1991 & 1992 was everything. It was the perfect time period to take place in, because it said so much politically not just about the 90's, but also about where we are now in 2022. The focus on the AIDS epidemic was just another emotional layer of the book that was so effective, and it's important for young adults to read about.
I think what I loved most of all about the book was the final message that we were meant to receive when all was said and done: queer people are strong, they are resilient, and they are unstoppable when they come together to fight for justice and freedom. Found family can mean even more than the ones we are born into. Queer friendship is powerful. Powerful enough to take on evil secret societies and demonic entities, even.
I wish I could read this again for the first time. I'm not a huge re-reader, but I see myself coming back to it to relive the experience. I will be recommending this to everyone I know. Run, don't walk, to start this book, just in time for spooky season!
The book was filled with things that I absolutely love: a dark academia atmosphere, the 1990's, queer culture & references, romance, suspense, magic & metaphysics, social commentary, and - finally - a sense of hope. Andy Mientus expertly blended disparate genre elements into something truly special. The end result is a novel that is compelling, thrilling, emotional, tragic, touching, and truly magical.
Words cannot express how much I loved all 3 of the main characters (Zooey, Leo, and Daniel), as well as our 4th - Steven. We got such a great variety in terms of personality types, narrative styles, and story arcs because we got to read from their separate points of view.
I am a huge horror fan, and this had such an array of horror elements that did not overpower the plot, but rather helped to frame it. Setting up a story about magic & the occult against the background of a mysterious boarding school in 1991 & 1992 was everything. It was the perfect time period to take place in, because it said so much politically not just about the 90's, but also about where we are now in 2022. The focus on the AIDS epidemic was just another emotional layer of the book that was so effective, and it's important for young adults to read about.
I think what I loved most of all about the book was the final message that we were meant to receive when all was said and done: queer people are strong, they are resilient, and they are unstoppable when they come together to fight for justice and freedom. Found family can mean even more than the ones we are born into. Queer friendship is powerful. Powerful enough to take on evil secret societies and demonic entities, even.
I wish I could read this again for the first time. I'm not a huge re-reader, but I see myself coming back to it to relive the experience. I will be recommending this to everyone I know. Run, don't walk, to start this book, just in time for spooky season!