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devynreadsnovels's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Transphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, Dysphoria, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Death, and Suicide
al3xa's review
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Body horror, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic friendship
whitneymouse's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
This was difficult for me to read with my anxiety. It was very good and informative, but the intrusive thoughts were stressful for me. Additionally, I think this book was maybe 50 pages too long and it got repetitive after a while. I realize OCD is about rituals and repetition, but there were multiple poems about the train, multiple poems about Felicia (which didn't feel like it was necessary. It was just an unnecessary addition). The religious aspects could have been better explored. The last 50-60 pages use the phrase "sticky" and "electric meat" A LOT. I think there were some good conversations about therapy, gender, feminism, and police brutality in this book, though. Good, just too long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Police brutality, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Blood
Moderate: Colonisation, Eating disorder, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Cultural appropriation, Body horror, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Colonization is in reference to gentrification of a neighborhood. Whole book is about mental illness and violent intrusive thoughts, so know that going in. It can be hard for those with anxiety or who are sensitive to graphic descriptions of intrusive thoughts of violence.betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
This is a very emotional, heavy book as Ariel struggles with violent intrusive thoughts throughout the book, sure that no one can ever love her because of it. Sure that she'll act on one of those violent thoughts at one point. We are taken through her journey as she learns about OCD, and tries to learn how to ask for the help and support that she needs.
There aren't a lot of YA books I can think of that focus on intrusive thoughts quite like this book does. But in addition to mental health, Ariel is also struggling with questions about gender and possibly getting into her first relationship. Even if you aren't personally struggling with OCD, there are elements of Ariel's that readers will still be able to relate to.
All in all, a heavy book in verse, but definitley one worth reading.
There aren't a lot of YA books I can think of that focus on intrusive thoughts quite like this book does. But in addition to mental health, Ariel is also struggling with questions about gender and possibly getting into her first relationship. Even if you aren't personally struggling with OCD, there are elements of Ariel's that readers will still be able to relate to.
All in all, a heavy book in verse, but definitley one worth reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, and Body shaming
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
Minor: Death, Sexism, and Suicide
daniellereadslikealot_'s review
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Dear Medusa is one of my favorite novels in verse so I was very excited to read Cole’s next book. Ariel feels like she’s too much of everything: too big, too broad, too queer and too much. She deals with OCD and intrusive thoughts and is terrified to let anybody in for fear they’ll see what goes on in her head. This is very much a character driven novel, not a lot of action, but I still felt very invested in the story. Besides OCD, Ariel Crashes A Train covers topics like body dysmorphia, transphobia, sexual harassment, racism and grief. I thought each topic was done with such care. I absolutely loved this book Cole’s writing style and especially her note at the end about her own struggle with OCD. I highly recommend this one, but definitely make sure you’re in the right mindset to read it. It is a lot, but it’s such a necessary book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for an advanced digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, Dysphoria, Suicidal thoughts, and Body shaming
Moderate: Racism and Transphobia
Minor: Death and Suicide
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I requested this ARC because I loved Olivia A. Cole's Dear Medusa. I didn't remember the description, so it's a testament to how well Cole portrayed OCD that I was able to identify it before Ariel realized it. After reading the acknowledgments, I understand why and appreciate Cole's exploration of the topic.
I loved the portrayal of the crocodile brain. I loved the support Ariel gets from her new friends and her sister and even her boss. I wish Ariel could have gotten more support from her parents, but that's just realistically not the case in many situations. Still sucks, though. I enjoyed the concept of challenging gender and racism and all the mental health topics that connected Ruth and Rex and Ariel. I think the book was a little longer than it needed to be, though I definitely enjoyed the novel-in-verse style. I'd recommend this for people who love stories about mental health that feature queer characters.
Rep: OCD (MC), lesbian (MC), trans (side character)
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
I loved the portrayal of the crocodile brain. I loved the support Ariel gets from her new friends and her sister and even her boss. I wish Ariel could have gotten more support from her parents, but that's just realistically not the case in many situations. Still sucks, though. I enjoyed the concept of challenging gender and racism and all the mental health topics that connected Ruth and Rex and Ariel. I think the book was a little longer than it needed to be, though I definitely enjoyed the novel-in-verse style. I'd recommend this for people who love stories about mental health that feature queer characters.
Rep: OCD (MC), lesbian (MC), trans (side character)
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Suicide
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I adored this novel-in-verse, though it was quite devastating to see Ariel in pain and so hard on herself throughout the book. This is the first time I have read from Olivia A. Cole and I was so incredibly moved 😭
Ariel is a teenager who is 5’11” and the reason I bring that up is because her size/height is a point of contention, especially for the men around her. They feel inclined to say something about her size unwarranted, and it’s insufferable. She wrestles with insidious thoughts about herself and those around her, while maintaining a long-distance friendship with her sister Mandy who is away at college. Ariel feels stuck at home with her parents who she becomes more and more disillusioned with, and recognizes that her friend Leah is distancing herself from Ariel too.
Ariel makes friends with Ruth and Rex, while continuously fielding her thoughts, in between ruminating on gender, gender stereotypes and the binary, sexuality, and relationships in general. I appreciated the author’s transparency and vulnerability in the acknowledgements/author’s note at the very end, which connects their journey to Ariel’s 🫂 I don’t want to spoil it but I felt this was a deeply honest and bittersweet illustration of a kid working through trauma, grief, identity, and intrusive thoughts/mental health. I will absolutely read from OAC again!
I adored this novel-in-verse, though it was quite devastating to see Ariel in pain and so hard on herself throughout the book. This is the first time I have read from Olivia A. Cole and I was so incredibly moved 😭
Ariel is a teenager who is 5’11” and the reason I bring that up is because her size/height is a point of contention, especially for the men around her. They feel inclined to say something about her size unwarranted, and it’s insufferable. She wrestles with insidious thoughts about herself and those around her, while maintaining a long-distance friendship with her sister Mandy who is away at college. Ariel feels stuck at home with her parents who she becomes more and more disillusioned with, and recognizes that her friend Leah is distancing herself from Ariel too.
Ariel makes friends with Ruth and Rex, while continuously fielding her thoughts, in between ruminating on gender, gender stereotypes and the binary, sexuality, and relationships in general. I appreciated the author’s transparency and vulnerability in the acknowledgements/author’s note at the very end, which connects their journey to Ariel’s 🫂 I don’t want to spoil it but I felt this was a deeply honest and bittersweet illustration of a kid working through trauma, grief, identity, and intrusive thoughts/mental health. I will absolutely read from OAC again!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Gaslighting, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Ableism, Dysphoria, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Body shaming
Minor: Sexism and Racism
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