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devynreadsnovels's review
- 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
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
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, and Body shaming
Moderate: Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, and Racism
Minor: Death, Sexism, and Suicide
daniellereadslikealot_'s review
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, Dysphoria, Suicidal thoughts, and Body shaming
Moderate: Racism and Transphobia
Minor: Death and Suicide
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- 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
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!
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