Reviews tagging 'Transphobia'

Ariel Crashes a Train by Olivia A. Cole

3 reviews

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

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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

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. 

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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.

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Ableism, Dysphoria, Suicidal thoughts, and Body shaming

Moderate: Racism and Transphobia

Minor: Death and Suicide