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millibee's review
5.0
Oh MY GOD?! Henry Hamlet's Heart has easily become one of my favourite books of the year and possibly of all time. I felt so at home in this book. Rhiannon Wilde's writing style is so easy to get lost in and as someone who was a gay little emo kid in high school during 2008... this was everything to me. There were moments that had me giggling, moments that had me swooning and moments that felt like a gut-punch. I will treasure Henry, Len and even Vince for the rest of time.
drakoulis's review against another edition
4.0
Henry Hamlet's Heart is a heartfelt story of two best friends falling for each other in Brisbane, Australia in the late 00s.
It's funny, light-hearted, full of banter and school shennaningans that seem like the whole world when you are a teenager. Henry is adorably nerdy while artsy Len is an amazing friend but has the habit of hiding from his feelings, afraid of getting hurt.
I loved the two first parts of the book, where we watch Henry, Len and the Boyisss (their friend group) during their last school term. Henry's family is weird and full of love, and I adored his little brother Ham. Len on the other side was dealt a tougher hand, especially after his mother's death left him with his (let's be honest, absolutely terrible) father.
The third part suffered from the author's choice to use some overused and eye-rolling tropes: "I'm not worth for you", "Running away afraid of getting hurt", "I refuse to communicate". It's implied that the underlying reason for this behaviour lies with the grief of the past, but it isn't really explored - and the book is from Henry's POV, so we never know what Leni is thinking.
The finale makes up with a very sweet scene, although (as in many other YA romace books) I wish the book would have one-two more chapters with the boys being more talkative and open about their feelings instead of ending with the climax.
Another standout of the book was the Australian feel, and the 2008 feel - you could very quickly see that this book is not set in the present, without explicitly mentioning it immediately.
Thank you NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for the ARC of the US version!
It's funny, light-hearted, full of banter and school shennaningans that seem like the whole world when you are a teenager. Henry is adorably nerdy while artsy Len is an amazing friend but has the habit of hiding from his feelings, afraid of getting hurt.
I loved the two first parts of the book, where we watch Henry, Len and the Boyisss (their friend group) during their last school term. Henry's family is weird and full of love, and I adored his little brother Ham. Len on the other side was dealt a tougher hand, especially after his mother's death left him with his (let's be honest, absolutely terrible) father.
The third part suffered from the author's choice to use some overused and eye-rolling tropes: "I'm not worth for you", "Running away afraid of getting hurt", "I refuse to communicate". It's implied that the underlying reason for this behaviour lies with the grief of the past, but it isn't really explored - and the book is from Henry's POV, so we never know what Leni is thinking.
The finale makes up with a very sweet scene, although (as in many other YA romace books) I wish the book would have one-two more chapters with the boys being more talkative and open about their feelings instead of ending with the climax.
Another standout of the book was the Australian feel, and the 2008 feel - you could very quickly see that this book is not set in the present, without explicitly mentioning it immediately.
Thank you NetGalley and Charlesbridge Teen for the ARC of the US version!
ellie_debney's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia
readwithjodey's review
5.0
Henry Hamlet (has my) Heart
To put it simply, Henry Hamlet’s Heart lovingly bludgeoned me to death with nostalgia and queer yearning (in the best way possible). Set in the early-mid 2000’s with references to early days Paramore and other emo-punk bands, the front cover of this book felt like a door into my own brain. I immediately knew Henry, because I saw myself crystal clear in his shoes, the lowkey (okay yeah maybe highkey) nerd, closeted questioning queer school captain that wore glasses of a public school filled with boys that gave way to sexual tension and confusion, and girls that just managed to make it all worse. That was my high school experience, and Wilde perfectly captured those feelings and packaged them up into Henry Hamlet.
We follow our awkward and confused Henry throughout the final months of year 12 as he navigates his way through the classic and stereotypical final year of high school antics, all the while, we watch the unfolding and chaotic blossoming of his sexuality in the form of his attraction to Len. Oh Len… Len, Len, Len, how I love to hate him. And equally love to love him. Though some of his actions towards the end of the book were questionable (calling Henry a mistake and going ghost being a big one there), it is hard not to still feel some sympathy for him. Len, with the trials and tribulations of confused feelings for Hen, coupled with his troubled relationship with his father, comes together to create an unstable force that threatens to uproot Len at every turn. Unfortunately, Hen tends to cop the brunt of this, and though many of their arguments resolve with sometimes very little ‘proper’ reconciliation, their dynamic feels real and raw. It is rife with confusion and trepidation, but also joy, and excitement. It is the right amount of queer yearning and queer fear.
Wilde’s love of her hometown was evident and clear from the start, those pages practically oozed Brisbane. The essence of Brisbane is palpable, from the apt descriptions of its characteristic ‘Queenslander’ styled houses to Jacaranda trees, to our dearly beloved New Farm Park. Every corner that Henry and his friends turned there was something familiar, a reminder of home, a place where any Brisbanite would recognise.
Henry Hamlet’s Heart is a beautiful synthesis of queer adolescence in the melting pot that is high school (and especially grade 12) and is as cosy as it is raw and heartfelt. You can tell it was written with love and care, and I praise Wilde for capturing such a profound and almost indescribable cocktail of feelings and emotions.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, Gran is the queen of all queers, a mascot for the masses. She has my heart just as much as Henry does.
5/5 stars.
To put it simply, Henry Hamlet’s Heart lovingly bludgeoned me to death with nostalgia and queer yearning (in the best way possible). Set in the early-mid 2000’s with references to early days Paramore and other emo-punk bands, the front cover of this book felt like a door into my own brain. I immediately knew Henry, because I saw myself crystal clear in his shoes, the lowkey (okay yeah maybe highkey) nerd, closeted questioning queer school captain that wore glasses of a public school filled with boys that gave way to sexual tension and confusion, and girls that just managed to make it all worse. That was my high school experience, and Wilde perfectly captured those feelings and packaged them up into Henry Hamlet.
We follow our awkward and confused Henry throughout the final months of year 12 as he navigates his way through the classic and stereotypical final year of high school antics, all the while, we watch the unfolding and chaotic blossoming of his sexuality in the form of his attraction to Len. Oh Len… Len, Len, Len, how I love to hate him. And equally love to love him. Though some of his actions towards the end of the book were questionable (calling Henry a mistake and going ghost being a big one there), it is hard not to still feel some sympathy for him. Len, with the trials and tribulations of confused feelings for Hen, coupled with his troubled relationship with his father, comes together to create an unstable force that threatens to uproot Len at every turn. Unfortunately, Hen tends to cop the brunt of this, and though many of their arguments resolve with sometimes very little ‘proper’ reconciliation, their dynamic feels real and raw. It is rife with confusion and trepidation, but also joy, and excitement. It is the right amount of queer yearning and queer fear.
Wilde’s love of her hometown was evident and clear from the start, those pages practically oozed Brisbane. The essence of Brisbane is palpable, from the apt descriptions of its characteristic ‘Queenslander’ styled houses to Jacaranda trees, to our dearly beloved New Farm Park. Every corner that Henry and his friends turned there was something familiar, a reminder of home, a place where any Brisbanite would recognise.
Henry Hamlet’s Heart is a beautiful synthesis of queer adolescence in the melting pot that is high school (and especially grade 12) and is as cosy as it is raw and heartfelt. You can tell it was written with love and care, and I praise Wilde for capturing such a profound and almost indescribable cocktail of feelings and emotions.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, Gran is the queen of all queers, a mascot for the masses. She has my heart just as much as Henry does.
5/5 stars.
orange_06's review against another edition
4.25
god why couldnt they just TALK to each other like normal ppl :((
transparent_tea's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
After reading the first chapter, I had to do a double take on what this book was about. After a quick Goodreads search on some reviews, I fully understood that this story took place in 2008 somewhere in Australia, which is why some of the slang didn't make sense.
The reader goes through Henry Hamlet's senior year of school, a queer coming-to-age story. He starts to see things in a different light and realizes that he's actually in love with his childhood friend, Lennon Cane. But Len also needed to figure things out himself, as he was seen as the playboy of his class, and only having everything click after doing a dare.
Part 1 is the blossoming of this new relationship, Part 2 is figuring out what this relationship can be, while Part 3 is the dark times, but with a happy ending.
The reader goes through Henry Hamlet's senior year of school, a queer coming-to-age story. He starts to see things in a different light and realizes that he's actually in love with his childhood friend, Lennon Cane. But Len also needed to figure things out himself, as he was seen as the playboy of his class, and only having everything click after doing a dare.
Part 1 is the blossoming of this new relationship, Part 2 is figuring out what this relationship can be, while Part 3 is the dark times, but with a happy ending.
nicktelesco's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
afox17's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars
Henry Hamlet’s Heart is an entertaining coming of age novel that explores finding yourself, trauma, first love, and first heartbreak. Overall, I had mixed views while reading this book. The story was very enjoyable, but it left me wanting more in a few spots, namely the ending. It ended a bit too abruptly for me, but I also understand what the author was going for.
The relationship between Len and Henry were adorable and heartbreaking at times. It felt very real, and I enjoyed their playful banter. Their journey from friends to lover was a bit of a slow burn, and I personally wish it went a little bit faster and fleshed out.
This is a very enjoyable, quick YA read, and I would definitely recommend it! It might not have been exactly what I was expecting, but I still think it is worth giving a chance! I look forward to seeing what the Rhiannon Wilde has in store for the future!
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley and Charlesbridge!
Henry Hamlet’s Heart is an entertaining coming of age novel that explores finding yourself, trauma, first love, and first heartbreak. Overall, I had mixed views while reading this book. The story was very enjoyable, but it left me wanting more in a few spots, namely the ending. It ended a bit too abruptly for me, but I also understand what the author was going for.
The relationship between Len and Henry were adorable and heartbreaking at times. It felt very real, and I enjoyed their playful banter. Their journey from friends to lover was a bit of a slow burn, and I personally wish it went a little bit faster and fleshed out.
This is a very enjoyable, quick YA read, and I would definitely recommend it! It might not have been exactly what I was expecting, but I still think it is worth giving a chance! I look forward to seeing what the Rhiannon Wilde has in store for the future!
Thank you for the eARC Netgalley and Charlesbridge!
joksas's review
5.0
this book is so tender and funny and loving and warm and i was grinning for a good portion of it
who gave this book permission to be so good??? i was unprepared. i am now paying the price (being very emo at 3am)
the ~sad part~ lasted a lot longer than i expected, but i can’t even be that mad because i adored this beautiful book that much. ugh. take my five stars, rhiannon wilde
who gave this book permission to be so good??? i was unprepared. i am now paying the price (being very emo at 3am)
the ~sad part~ lasted a lot longer than i expected, but i can’t even be that mad because i adored this beautiful book that much. ugh. take my five stars, rhiannon wilde
libraryofzoe's review
5.0
Brisbane, coming of age gay love story and set in the early 2000s?!?! What else could you want from a book?
This was the most beautiful and heart swelling coming of age story i have read in a long time. If my friends who are members of the LGBTQ+ society had this book while they were growing up what a different experience coming out would have been.
I believe this book is so important and will help so many young people find peace in who they are.
This was the most beautiful and heart swelling coming of age story i have read in a long time. If my friends who are members of the LGBTQ+ society had this book while they were growing up what a different experience coming out would have been.
I believe this book is so important and will help so many young people find peace in who they are.