Reviews tagging 'Grief'

As You Walk on By by Julian Winters

11 reviews

jencolumb0's review

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

4.0

I picked this up, initially, because I heard Mr. Winters speak on a panel held by a local bookstore and liked what I heard. This is a super solid coming-of-age story about integrity that also has central lessons about inequalities that Black - and, particularly queer Black people - continue to face in the US, that pretty much every white and/or hetero person in the country could stand to read. The last 100 pages or so reminded me of Netflix’s Heartstopper, so plenty of warm-fuzzies to go along with the stuff everyone needs to hear. (And points for the solid bi rep.)

The drug/alcohol elements in this book struck me as somewhat unrealistic for modern day (and could possibly serve as a sticking point for some parents). However, upon further inspection, this element  could actually be a low-key homage to early aughts teen sleaze to accompany the low-key love letter to 90s Black TV and film that’s baked into this book as well. While I don’t think it adds anything substantive to the book, it also doesn’t lend much (other than demonstrating responsibility through unwavering use of DDs . . . which is not the only avenue to the Driving While Black teaching moment for the reader) . . . which is why I bring it up as an unnecessarily polarizing element in a book that needs to get in as many white and/or hetero hands as possible. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, Toxic friendship, Car accident, Drug use, Alcohol, and Child death

Moderate: Classism, Infidelity, and Bullying

The homophobia and misogyny are challenged. Also discusses death of grandparents.

ashleycmms's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Homophobia, Racism, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Grief, Bullying, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Car accident

evelynyle_88's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship, Grief, and Classism

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Biphobia, Car accident, and Death of parent

kaitlinlovesbooks's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Biphobia

Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Death, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Racism, Car accident, and Classism

thatbookishwriter23's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective tense fast-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

4.0

 

It was a cute kinda quick read.

I'm surprised at the social commentary that this book had from being black queer boy to pressure and expectations from adults pushing their dreams on you.

I really like the group he meets and the inclusion of a non binary character. 

Problems I can say I had was exposition. There was a lot of it. A person would mention someone if or something and there would be paragraph of the whole history with that thing. I think it slows down over the course of the book and in the beginning it's very noticeable. The other one was phones. I don't know if this is the impression of teenagers these days but every time something happens someone right there recording it with their phone. Like no lie, every single time. It's bothers me a bit even with some truth to it.

So this book's not my favorite or anything but I didn't hate it. It had lots of queer & diverse characters and good social commentary, even it doesn't really go deep, deep into these things. It was a cute read that kept me entertained and managed to finish reading in a few days. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship

Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Sexual assault

pey333's review

emotional funny 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Misogyny, and Racism

Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, and Death

shybookstagramer's review

5.0

This is my first book by Julian Winters and now I need more! I enjoyed this one a lot. It peaked my interest because of the breakfest club vibes. I loved that movie and I wanted to see how this author could bring that to light in this fun queer ya book. I was not disappointed. I liked that even though it was following the main protagonist, it still focused on each of the other characters in turn and we got to learn about all of them and their troubles. I also liked that it focused a lot on friendship. There was a bit of romance but it was mainly about the friendships and each of the characters figuring things out and growing throughout the story. Overall I think that if you like the breakfast club, I think you will enjoy this one. I cannot wait to read more by Julian Winters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Grief

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, and Racism

betweentheshelves's review against another edition

emotional funny 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

4.0

Leave it to Julian Winters to finally pull me out of my sad book reading streak. Finally, the rom-com that I really needed! Honestly, it's what I've come to expect from a Julian Winters book. There were definitely the Breakfast Club vibes that were promised here, as well as a cute promposal and just all around general teenage romance drama.

A good majority of this book takes place at the same party, and you come to realizations kind of as Theo comes to them. Especially about his friends. The relationships felt realistic, and the drama wasn't too much. There are some well developed side characters, and it's easy to get lost in the cast. It's just an all around enjoyable book, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're look for a good YA romance!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Grief, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Death of parent, Car accident, and Biphobia

imstephtacular's review

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism

Moderate: Grief, Sexual content, Police brutality, Cursing, Bullying, Drug use, Death, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Racism, Homophobia, and Alcohol

Minor: Car accident, Gun violence, and Abandonment

annikaa's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Grief

Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Alcohol, Sexism, Racism, Death, and Misogyny

Minor: Car accident, Lesbophobia, Police brutality, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Biphobia, Bullying, and Classism