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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
Find this review and more on my blog at Worlds Unlike Our Own.
Thank you to the publisher, Harper Collins Canada, and HCC Frenzy for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Eliza Quan is looking forward to being the editor in chief for her school newspaper – after all, with her extensive experience and portfolio, she is the perfect choice. Until Len DeMartile, a former jock and inexperienced newcomer decides to run against her and actually wins, just because people seem to feel that he would make a better leader. In frustration, Eliza writes down her feelings at being overlooked despite her qualifications, just because Len is more likable, and pointing out how there has never been a female editor in chief before, calling out not only the school paper, but many of the other student organizations as well. When the article is accidentally published, while there is a backlash of people claiming that she is simply crying misogyny, Eliza’s article also unwittingly inspires a feminist movement throughout the school. As Eliza and Len are asked to work together on some articles to ease the tension in the school, Eliza is horrified to realize that she might actually be falling for Len, making the situation even more complicated.
First, I want to say a huge thank you again to HCC Frenzy, because I hadn’t heard of this book until the Fall event around a month ago. It was an instant addition to my TBR and I was even more excited when I actually got an ARC of the book. This book was everything the synopsis promised to be, an interesting, genuine story that explores some extremely relevant themes, feminism just being the first of many. I thought that it portrayed feminism in a very realistic manner, showing that it isn’t something that’s black and white. Of course, it was a bit simplistic at times, but considering the younger target audience of this book, it fit just right.
Eliza was initially a rather unlikable character as the title indicates, intense and overly critical of other people’s work, so it wasn’t surprising to me that she lost the election. But I actually ended up liking her character a lot by the end of the first few chapters as her arc shows significant development over the course of the book. An intelligent, ambitious and very driven character, her perspective was fun to read, easy to connect to and actually quite relatable. As for Len, he was a nice character, but much of the focus is on Eliza in this book. I feel like he didn’t get enough character development, which is a pity, because from what we learn of him, he seemed quite interesting and I would have loved it if Len had had a couple of POV chapters. The romance was pretty cute and I’m always here for a good enemies-to-lovers trope. This was a rather fast paced read, so there wasn’t as much page time given to their relationship as I would have liked, but what we got was still good.
The main question surrounding the plot of the book – who leaked Eliza’s article and started the whole chain of events – is one I guessed early into the book, well before the 50% mark actually, but it didn’t reduce my enjoyment of the book at all, because there was so much else going on. Overall, this was a solid and engaging read and I honestly can’t find much to criticize. I really liked the way things came together in the end and this is one I would definitely come back to when I’m in the mood for a book that’s light, yet meaningful. Highly recommended, especially if you’re a fan of books like Moxie!
Thank you to the publisher, Harper Collins Canada, and HCC Frenzy for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Eliza Quan is looking forward to being the editor in chief for her school newspaper – after all, with her extensive experience and portfolio, she is the perfect choice. Until Len DeMartile, a former jock and inexperienced newcomer decides to run against her and actually wins, just because people seem to feel that he would make a better leader. In frustration, Eliza writes down her feelings at being overlooked despite her qualifications, just because Len is more likable, and pointing out how there has never been a female editor in chief before, calling out not only the school paper, but many of the other student organizations as well. When the article is accidentally published, while there is a backlash of people claiming that she is simply crying misogyny, Eliza’s article also unwittingly inspires a feminist movement throughout the school. As Eliza and Len are asked to work together on some articles to ease the tension in the school, Eliza is horrified to realize that she might actually be falling for Len, making the situation even more complicated.
First, I want to say a huge thank you again to HCC Frenzy, because I hadn’t heard of this book until the Fall event around a month ago. It was an instant addition to my TBR and I was even more excited when I actually got an ARC of the book. This book was everything the synopsis promised to be, an interesting, genuine story that explores some extremely relevant themes, feminism just being the first of many. I thought that it portrayed feminism in a very realistic manner, showing that it isn’t something that’s black and white. Of course, it was a bit simplistic at times, but considering the younger target audience of this book, it fit just right.
Eliza was initially a rather unlikable character as the title indicates, intense and overly critical of other people’s work, so it wasn’t surprising to me that she lost the election. But I actually ended up liking her character a lot by the end of the first few chapters as her arc shows significant development over the course of the book. An intelligent, ambitious and very driven character, her perspective was fun to read, easy to connect to and actually quite relatable. As for Len, he was a nice character, but much of the focus is on Eliza in this book. I feel like he didn’t get enough character development, which is a pity, because from what we learn of him, he seemed quite interesting and I would have loved it if Len had had a couple of POV chapters. The romance was pretty cute and I’m always here for a good enemies-to-lovers trope. This was a rather fast paced read, so there wasn’t as much page time given to their relationship as I would have liked, but what we got was still good.
The main question surrounding the plot of the book – who leaked Eliza’s article and started the whole chain of events – is one I guessed early into the book, well before the 50% mark actually, but it didn’t reduce my enjoyment of the book at all, because there was so much else going on. Overall, this was a solid and engaging read and I honestly can’t find much to criticize. I really liked the way things came together in the end and this is one I would definitely come back to when I’m in the mood for a book that’s light, yet meaningful. Highly recommended, especially if you’re a fan of books like Moxie!
Jmets trois etoiles parce qu'en vrai ça se lisait bien. La romance etait cool. Par contre appelait son livre "Eliza est féministe" et avoir plein de sexisme/misogynie intériorisée sur les femmes coquette, qui se maquille et tt bon bon.... (ex : la soeur d'Eliza et Serena.)
J'pense que j"aurais plus aimé ce livre au collège parce que je suis quand meme bien renseigné maintenant sur le sujet du féminisme. Et que maintenant y a plein de trucs qui m"ont dérangé en le lisant.
J'pense que j"aurais plus aimé ce livre au collège parce que je suis quand meme bien renseigné maintenant sur le sujet du féminisme. Et que maintenant y a plein de trucs qui m"ont dérangé en le lisant.
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
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
The next book on my chopping block: Not Here to be Liked by Michele Quach. Sigh Sigh, I’m already tired of reading books from my physical TBR. Alas, we must persevere. So this is a contemporary book set in high school, with a mix of romance, self-discovery, and important topics like sexism and racism. There’s also a nice mix of representation in this book. The writing is light and entertaining. So why only 3 stars?
I’m glad you asked.
My first mistake was ordering this book after I saw it on Pinterest. I have trust issues from social media books recs, but I digress. Anyway, the premise is that a girl gets passed up for editor of the newspaper because, she claims, of a boy who joined the race 24 hours before the staff was to choose a new editor. This boy was known as the physical embodiment of the patriarchy. Therefore she writes a nasty piece about how he was chosen because of sexism and anti-feminism. While I don’t fully disagree, this was such a stretch. Then Eliza rallies her friends and classmates to stage a walkout against campus sexism.
It doesn’t sound so bad and it is starting really important discussions from a young age. My biggest problem with this book is that it itself is loaded with internalized misogyny. Eliza and Winona are “not like other girls” and certainly not like Serena, who is a popular girl that’s known for dating some of the senior jocks. Then Eliza spends a good chunk of time shitting on her sister for wanting to look nice because “don’t you want to be recognized for your brain”. I hate that this book turned feminism into a two dimensional argument. You can be a feminist no matter what you enjoy. Commentary on someone’s appearance, slut-shaming, distancing yourself from a certain type of women, these are all misogynistic.
Overall this book is a good intro to basic feminism and intersectionality for those from age 12-16, although with a grain of salt. I think for parents, it’s important to further the convo in this book and reiterate that you can care about your appearance, date and still be a feminist.
I’m glad you asked.
My first mistake was ordering this book after I saw it on Pinterest. I have trust issues from social media books recs, but I digress. Anyway, the premise is that a girl gets passed up for editor of the newspaper because, she claims, of a boy who joined the race 24 hours before the staff was to choose a new editor. This boy was known as the physical embodiment of the patriarchy. Therefore she writes a nasty piece about how he was chosen because of sexism and anti-feminism. While I don’t fully disagree, this was such a stretch. Then Eliza rallies her friends and classmates to stage a walkout against campus sexism.
It doesn’t sound so bad and it is starting really important discussions from a young age. My biggest problem with this book is that it itself is loaded with internalized misogyny. Eliza and Winona are “not like other girls” and certainly not like Serena, who is a popular girl that’s known for dating some of the senior jocks. Then Eliza spends a good chunk of time shitting on her sister for wanting to look nice because “don’t you want to be recognized for your brain”. I hate that this book turned feminism into a two dimensional argument. You can be a feminist no matter what you enjoy. Commentary on someone’s appearance, slut-shaming, distancing yourself from a certain type of women, these are all misogynistic.
Overall this book is a good intro to basic feminism and intersectionality for those from age 12-16, although with a grain of salt. I think for parents, it’s important to further the convo in this book and reiterate that you can care about your appearance, date and still be a feminist.
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
I started this book with an expectation of it being an academic rivals to lover book. Instead, I got more, and I loved it. I expected more with the romance, and I was quite disappointed. However, the other topics discussed made up for it. This talked about feminism, internalized misogyny, sexism and patriarchy. The book shed light on what being Asian in America feels like. I loved it so much. I also loved the character development in the book. It showed their journey to understanding feminism. The romance was also cute, and the ending was something hopeful which I liked. The plot moved forward well as it tackled important discussions head on, and it was truly a journey to read. Although I grew detached to the story at times, I would still recommend this book to anyone since it is a very easy and quick read!
It was a cutesy read, not exactly my favourite but pretty good.
3.5 stars!
3.5 stars!