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greenknightemrys's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse
sariereads's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.75
Graphic: Outing, Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Classism
pandemonicbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I just wished it had touched more on themes of religious trauma and the inner thoughts and feelings of other characters (specifically shara), but i get why that wouldn't be possible considering chloe is the main character and also the religious trauma in itself wasn't the main focus of the book (mostly its consequences). Overall great book!!
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment, and Homophobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Biphobia, Death, and Racism
bibeanenergy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Religious bigotry
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
apileofcranes's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
A common problem I’ve found for YA books set in high school is the lack of depth in a lot of side characters, and any depth added is usually told to the reader and not shown. I would say this is where Casey McQuiston’s writing shines the brightest. The supporting cast is so fleshed out and charming that I would read spin-offs about them if they existed. The sides ships rival the main pairing in the book, and Smith is just the best character ever.
The plot itself is fast-paced and creatively mysterious without any dreading suspense that someone will be dead by the end of the book, which is a refreshing twist on how this trope usually goes.
It’s an excellent read for anyone who is queer and living in a place/community where they have to hide their true selves, or is struggling with reconciling their queer identity and their religion. It gives a very grounded look into Christian schools in Deep South, a rare setting to see in YA from my experience.
Overall, it’s an amazing read with fleshed-out characters and a playful mystery to boot. An enemies-to-lovers plot so strong you’re left wondering at certain points if they can make it past enemies at all, but the resolution is all the much sweeter for it.
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Outing, and Racism
midnightbelles's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Racism, Classism, Deadnaming, Toxic relationship, Cursing, and Transphobia
Minor: Sexual harassment and Outing
kjbranton'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? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Transphobia, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
bumblemee'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? Yes
4.75
I loved the characters and the friend group, especially Smith grew on me a lot (but Georgia, Rory etc. did as well). It was hilarious to listen to Chloe "I hate Shara Wheeler" Green being obsessed with said Shara, completely stuck in her vision of Shara while knowing that her hatred was anything but actual hatred. (Same thing the other way around.) I also think that the discussions around identity and learning to see people for who they really are were done well and in an accessible way. Reading this as an adult had me thinking "Well yeah, Chloe, surprise! Some people don't fit into that tiny little box you put them into", but I think if I read this as a teenager, her revelations would've been pretty impactful to me; learning how complex humans actually are is a big lesson to learn after all. It was nice to see Chloe grow in that regard. On that note: Chloe Green and Shara Wheeler are some of the smartest dumbasses I ever read about and I love them for it! <3
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Outing, and Child abuse
alreinwarth'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
3.75
Moderate: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria, Deadnaming, and Emotional abuse
celine_reads_books's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Classism, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexism, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Transphobia