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olliums's review against another edition
every time i read queer YA contemporary i'm like, "wow i found this engaging but also kind of aggravating." i'm not fully sure why i keep doing it but i guess the engaging > the annoying. i do feel better not rating it because i DO keep reading these books even tho i am fully aware that they are not for me
anyway much like ex. cemetery boys i liked to read a cute romance plot where characters are queer, i enjoy the events of this book in the manner that i would enjoy a fun teen comedy movie. the parts that i enjoyed much less are the parts where characters recite viral tumblr posts to each other. 'i know as a trans person of color my life expectancy is 30'? this is. not true. anyway i understand that it's the point of ya topical lit to hold the readers hand and that is why i know this is for teens and i hope that they enjoy it
anyway much like ex. cemetery boys i liked to read a cute romance plot where characters are queer, i enjoy the events of this book in the manner that i would enjoy a fun teen comedy movie. the parts that i enjoyed much less are the parts where characters recite viral tumblr posts to each other. 'i know as a trans person of color my life expectancy is 30'? this is. not true. anyway i understand that it's the point of ya topical lit to hold the readers hand and that is why i know this is for teens and i hope that they enjoy it
whowk's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
eva_sophie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Transphobia
sxmuel98's review against another edition
1.0
Felix is truly a shitty ass person and I dislike him even more because he reminds me of me when I was a teenager, except I wouldnt CATFISH someone. It was basically the main reason I couldnt like this, even if it ended the way I wanted it to.
Also, as someone who's trans, I want to see trans characters with a PERSONALITY. he had absolutely nothing, only that he liked art. That's it, other than that everything he is is an LGBT-person and that's not how it is in real life. AND as someone who has parents who doesnt accept him even in the slightest and I'm afraid of being kicked out every fucking day, the fact that he actually ran out on his dad when he tried to talk to him DESPITE the fact that he got free surgery and hormones made my fucking blood boil. I get it, I do. You can feel hurt by the smallest of things, I'm sad about the same things he is but my fuching god. And he says EZRA shouldnt complain and that cant see his privilege. I'm not gonna say fuck this book because a trans teen out there is gonna see themselves and love it, and everything about that makes me so happy. But it made me as a adult trans person extremely fucking sad and mad
Also, as someone who's trans, I want to see trans characters with a PERSONALITY. he had absolutely nothing, only that he liked art. That's it, other than that everything he is is an LGBT-person and that's not how it is in real life. AND as someone who has parents who doesnt accept him even in the slightest and I'm afraid of being kicked out every fucking day, the fact that he actually ran out on his dad when he tried to talk to him DESPITE the fact that he got free surgery and hormones made my fucking blood boil. I get it, I do. You can feel hurt by the smallest of things, I'm sad about the same things he is but my fuching god. And he says EZRA shouldnt complain and that cant see his privilege. I'm not gonna say fuck this book because a trans teen out there is gonna see themselves and love it, and everything about that makes me so happy. But it made me as a adult trans person extremely fucking sad and mad
wormplosion's review against another edition
2.0
god okay i just i wanted to slam down an easy 5 stars because i usually LOVE the queer YA books coming out and floating around but this was not it for me.
the writing wasn’t there. it was almost painfully repetitive (quite a few times i’d have to jump back a page to see if i somehow was reading the same page again), the characters were hard for me to like or connect with (maybe it’s because i’m not totally the target audience i don’t think), and i just had a hard time really getting into it past a surface level.
there are some really stand out like 6/5 star moments but not enough for me to pull it above a 2
and i want to make it explicitly clear that the Highlight of the book is a really genuine and vulnerable discussion of identity, intersectionality, and what it is to be a young queer person and THAT was wonderful to read
the writing wasn’t there. it was almost painfully repetitive (quite a few times i’d have to jump back a page to see if i somehow was reading the same page again), the characters were hard for me to like or connect with (maybe it’s because i’m not totally the target audience i don’t think), and i just had a hard time really getting into it past a surface level.
there are some really stand out like 6/5 star moments but not enough for me to pull it above a 2
and i want to make it explicitly clear that the Highlight of the book is a really genuine and vulnerable discussion of identity, intersectionality, and what it is to be a young queer person and THAT was wonderful to read
ascmis's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - it was well-written, and i liked the discussions on sexuality and gender, but i think the author could have forgone the romance aspect.
neither declan/felix or ezra/felix is given enough depth to make the resolution (or the relationship development) believable. declan’s confession of love came WAY too early into the book, and his entire infatuation with felix felt like a ploy made for the sole purpose of having a love triangle in the book.
author should have just focused on ezra and felix.
neither declan/felix or ezra/felix is given enough depth to make the resolution (or the relationship development) believable. declan’s confession of love came WAY too early into the book, and his entire infatuation with felix felt like a ploy made for the sole purpose of having a love triangle in the book.
author should have just focused on ezra and felix.
13mcgrj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this!
I’m starting to enjoy more LGBTQ reads lately.
The self discovery in this was inspiring to read about!
I felt for the characters and the difficulties they were facing.
I liked seeing their HEA’s at the end of the book!
I’m starting to enjoy more LGBTQ reads lately.
The self discovery in this was inspiring to read about!
I felt for the characters and the difficulties they were facing.
I liked seeing their HEA’s at the end of the book!