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bookishmillennial's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
I adore Robin Gow !!! This is only about ~120 pages but it was full of teenage angst, introspection, and discovery. Two teenage boys start their journey of figuring out their trans identities, and they come across two soldiers, who are named Oliver & Aaron, so they adopt those names! Aaron moves away so they navigate being long-distance on top of so much identity searching.
Robin actually grew up in Kutztown, the town where Oliver & Aaron's story begins, which I thought was so neat. Robin was inspired by the fact that women dressed as men to be soldiers to be part of the Revolution, and that many of them went on to live as men after the war. Robin wants to remind us that trans and genderqueer or nonbinary folks have always existed in history, but it was just up to whomever was telling the stories and documenting this afterward (which we know of course has been predominantly cishet white men). They also provide a great further reading list at the very end, on trans*, gender-nonconforming, and the two-spirit people's history.
I adore Robin Gow !!! This is only about ~120 pages but it was full of teenage angst, introspection, and discovery. Two teenage boys start their journey of figuring out their trans identities, and they come across two soldiers, who are named Oliver & Aaron, so they adopt those names! Aaron moves away so they navigate being long-distance on top of so much identity searching.
Robin actually grew up in Kutztown, the town where Oliver & Aaron's story begins, which I thought was so neat. Robin was inspired by the fact that women dressed as men to be soldiers to be part of the Revolution, and that many of them went on to live as men after the war. Robin wants to remind us that trans and genderqueer or nonbinary folks have always existed in history, but it was just up to whomever was telling the stories and documenting this afterward (which we know of course has been predominantly cishet white men). They also provide a great further reading list at the very end, on trans*, gender-nonconforming, and the two-spirit people's history.
"Really, I just thought the group
might make me feel even more weird and lonely
and like I didn't belong anywhere.
It was totally not any of those things
which was fucking refreshing. I didn't know
queer groups like Spectrum existed.
I've learned so freaking much from my friends,
and I'm not the only Latino for once!
I know it sounds selfish
but I don't think it really is selfish
to want to feel
like a family
It makes me think about
how much more I would like history class
if we talked more about queer people
and people of color
and people with disabilities
and people with different religious backgrounds
instead of just teaching about them
as side facts in a white guy's history.
What would a class about
the Revolution look like
thinking about those groups?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, and Sexual content
astrangewind's review
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am speechless. A Million Quiet Revolutions is the book I wish I'd had as a teenager, or when I wasn't sure if I was trans, or when I felt alone because no one understood or saw me as a man.
I thought that the "verse" aspect of the novel would be awkward, but it's not. The poetry is far from complicated or intense; it serves to move the plot forward gently. Robin's imagery has always been soft and real, and the imagery in this book is no exception.
The characters felt real to me. I saw myself in them, being unsure and confused and scared, and loving each other all the same.
We need more stories like this, of trans people being in love, where no one dies and everything is looking up at the end. Queer people deserve stories like this. I think every queer person should read this book.
I thought that the "verse" aspect of the novel would be awkward, but it's not. The poetry is far from complicated or intense; it serves to move the plot forward gently. Robin's imagery has always been soft and real, and the imagery in this book is no exception.
The characters felt real to me. I saw myself in them, being unsure and confused and scared, and loving each other all the same.
We need more stories like this, of trans people being in love, where no one dies and everything is looking up at the end. Queer people deserve stories like this. I think every queer person should read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Transphobia, Outing, and Deadnaming
averyprettyboy's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
Moderate: Dysphoria, Religious bigotry, and Sexual assault
Minor: Pedophilia, Antisemitism, and Sexual content
pixeluce's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Sexual content
caseythereader's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Thanks to FSG Young Readers for the free copy of this book.
- My official review of A MILLION QUIET REVOLUTIONS is as follows: 😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️
- Seriously, this book is so good. It’s heartbreaking but also hopeful. I wanted to hug Aaron and Oliver so tightly.
- I love how this book talks about how queer people and people of color have been simply wiped from so much of our history, and how empowering it can be to find yourself in the past, or to write yourself into history.
- My official review of A MILLION QUIET REVOLUTIONS is as follows: 😭❤️😭❤️😭❤️
- Seriously, this book is so good. It’s heartbreaking but also hopeful. I wanted to hug Aaron and Oliver so tightly.
- I love how this book talks about how queer people and people of color have been simply wiped from so much of our history, and how empowering it can be to find yourself in the past, or to write yourself into history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Cursing, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault
moonyreadsbystarlight's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This speaks beautifully about trans love and the importance of being able to see yourself in history.
Told through poems, this YA romance focuses on two teens, Aaron and Oliver, who are long time best friends and secretly dating. Both are coming to understand their trans identities and by digging further into Revolutionary War history, may have found trans soldiers who had fallen in love. They are thrown for another loop when Aaron moves away, and they decide to exchange letters instead of texts in honor of their revolutionary namesakes.
This is about first love, growing up, and contending with identity and history. I was a little concerned that this might dip into the ahistorical patriotic fevor that so often surrounds the founding of this country, but I was pleasantly suprised that there was some nuance and discussion about some of the issues (particularly through the Puerto Rican MC, Aaron).
There were some small parts that I could, perhaps, critique but over all, I really loved this. The descriptions of the love and tenderness in this story absolutely made me cry in the best way. And there were so many details about transness (some of which were different for each character) that I think were well done and important.
Told through poems, this YA romance focuses on two teens, Aaron and Oliver, who are long time best friends and secretly dating. Both are coming to understand their trans identities and by digging further into Revolutionary War history, may have found trans soldiers who had fallen in love. They are thrown for another loop when Aaron moves away, and they decide to exchange letters instead of texts in honor of their revolutionary namesakes.
This is about first love, growing up, and contending with identity and history. I was a little concerned that this might dip into the ahistorical patriotic fevor that so often surrounds the founding of this country, but I was pleasantly suprised that there was some nuance and discussion about some of the issues (particularly through the Puerto Rican MC, Aaron).
There were some small parts that I could, perhaps, critique but over all, I really loved this. The descriptions of the love and tenderness in this story absolutely made me cry in the best way. And there were so many details about transness (some of which were different for each character) that I think were well done and important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Dysphoria, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and War
kelsreadsthings's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
i literally loved this book so much...i wish it was longer bc the ending felt slightly rushed but did i tear up? absolutely. i feel like i need to own and annotate this book. it's so beautifully written. i will be picking up whatever robin gow writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Transphobia
elwirax's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.0
Rep- trans, queer and hispanic MC, trans queer and Jewish MC, mentions of non-binary character, mention of lesbian couple, Black side character.
"I see your old name like a moth, dusty-winged and glowing. The name escapes out the open window and into the soupy August night, into forever."
A Million Quiet Revolutions was a great exploration of identity, love and rewriting queer people back into history. It was very touching to see Aaron and Oliver find and accept themselves and I love that this novel ended happily (it is all too often that queer and trans stories end in tragedy). There were many poetic and beautiful lines throughout. While the format didn't always work for me in terms of strong characterisation, it did enough to illustrate authentic characters and struggles. I enjoyed the main themes of identity, family bonds, religious hypocrisy and reclaiming history that worked together to really bring the story to life. There was also a further reading list at the end which I found to be a great addition on where to continue learning about trans and queer history.
There were some questionable choices that didn't really work for me such as having sex in a cemetery and the obsession/ romanticisation of war. Admittedly, the re-enactment weren't really my thing either. I understand the importance and symbolic meanings of these things in the novel and appreciate what was trying to be communicated but the execution wasn't my thing.
Overall, this was undoubtedly an important book particularly for trans and gender non conforming folk who get to see themselves represented. The war plot itself didn't really work for me but the representation and strong themes were great.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Deadnaming
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, and War
Minor: Sexual content
foreverinastory's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Thank you to Pride Book Tours and Fierce Reads for a finished copy in exchange for an honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own.
I am very emotional after reading this.
A Million Quiet Revolutions is a YA contemporary novel in verse that follows the journey of two trans boys who are best friends and fall in love with each other. When they find the story of two trans men in the Revolutionary war, they adopt their names: Aaron and Oliver. Just as they feel like their relationship is blossoming, Aaron is forced to move away. The two continue to write letters to each other and cling to the hope of love, identity and finding their place in history.
This book broke me. I am a void after reading this heartbreaking and breathtaking story of two trans boys in love. I loved how much these two boys cared for each other. I loved the exploration of queer culture, Latine culture and Jewish culture that we got in this novel. Aaron and Oliver's journeys to acceptance are different for them both, but each was powerful.
I loved watching Aaron find a community for himself, including other queer Latine people. I loved seeing Oliver dive deeper into history and finding stories of queer heroes. Oliver's home life is much more accepting and I loved how easily his parents supported him. Aaron has a tougher time, but the way his relationship with his older brother, Jose, is explored was amazing. I loved seeing these two open up to each other and how Jose was always willing to help Aaron if that's what he wanted.
Overall, this was a moving and evocative story and I loved it with my whole heart.
Jewish gay trans male MC, Puerto Rican Christian gay trans male MC, Latine queer nonbinary side character, Puerto Rican cishet side characters, various queer side characters, Black male side character.
CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, transphobia/transmisia, deadnaming, misgendering. Moderate: misogyny, consensual sexual content, sexual assault, rape, sexual violence, religious bigotry, dysphoria. Minor: Antisemitism.
I am very emotional after reading this.
A Million Quiet Revolutions is a YA contemporary novel in verse that follows the journey of two trans boys who are best friends and fall in love with each other. When they find the story of two trans men in the Revolutionary war, they adopt their names: Aaron and Oliver. Just as they feel like their relationship is blossoming, Aaron is forced to move away. The two continue to write letters to each other and cling to the hope of love, identity and finding their place in history.
This book broke me. I am a void after reading this heartbreaking and breathtaking story of two trans boys in love. I loved how much these two boys cared for each other. I loved the exploration of queer culture, Latine culture and Jewish culture that we got in this novel. Aaron and Oliver's journeys to acceptance are different for them both, but each was powerful.
I loved watching Aaron find a community for himself, including other queer Latine people. I loved seeing Oliver dive deeper into history and finding stories of queer heroes. Oliver's home life is much more accepting and I loved how easily his parents supported him. Aaron has a tougher time, but the way his relationship with his older brother, Jose, is explored was amazing. I loved seeing these two open up to each other and how Jose was always willing to help Aaron if that's what he wanted.
Overall, this was a moving and evocative story and I loved it with my whole heart.
Jewish gay trans male MC, Puerto Rican Christian gay trans male MC, Latine queer nonbinary side character, Puerto Rican cishet side characters, various queer side characters, Black male side character.
CWs: Homophobia/homomisia, transphobia/transmisia, deadnaming, misgendering. Moderate: misogyny, consensual sexual content, sexual assault, rape, sexual violence, religious bigotry, dysphoria. Minor: Antisemitism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Rape, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Dysphoria, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Antisemitism
criticalgayze's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
My thanks to the publisher, FSG Young Readers/Fierce Reads, and Netgalley for early access to this title in exchange for review consideration.
This is such a powerful book that I think is a must-have for high school classroom libraries.
At first, I thought that the poems in this novel-in-verse were a little too narrative, but they grew on me over time. I do think some pieces are stronger than others, but I think they also build a solid narrative whole.
I really like that the author uses side of the page as a means to delineate the two narrative voices, instead of poem style or structure. This allows the author to play a little more and creates an extra intensity in the pieces. Formatting WAS a little interesting here, and I will be interested to see the final form of the novel when it drops in print next week. (I will be picking up a physical copy, which is very rare for me with eARCs.)
I do think the ending does fizzle out a little, but it is a minor quibble with what is otherwise a very strong piece.
Quotes:
I see your old name like a moth, dusty-winged and glowing. The name escapes out the open window and into the soupy August night into forever.
I hate the idea that war could be a game, but I love when you win.
This is such a powerful book that I think is a must-have for high school classroom libraries.
At first, I thought that the poems in this novel-in-verse were a little too narrative, but they grew on me over time. I do think some pieces are stronger than others, but I think they also build a solid narrative whole.
I really like that the author uses side of the page as a means to delineate the two narrative voices, instead of poem style or structure. This allows the author to play a little more and creates an extra intensity in the pieces. Formatting WAS a little interesting here, and I will be interested to see the final form of the novel when it drops in print next week. (I will be picking up a physical copy, which is very rare for me with eARCs.)
I do think the ending does fizzle out a little, but it is a minor quibble with what is otherwise a very strong piece.
Quotes:
I see your old name like a moth, dusty-winged and glowing. The name escapes out the open window and into the soupy August night into forever.
I hate the idea that war could be a game, but I love when you win.
I search trans, the prefix and the dictionary says the word can mean “across” and “beyond” and “through” and “changing thoroughly” all of which are things lots of people in high school seem to be but especially “changing thoroughly.”
I’m really thankful for that pin— for the symbols we have to show other queer people where we are.
It’s customary that first-time reenactors die first so our death was predetermined but it still feels heavy.
I have such a body.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
Moderate: Homophobia and Outing
Minor: Child abuse and Sexual content