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platoniciris's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Murder, Transphobia, and Homophobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
Minor: Self harm, Cancer, and Domestic abuse
sarah984's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
I will say first off that I really liked Sam's relationship with their dad, and the way that emotions are described being interpreted through facial expressions and the general autistic point of view.
Every character that wasn't Sam or their dad was pretty one-note, though. I kept forgetting about Sky even though he was part of the core friend group, and it took me like half the book to realize Aidan and Dylan were two different guys. There were two different characters whose entire personality was "mean girl". The slang is really embarrassing (stop saying emoji!) and the constant brand name and meme references are already dated.
The mystery was also just really bad. The perpetrator is pretty easy to guess
Graphic: Hate crime and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Child death, Stalking, Ableism, Alcohol, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Minor: Police brutality, Toxic friendship, Racism, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Cancer, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Child abuse
bookstarbri'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? No
4.5
Nearly every character in this is amazing. Sam, Junius, Shep, Sky, Aiden, Margie, and even clueless Dylan are such strong characters. Even those who are minor and don't serve much to the plot are nice side characters. I also think that Junius Sylvester deserves the distinction of best parent in YA ever. He was an AMAZING father and such a stunning character. The bond between him and Sam was so clear from page one and it truly felt like he would do anything to make sure his child was safe. Onto Sam: when I think about my favorite book characters, I think Sam Sylvester will always have a spot on that list. They were a character that made me so indescribably happy. I wanted to fight for them and I wanted them to be joyful experience everything they deserved. They were so carefully developed and I just love Sam so much and the romance they ended up having in this story was sweet. And I always love good ace rep and this was GOOD ace rep!
My minor complaint was that sometimes I got a bit confused with the details of the case. Sometimes we were given facts all at once so it was a lot to keep up with at one time. I also wish we could've had a bit more regarding the threatening notes and who was responsible for them. We got a sentence at the end for who did it, but I wish we could've gotten a more developed why. And I also wish we could've gotten maybe just one more scene with Sam, Shep, Sky, and Aiden all together because I love their friendship so much. Overall, this book is wonderful and so necessary. I adore it and it has a special place in my heart.
Thank you to Maya MacGregor, Astra, and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Graphic: Bullying and Stalking
Moderate: Biphobia, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer
foreverinastory's review
- 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
The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester is a YA thriller about teenage Sam who is nonbinary (they/them pronouns). Sam is recovering from trauma and with their dad has moved to a new school that will hopefully be more understanding of Sam's gender and their autism. Sam ends up meeting some kids from the Queer club and makes a couple friends. But as they settle into their new house, they found out someone was murdered in it before they bought it.
Sam is intrigued and has to know more. With their new friends in tow, the three of them begin to investigate the murder. But things are getting weird, Sam finds threatening notes and sinister shadows the more they dig into the case. Are they onto something or are the notes unrelated?
Y'all I loved this book with my whole being. I need more books with neurodivergent and nonbinary MCs. The feeling of being seen like Sam made me feel is indescribable. I love them so much and I want to protect them and their dad at all costs.
I really loved the mystery part of this as well. It doesn't really ramp up until past 25% or so since Sam is busy trying to fit into school and get used to a new town. But I loved the investigation once it started. It was so gripping and I loved how I was kept guessing until the end.
There's also a little bit of romance in this book and it was so so sweet. I absolutely loved the relationship that developed!
Rep: white Autistic panromantic asexual nonbinary MC, adopted by an aroace Black dad, Latina sapphic female side character, various other queer side characters.
CWs: Bullying, panic attacks, biphobia/bimisia, homophobia/homomisia, transphobia/transmisia, grief, stalking, death, mental illness (anxiety), attempted murder. Moderate: murder, alcoholism (side character), cursing, violence, toxic friendship, suicidal thoughts. Minor: Cancer, domestic abuse, self harm, gaslighting, outing.
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Outing, and Self harm
nadjareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Stalking
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Outing