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alexisaflop's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed how Bourne touched on some intersectionality and I think I would love this book more if it had a sequel.
Graphic: Sexual assault, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
kie111k's review
- 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
4.0
However I also thought that the message was very powerfully hinted at from the very beginning- and whilst this made it clear and presented it nicely, it also took away the chance of a deeper realisation for the characters; as it almost felt like we sort of watched them have these realisations from afar, rather than go through it with them. (if that makes any sense.)
Also I feel like Joni was given too much responsability as a character- like the whole plot of her being one of few 'truly awakened' kids was a very important part of the story, but I almost saw it as condescending to the other characters? in a way? that Joni knew everything and anything about this point of view so much so that she had the power to 'awaken' other kids. It sort of took away from the freeing aspects of the feminism movement that Joni didnt help Belle subtly at all and literally said "im going to awaken her". I dont know if this is unfounded but I just thought it kinda presented Joni as the person educating and gave her this weird power over her peers when in reality, though shes privy to the tricks of her society, she doesnt really have the ability (i would say) to force her view onto others even if it is objectivly right. I think id have preferred a slower, more subtle/built up realisation from Belle that came more from her understanding through experience and emotional change (helped by Joni!!) rather than being talked at, and having to accept a lecture that, from her point of view, was basically being forced on her. Belle went through some amazing character development and i think there was room for Joni to aswell where she may have lacked some come the end of the book.
saying that though, the book was lovely! I really did enjoy the unstable relationship dynamic between Joni and Belle that developed as the book went on, and how they kinda got to see the world from eachothers point of view near to the end. I also, despite my qualms with the context, really REALLY enjoyed Jonis long monolouge about beauty standards and the damning repetitive circle they create and suck women and girls into- and how applicable it is to modern society and social media.
The family background for both characters was also super interesting and i love the way that whilst they were so different, there were similar, and very in depth feelings and issues in the relationships with both the girls and their parents. Nothing can be perfect 100% of the time and I think Holly Bourne was successful in showing that through how Joni reacted to her mother and vice versa, and how Belle did with her mother and father.
Overall, great book! Would recomend perhaps to a reader who is slightly less versed in feminist literature as this book is very clear and solid with the message its aiming to get across and what is standing in the way of it in both this dystopia and oir modern world.
Graphic: Sexism and Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Fatphobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Homophobia
xavreadsbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Body shaming
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual violence, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, and Rape
Minor: Pedophilia
annabelreadsandwrites's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
Minor: Racism
amber_bookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Dysphoria, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexism
bookishstevie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Rape, Racism, and Sexism
olivia_b2509's review
- 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? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexism, Sexual violence, Dysphoria, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Fatphobia
leah08855's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Bullying, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
readswithelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Minor: Sexual harassment
rosiebethreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I also found some of the swaps counterproductive - calling p*rn “smut” for example I feel moralises romance that includes sex on page often coequally known by romance readers as, smut. I also am not completely on bored with the cause-and-effect message created of porn = teenagers to abuse one another it’s a bit video games make people violent.
Moreover, I would have loved to have seen a girl who sat somewhere in between a pretty and an objectionable - what happens when only some things are negotiated?
However saying all that - you could be so pretty is a page turner, the characters are engaging and I loved the friendship between Joni and belle and the mother daughter relationships. I also really loved its focus on education and how it is not a safe space for all girls.
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse