Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

10 reviews

erikagibson126's review

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Car accident

Moderate: Drug abuse, Outing, Alcohol, Death, Confinement, Sexual content, Classism, Drug use, Murder, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Sexual violence, and Transphobia

viselik's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

 I adored every aspect of this book; it had me completely engrossed, making it a challenge to put down. The way the author crafted Aristotle's character and his growth felt incredibly genuine and organic. It was heartening to witness him mature and embrace his true self, especially in the touching plotline about discovering the truth about his brother. The way Ari's family came to terms with it and supported him throughout was truly heartwarming and endearing.

Dante's character was equally captivating, with his aloof and humorous demeanour, balanced by the love and care shown by his family. Throughout the book, Dante's development took some unexpected turns, which added to the depth of his character.

The gradual progression of their relationship from being so different to becoming close friends was undeniably heartwarming. Witnessing their individual growth and the way they supported each other was truly delightful. I couldn't help but adore how Dante fell for Ari first, while Ari himself was initially unaware of his feelings and even denied them. Watching him come to accept himself and embrace his emotions, with the help of his loving family, was incredibly sweet and made the eventual coming together of Dante and Aristotle all the more heartwarming. This book is a beautiful journey of self-discovery and love that left me with a warm and satisfied feeling by the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, War, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual violence, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Murder, Transphobia, Alcohol, and Drug use

Minor: Sexual content

schivakumaran's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

Adored this book to my core. Absolutely divine read. The characters feel so real and true and the honest portrayal of growing up into adulthood and the challenges young people face was artfully done. This book dealt with very heavy subjects in such a realistic and compassionate loving way. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Car accident, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Death, Cursing, Drug use, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Hate crime

idajoh's review

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• 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

3.0

At the beginning of the book I felt like I wasn't the intended audience. And then I really loved the second half of the book.

But the author is a transphobe so please do not support him<33 (I purchased my copy before I was aware of that)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Hate crime, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Transphobia, and War

Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Drug use, Murder, Homophobia, and Alcohol

simon_toast's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

I went to start this book expecting a simple coming of age romance. I was really wanting a book about trauma, sibling loss, and recovery. To my surprise I got just that. It was unexpected and gorgeous. The relationships between children and parents made me cry and the way it addressed memories and dreams warmed my heart. I am a library book person, but this will have to join my shelf. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Car accident, Violence, Alcohol, and Grief

Moderate: Drug abuse, War, Violence, and Homophobia

Minor: Transphobia, Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Addiction

mrdeadman's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder

Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Addiction, Alcohol, Racism, and Sexism

captain07's review

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective relaxing sad 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

radhikag's review against another edition

challenging 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

5.0

I don’t even know what to say except that I love this book and I am a mess right now. Crying happy, beautiful, hopeful tears. What a treat to read this book and get to know and love Ari & Dante. Will absolutely be reading the sequel 🥰

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, War, Mental illness, and Grief

Moderate: Car accident and Sexual content

Minor: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Transphobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Grief, and Sexual violence

izzybell's review

emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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

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Content Warnings

Minor: Transphobia and Sexual violence

scoti's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

I don't usually read YA, so unsure how to rate this. I found most of it fairly charming, but would warn new readers that in the last little bit of the book we're hit with some transphobia 

It probably (sadly) would have been less surprising to come across this dialogue in 2012 when it was published, but in 2021... oof. (yay for progress I guess?)

Anyway, it's there, it doesn't really serve a purpose IMO, and it really soured my final opinion of the book. I feel less inclined to be forgiving in this case because it's still consistently lauded as one of the best LGBTQA+ YA novels and it received the Stonewall Book Award.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Transphobia, Homophobia, Sexual violence, and Hate crime