Reviews tagging 'Murder'

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

288 reviews

nervcorp's review

emotional 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? Yes

4.75

that entire book did not prepare me for those last 3 chapters. what the hell.

if you're looking to read this due to its large popularity. please do. i loved every minute with these two loser art nerds. you will love this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime and Homophobia

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Car accident

Minor: Transphobia and Murder

wiktoria_bojda's review

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and Violence

Minor: Murder, Transphobia, and War

rai_00's review

emotional lighthearted slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Murder

carrot2025's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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 can absolutely see why this book has so many awards and deserves to so many more. It was an incredible read with a lot of heartfelt moments that really showed the challenges of being young and realizing your gay. So many times I was left crying and feeling for the characters. Watching them struggle and change and grow. It was all amazing and I highly recommend it to everyone.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Hate crime

Moderate: Car accident

Minor: Toxic relationship and Death

I think this story is absolutely amazing at handling a lot of different triggering topics in a way that's respectful and is actually useful to the story.

I think the use of the Aristoles brother killing a transvestite was perfectly handled. It didn't go into too much detail and it gave a lot of context for why his partner were so hesitant to talk about Aristoles aunt being gay. A lot of the homophobia mentioned isn't too detailed but it really helps give context to the time period and gives an important insight into the characters and why they act the way they do.

mjadeh's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Car accident, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Alcohol, Animal death, and Cursing

Minor: Murder and Transphobia

mxdegroot's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I simultaneously loved and hated this book.

There's not much to say about Sáenz's writing style except that it has to suit you. The quick dialogue and fairly short sentences made for a fast paced read, but also a lack of character development. As much as I found myself relating to Ari, it was hard to really get into his head, and there was barely anything in the story itself that really hinted at his feelings for Dante.

Nonetheless, this was a beautiful book. Everyone had their flaws and learned from them, both Ari's and Dante's parents were flawed but loveable, and it was a very good portrayal of the type of teenage experience that is barely betrayed in any medium of media.

minor tw: transphobia
The one thing that did really bother me was the transvestite comment at the end. After the way homosexuality was handled all throughout the book, you'd think this would have been handled better.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Car accident

Moderate: Hate crime and Homophobia

Minor: Drug use, Murder, and Alcohol

vnelkelg's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Minor: Murder

embark19's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

This book was touching and genuine. It started a little slow for me but once I got into it, I adored the characters. I saw myself in this book and as it went on I realized how much I related to both Ari and Dante. Wonderful read for those who might be just coming to terms with who they are as a person. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Car accident, Death, Homophobia, Bullying, Murder, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail

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

packedjam's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.25

ough. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Hate crime, and Car accident

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Transphobia, and Medical content

Minor: War, Murder, Vomit, Drug use, Outing, and Alcohol