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bibliophile80's review
5.0
Listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Top-notch narration, beautifully written, moving story, and complex characters. I wish I could read it again for the first time.
futurama1979's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I read this book for my MG and YA class. This is also my second time reading it.
And that being said, I'm so grateful to that class for giving me the excuse to reread this. It's sad, but I probably wouldn't have ever picked it up again had I not been assigned it. I still love every single thing about this book. I read it for the first time when I was a little fifteen year old guy trying to find myself in media. Then, this book gave me that.
Now, I can love it for that and respect it for every single other thing it did. This book is impeccably crafted. Every single thread is tied up but not hurried, every single relationship is complex and well-written, and it's narrated in a beautifully done voice and by a fantastically crafted character. There isn't a single bad thing to say about this.
And that being said, I'm so grateful to that class for giving me the excuse to reread this. It's sad, but I probably wouldn't have ever picked it up again had I not been assigned it. I still love every single thing about this book. I read it for the first time when I was a little fifteen year old guy trying to find myself in media. Then, this book gave me that.
Now, I can love it for that and respect it for every single other thing it did. This book is impeccably crafted. Every single thread is tied up but not hurried, every single relationship is complex and well-written, and it's narrated in a beautifully done voice and by a fantastically crafted character. There isn't a single bad thing to say about this.
faeriesparks's review against another edition
3.0
I can't believe I finally finished this audiobook. I thought I'd never do it.
I enjoyed this but it didn't give me that certain punch in the heart like it did with so many other people. Part of that is probably that it took me over two months to listen to this. I might reread this in actual book format some time in the future.
Dante is a sweet cinnamon roll and I love him so much.
The family aspect in this book was wonderful.
Overall I can appreciate that this was a fantastic book but it might not have been the book for me. Or the format.
I enjoyed this but it didn't give me that certain punch in the heart like it did with so many other people. Part of that is probably that it took me over two months to listen to this. I might reread this in actual book format some time in the future.
Dante is a sweet cinnamon roll and I love him so much.
The family aspect in this book was wonderful.
Overall I can appreciate that this was a fantastic book but it might not have been the book for me. Or the format.
lotusgreenleaf's review
5.0
ive wanted to read this book for months, and I finally listened to the audiobook after scrolling through the ya lgbtq+ audiobooks on libby for like 30 minutes lol
I LOVED IT!!! it was read by Lin Manuel Miranda, and it was really silly when ari said he didn't want to study alexander hamilton lol
I cant wait to read the sequel!!
I LOVED IT!!! it was read by Lin Manuel Miranda, and it was really silly when ari said he didn't want to study alexander hamilton lol
I cant wait to read the sequel!!
_pauline's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
3.75-4 stars mostly for the parents/adults
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Medical content, and Violence
Minor: Murder, Transphobia, and Drug use
meh697's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
It's a beautifully written and poetic story! I was rooting for Ari and Dante the entire book 🫶🏻
leevee123's review
4.0
this book hurt and healed my heart at the same time. as someone currently feeling a little lost abt their own place in the universe, i appreciate being able to read abt these two boys try to find theirs
emselilly's review
5.0
OH MY GOSH THIS BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFUL.
Not gunna lie, it took me about 4 attempts to get into it. It seemed so pretentious at the beginning but like... once I got it I GOT it you know?? And then I ended up reading the book in like 2 sittings omg it's so beautiful.
I love the themes explored in this book and they're explored with such beautiful language. I love the theme of teenage relationships with parents, this book perfectly captures the complexity. For some reason the quote really stood out to me "is it normal for a 15 year old boy to love his mother?". And the themes of class and identity and just ughghgghgh I think it was so well written. The transition from confused 15 year old boy to less confused 16 year old almost-man is so smooth . Like so many books attempt this transition and it's jolty and unnatural but I really grew with Ari in this book!!!!!
Not gunna lie, it took me about 4 attempts to get into it. It seemed so pretentious at the beginning but like... once I got it I GOT it you know?? And then I ended up reading the book in like 2 sittings omg it's so beautiful.
I love the themes explored in this book and they're explored with such beautiful language. I love the theme of teenage relationships with parents, this book perfectly captures the complexity. For some reason the quote really stood out to me "is it normal for a 15 year old boy to love his mother?". And the themes of class and identity and just ughghgghgh I think it was so well written. The transition from confused 15 year old boy to less confused 16 year old almost-man is so smooth . Like so many books attempt this transition and it's jolty and unnatural but I really grew with Ari in this book!!!!!