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michaelion's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It's been 3 years now since I've been a teen so I don't know what teens like anymore but this story came off really kiddish; except for when they talked about more adult things, then it felt weird and out of place. I remember talking about sex and kink and stuff before I was even in high school, but the rest of the tone of the book made me feel this story was written for kids around ages 9 to 13. It was in the teen section of my library, so that makes sense, but this book feels very pre-teen and not young adult.
Too many pop culture references. I had to google when Agents of Shield went off the air, which was surprisingly in 2020?! So that was interesting. Also referenced Glee twice. I should remove a star for that... I won't! But I should!!! Now, Riverdale on the other hand...
Too many pop culture references. I had to google when Agents of Shield went off the air, which was surprisingly in 2020?! So that was interesting. Also referenced Glee twice. I should remove a star for that... I won't! But I should!!! Now, Riverdale on the other hand...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Ableism, and Transphobia
therainbowshelf's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I enjoyed this book and recommend giving it a read despite my low rating. It was a fun read and I never disliked it. The characters were sweet, and the book was very much a feel-good story. It captured the feeling of being an LGBTQ teen and being welcomed into your first LGBTQ+ friend group and safe space. The cast was delightfully representative, with trans characters, nonbinary characters, characters with diverse sexualities, Asian American and black characters, and autistic characters. I hope to see more work from this author in the future!
I have this book a low rating for a few reasons (and I should note that I don't always enjoy general fiction, and absolutely hated YA general fiction when I was a teenager, so some of these things might not bother someone who enjoys this genre): The characters felt underdeveloped. The way characters talked about LGBTQ+ issues established an expectation that everyone is familiar with LGBTQ+ terms and experiences, which may feel alienating for anyone (LGBTQ+ and others) not familiar with it. The conversations often felt awkward and forced. The main character's identity exploration seemed to go from resistant to transitioned way too quickly for the complex feelings that had been established early on. The fight in the music room and the outcome of the fight felt really contrived to me. The obsession the main character had over a crush made the sudden developments at the end of the book feel forced and super weird. Everyone's reactions to the casting of the play felt super weird, and nothing wound up happening with the play, so the whole situation felt like it had a lot of potential and fizzled.
I have this book a low rating for a few reasons (and I should note that I don't always enjoy general fiction, and absolutely hated YA general fiction when I was a teenager, so some of these things might not bother someone who enjoys this genre): The characters felt underdeveloped. The way characters talked about LGBTQ+ issues established an expectation that everyone is familiar with LGBTQ+ terms and experiences, which may feel alienating for anyone (LGBTQ+ and others) not familiar with it. The conversations often felt awkward and forced. The main character's identity exploration seemed to go from resistant to transitioned way too quickly for the complex feelings that had been established early on. The fight in the music room and the outcome of the fight felt really contrived to me. The obsession the main character had over a crush made the sudden developments at the end of the book feel forced and super weird. Everyone's reactions to the casting of the play felt super weird, and nothing wound up happening with the play, so the whole situation felt like it had a lot of potential and fizzled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
Moderate: Body shaming, Ableism, and Sexism
Minor: Fatphobia
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