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tmledvina's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's wholly uncomfortable at times, because it digs very deeply into the AIDS crisis of the 1980's & 90's. Because it shows the horrible and rampant racism and homophobia of the early 90's America. Because it doesn't shy away from showing the ugly truth.
I was viscerally uncomfortable at certain plot points in this book, not because they were poorly handled, but because they were expertly done. They were meant to make you uncomfortable.
I didn't expect that coming into this book, but god I am so glad I got it. A great read.
Only losing a .5 star because there were a few weird jumps in the narrative that felt like whiplash, but really they were easy enough to ignore.
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Outing, Violence, Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, Murder, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Deadnaming
goldenlake's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Terminal illness, Bullying, Chronic illness, Alcohol, and Homophobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Drug use, Religious bigotry, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, War, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Outing, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Biphobia
bookishpriest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Religious bigotry, Racism, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Outing, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Transphobia, Murder, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, and Classism
tiredcath'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
5.0
From the start, I was completely enchanted by this book. Andy Mientus has a fantastic voice, his writing style is gripping and honest. Each character has a unique voice and story to tell, all intertwining with each other with ease. Fraternity quickly climbed up my favorite reads of this year within minutes of reading.
Fraternity takes on many hats; classism, occults, the AIDs crisis, sexuality, bullying, homophobia, and racism- I could go on but won't for the sake of remaining spoiler free. The point is as interesting as the plot is, what's going on in between really made me love this story. The first half of the novel is much lighter in comparison to the second. Mientus paints the picture of the anxiety and fear of that time period without dreading the reader, as much as he shows pain, he shows joy. There's an especially beautiful part in one of Daniel's chapters that really hits that feeling home.
There's some surprise body horror, touching moments, loads of mystery, and gorgeously frightening imagery. Mientus knew what kind of story he wanted to tell and he told that story perfectly. Zooey, Daniel, Leo, and Steven will stay with me for a long time. I cannot praise this book enough. Cannot praise Andy Mientus' writing enough. I will be first in line for whatever he plans next.
About the audiobook: I was so pleased to hear all three boys have different narrators. Each of them gave the characters life. If you're planning on reading this I really recommend the audiobook.
Queer horror is such an important genre, for so many reasons but mostly so stories like these can be told.
Thank you, NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Homophobia, Outing, Bullying, Sexual assault, and Blood