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orangeoverload's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book a few years ago when i was on holiday at the age of 14/15. I remember coming home every night to the cottage and running straight up the stairs to read a few more chapters. It was enchanting, the characters and plot were so realistic and the plot twist at the end was not at all expected. Brilliant overall!
amdame1's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Carl and Sylvie are neighbors and best friends. When they were little they would play together all the time; they even created their own world and kingdom for their make-believe adventures. Now that they are 14, they are still good friends but things are changing. Sylvie loves Carl and dreams of the day when he will kiss her - which he will inevitably do because they are going to get married some day! Well, that is what Sylvie believes anyway... Carl seems to have other ideas as he gets more involved with his new school and friend, Paul, who goes there.
***SPOILER*** ***SPOILER***
Carl is gay, but it takes Sylvie a really, really long time to figure that out. Realistic family reaction to the news.
Good choice for kids struggling with identity issues. Interesting characters, although plot is a bit predictable.
cadiva's review
4.0
I got this one from Beth a little bit ahead of the giveaway and I already knew I'd love it because I had inside knowledge of this pair
undomiel's review against another edition
2.0
I was not a huge fan of this novel, perhaps because I read it at a later age, and therefore the writing style was a bit too immature for me. A nice concept for a novel, however the book was perhaps rushed, and didn't have enough space for character and plot development, and so I feel the novel was not executed to its potential best.
elliew's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this book now reads a little basic/straightforward with how it tackles coming out and homophobia, but at the time LGBTQ+ representation in young adult books was probably almost nonexistent. a nice nostalgic read, but i wouldn't give it to teenagers now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Violence
homophobia is a main plot point, and there is a moderately-described instance of violence.fayh97's review against another edition
3.0
An easy to read novel for children. I like the fact Wilson focuses on real life issues that may be affecting her audience.
catastrowophe's review against another edition
3.0
this is probably my third? fourth? time reading this especially because my family owned a physical copy of this and i would periodically raid the shelves for something to read. and this is the first time i've read this in quite a few years, and the first time i've read this as someone who's in the lgbt+ community. i will say that i saw hints of carl's sexuality earlier on, and i connect with carl more? and also i'm just like, i didn't realise these characters are meant to be 13/14. why are they so obsessed with kissing and sex and drinking? (i just realized this book is called kiss haha oh my god i think that's also bc throughout the book kissing is an important thing both to sylvie, as a testament of her relationship with carl, and carl, especially him admitting he wants to kiss paul.) it's probably a culture thing haha but oh well. 13/14 just seems so young to me (i'm currently 18).
i read another review that said it wasn't handled well, especially how the girls kept making everything about them (even sylvie yes) and i have to say i agree. while i understand, because sylvie grew up believing that she and carl were meant to be, i wish miss jacqueline wilson could have given us an lbgt+ protagonist/narrator sooner; it makes sense for this book to revolve around how sylvie feels because she is the narrator and the main character, but in a sense she kind of objectifies carl? i like that miranda is supportive of carl (even though she's hellbent hoping that it's just a phase and carl would like her). i do think that just because miranda, this girl that carl's peers probably have a wank to, kissed carl in front of everyone else, doesn't mean the homophobic bullying goes away. doesn't mean carl won't have to face homophobia all around, even from his dad going "it's just a phase". well if 13-year-olds can be heterosexual then they can also be any other orientation, mick. pfft.
i still haven't read simon vs the homo sapien agenda yet, but could simon vs be considered a similar story from this perspective? hmm. much to think about.
i'm just rambling on and on now but i am somewhat glad i decided to reread this book, especially with this new perspective i now have. it's quite a bittersweet feeling, really, but i do applaud jacqueline wilson for writing this.
i read another review that said it wasn't handled well, especially how the girls kept making everything about them (even sylvie yes) and i have to say i agree. while i understand, because sylvie grew up believing that she and carl were meant to be, i wish miss jacqueline wilson could have given us an lbgt+ protagonist/narrator sooner; it makes sense for this book to revolve around how sylvie feels because she is the narrator and the main character, but in a sense she kind of objectifies carl? i like that miranda is supportive of carl (even though she's hellbent hoping that it's just a phase and carl would like her). i do think that just because miranda, this girl that carl's peers probably have a wank to, kissed carl in front of everyone else, doesn't mean the homophobic bullying goes away. doesn't mean carl won't have to face homophobia all around, even from his dad going "it's just a phase". well if 13-year-olds can be heterosexual then they can also be any other orientation, mick. pfft.
i still haven't read simon vs the homo sapien agenda yet, but could simon vs be considered a similar story from this perspective? hmm. much to think about.
i'm just rambling on and on now but i am somewhat glad i decided to reread this book, especially with this new perspective i now have. it's quite a bittersweet feeling, really, but i do applaud jacqueline wilson for writing this.
timbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
A little gory, so avoid if you don't like that.
This was a good read. I've read better thrillers but this is a good average one.
After reading this book I discovered that it was the 4th book in a series. Although it is completly readable on it's own, some parts about Johnny Mann's past will seem a little rushed. Presumably this would not be the case had I read the others first!
This was a good read. I've read better thrillers but this is a good average one.
After reading this book I discovered that it was the 4th book in a series. Although it is completly readable on it's own, some parts about Johnny Mann's past will seem a little rushed. Presumably this would not be the case had I read the others first!
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