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ellieellie16's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.0
girlbosslindsey's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
3.0
Asexuality representation slay. Abusive relationships representation. But also? I gotta be honest kinda bland.
dododenise's review
emotional
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
4.0
This book pleasantly surprised me. I went into this quite critically, since I had a lot of criticism about between perfect and real. Add to that the sad themes, which I don’t really enjoy. But the prospect of an ace mc got me here and I’m glad I read this!
The book beautifully illustrates what abusive relationships can look like and how different people cope with them. I was quickly attached to Arden and just wanted the best for her. Her slowly learn to understand what has happened and is happening was wonderfully developed. My heart ached for her as she continued to fall for a long time.
I also adore ace rep. It was done well. This book shows just one kind of being ace and just barely hints at more possibilities, but I think it’s fine. The book is valuable in the asexual sex repulsed representation that it gives.
I would have wished this book to go more into healing. Since it is already short, I think it would’ve been nice to add more of Arden and Jamie grow out of what happened to them. Their experiences will follow them for the rest of their life and finding healthy coping mechanisms takes time. Therefore, giving the healing theme more time would’ve been nice.
All in all I’m amazed with how much care this journey was told even with so little time. It didn’t feel rushed (until maybe the end) and allowed itself to sit in the moment and its emotions.
The book beautifully illustrates what abusive relationships can look like and how different people cope with them. I was quickly attached to Arden and just wanted the best for her. Her slowly learn to understand what has happened and is happening was wonderfully developed. My heart ached for her as she continued to fall for a long time.
I also adore ace rep. It was done well. This book shows just one kind of being ace and just barely hints at more possibilities, but I think it’s fine. The book is valuable in the asexual sex repulsed representation that it gives.
I would have wished this book to go more into healing. Since it is already short, I think it would’ve been nice to add more of Arden and Jamie grow out of what happened to them. Their experiences will follow them for the rest of their life and finding healthy coping mechanisms takes time. Therefore, giving the healing theme more time would’ve been nice.
All in all I’m amazed with how much care this journey was told even with so little time. It didn’t feel rushed (until maybe the end) and allowed itself to sit in the moment and its emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Child abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, and Transphobia
Minor: Self harm and Racism
sihah's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
yasharulz1010's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. My. Gosh. This books is so good. I loved the way it was written, I loved the characters, I love everything about it. As an asexual teen, I felt so represented by Arden. I have literally thought things that she said. I loved that she was an ace character who still felt romantical attraction because a everything so often asexual and aromantic get mixed up. I just loved it so much!
corvoid's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
mxbluet18's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
tense
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? No
5.0
Trigger warnings for Arden Grey include: abuse and mentions of self-harm.
☆
☆
In regard to representation in Arden Grey, there is an asexual lesbian main character. A trans male side character. A minor Latina character, and a minor Black character who is also asexual.
~
I picked this up after seeing a couple of reviews for it and reading the synopsis, and I got it from an independent queer bookstore. Probably the biggest factor in me picking it up was the fact that there is a trans male side character and an asexual lesbian main character. Even from just reading that it had those characters I felt a connection to it. And that's only become stronger as I read it and was introduced to the characters and saw their developing personalities. And while the queer elements of the story are something I enjoyed, there are other characters who drew my eye as well, ones who had just as rich a development and who I feel I know on a deeper level than that of characters.
~
I have so many feelings and emotions about this book, but O don't really have words to put any of it down. So I'll say this instead, while I can't really comment on how accurate the experiences of abusive relationships in the book are, what I will say is if you feel like something happening isn't right, firstly, tell someone about it, don't try to deal with it by yourself in silence. And secondly if you are able to, give the relationship space and yourself time to think and find out if those things are abusive, and get out in whatever way you can.
~
And on a less serious note, this is quite honestly one of the best books I've ever read, and definitely the best I've read this year.
☆
☆
In regard to representation in Arden Grey, there is an asexual lesbian main character. A trans male side character. A minor Latina character, and a minor Black character who is also asexual.
~
I picked this up after seeing a couple of reviews for it and reading the synopsis, and I got it from an independent queer bookstore. Probably the biggest factor in me picking it up was the fact that there is a trans male side character and an asexual lesbian main character. Even from just reading that it had those characters I felt a connection to it. And that's only become stronger as I read it and was introduced to the characters and saw their developing personalities. And while the queer elements of the story are something I enjoyed, there are other characters who drew my eye as well, ones who had just as rich a development and who I feel I know on a deeper level than that of characters.
~
I have so many feelings and emotions about this book, but O don't really have words to put any of it down. So I'll say this instead, while I can't really comment on how accurate the experiences of abusive relationships in the book are, what I will say is if you feel like something happening isn't right, firstly, tell someone about it, don't try to deal with it by yourself in silence. And secondly if you are able to, give the relationship space and yourself time to think and find out if those things are abusive, and get out in whatever way you can.
~
And on a less serious note, this is quite honestly one of the best books I've ever read, and definitely the best I've read this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Bullying
immerjones's review
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
soph_naughton's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
atvreads's review
4.0
Arden Grey hits all the emotional notes in a rolling gut punch of a book.
This novel deals with several abusive relationships, so be aware of the potential content!
Arden is sixteen and confused. Her mom abruptly leaves their family, her brother is staying out all night and drinking, and her Dad won’t talk about any of it. Topping this, her best friend, Jamie, a trans man, has his first girlfriend and Arden isn’t sure their relationship is the healthiest, especially when Jamie’s girlfriend won’t let them hang out anymore.
This novel is a coming of age story through and through, and it needs to live on shelves so it can find its readership with our students. Aro/Ace spec is the number one request I get from students, and I cannot wait to put this quiet gem in the hands of my kids.
This novel deals with several abusive relationships, so be aware of the potential content!
Arden is sixteen and confused. Her mom abruptly leaves their family, her brother is staying out all night and drinking, and her Dad won’t talk about any of it. Topping this, her best friend, Jamie, a trans man, has his first girlfriend and Arden isn’t sure their relationship is the healthiest, especially when Jamie’s girlfriend won’t let them hang out anymore.
This novel is a coming of age story through and through, and it needs to live on shelves so it can find its readership with our students. Aro/Ace spec is the number one request I get from students, and I cannot wait to put this quiet gem in the hands of my kids.