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lilyrooke's review
3.0
Arden Grey is a novel about different kinds of abusive relationships, as well as the strength of family and friendships. Following her parents' separation, Arden is depressed and coming to accept herself as being on the asexual spectrum. When her best and only friend Jamie seemingly abandons her for his new girlfriend, Arden is left to negotiate multiple losses, and try to manage the grief of abandonment.
I thought the experience of gaslighting in the novel was done extremely well, it was very unsettling to read. While the novel is quiet and somewhat meandering, and it's difficult to explain the plot exactly, the story is more focused on exploring the fallout of Arden's emotional losses, and how she comes to terms with these. I was very happy to see such a supportive father, although I do wish we had more of Garrett's story, and more time was dedicated to understanding what went on between him and their mother. I wish more time had been dedicated to the dynamics between Arden, Garrett and their mother, because I think it would be easy for readers to lack appropriate sympathy for Arden, unless they understood more about the interplay of familial abuse before reading. While I was happy to see Arden access therapy, I wish we had seen her breakthroughs on the page, as cutting away at this point in the story felt to me as though we were missing a big chunk of her character arc development.
Definitely worth a read!
I thought the experience of gaslighting in the novel was done extremely well, it was very unsettling to read. While the novel is quiet and somewhat meandering, and it's difficult to explain the plot exactly, the story is more focused on exploring the fallout of Arden's emotional losses, and how she comes to terms with these. I was very happy to see such a supportive father, although I do wish we had more of Garrett's story, and more time was dedicated to understanding what went on between him and their mother. I wish more time had been dedicated to the dynamics between Arden, Garrett and their mother, because I think it would be easy for readers to lack appropriate sympathy for Arden, unless they understood more about the interplay of familial abuse before reading. While I was happy to see Arden access therapy, I wish we had seen her breakthroughs on the page, as cutting away at this point in the story felt to me as though we were missing a big chunk of her character arc development.
Definitely worth a read!
greysonk's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
lilibetbombshell's review
4.0
Real Rating: 3.5 / 5 Stars
(This title is being reviewed as part of my backlog of ARC reads.)
Qualifying Personal Statement: While I know some demisexual and asexual people, I myself am not asexual and do not claim to speak for the aro/ace community. I reward this book as part of my effort to read OwnVoices titles with LGBT+ protagonists since I am part of the LGBT+ community myself and feel comfortable identifying with main characters who are LGBT+.
Asexuality is one of those letters in the LGBT+ spectrum people have a hard time understanding. Even though I know people who are aromantic, asexual, and demisexual, I still have issues from time to time wrapping my head around what it must feel like to never think about sex or to have the idea of sex make someone feel extremely uncomfortable. This book does an incredible job of letting us see through Arden’s (our titular character and the protagonist) eyes how she views her asexuality (of which she’s not 100% sure of but she’s getting there) and what asexuality means and feels like for her. (It should be said, however, that asexuality doesn’t always feel the same way to every ace person.) It also does an even better job of showing us how uncomfortable the world is to navigate as a teenager when almost every other teenager (including your bestie) is soaked in juvenile humor and hormones.
What it doesn’t do such a good job at is the family angle. There’s a huge thread running through this book of abandonment, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence due to Arden’s mom leaving her, her brother, and her father at the beginning of the book, but I didn’t feel as if the family itself was integrated as well into the book as her bestie or the other ties she makes in the book are. I also felt as if the toxic relationship, abuse, and harassment angles could’ve (and maybe even should’ve) been explored a bit more.
All in all, I think it’s a great YA read in the OwnVoices category and if you feel as if you might be asexual you really should pick it up. You might find some kinship here.
Thanks to NetGalley, ABRAMS Kids, and Amulet Books for granting me access to this book.
(This title is being reviewed as part of my backlog of ARC reads.)
Qualifying Personal Statement: While I know some demisexual and asexual people, I myself am not asexual and do not claim to speak for the aro/ace community. I reward this book as part of my effort to read OwnVoices titles with LGBT+ protagonists since I am part of the LGBT+ community myself and feel comfortable identifying with main characters who are LGBT+.
Asexuality is one of those letters in the LGBT+ spectrum people have a hard time understanding. Even though I know people who are aromantic, asexual, and demisexual, I still have issues from time to time wrapping my head around what it must feel like to never think about sex or to have the idea of sex make someone feel extremely uncomfortable. This book does an incredible job of letting us see through Arden’s (our titular character and the protagonist) eyes how she views her asexuality (of which she’s not 100% sure of but she’s getting there) and what asexuality means and feels like for her. (It should be said, however, that asexuality doesn’t always feel the same way to every ace person.) It also does an even better job of showing us how uncomfortable the world is to navigate as a teenager when almost every other teenager (including your bestie) is soaked in juvenile humor and hormones.
What it doesn’t do such a good job at is the family angle. There’s a huge thread running through this book of abandonment, low self-esteem, and low self-confidence due to Arden’s mom leaving her, her brother, and her father at the beginning of the book, but I didn’t feel as if the family itself was integrated as well into the book as her bestie or the other ties she makes in the book are. I also felt as if the toxic relationship, abuse, and harassment angles could’ve (and maybe even should’ve) been explored a bit more.
All in all, I think it’s a great YA read in the OwnVoices category and if you feel as if you might be asexual you really should pick it up. You might find some kinship here.
Thanks to NetGalley, ABRAMS Kids, and Amulet Books for granting me access to this book.
jessicaann's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Acephobia/Arophobia
aknglvsbl's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
averyvmead's review
3.0
Arden Gray is a thoughtful, heartfelt story about a girl shrinking away from and eventually facing down the hardships that come with relationships. At the start of the story, Arden's mother has been gone from her family for a few months, and as the novel progresses, readers start to see and understand that perhaps Arden's mother was more than just critical.
As Arden is coming to terms with the dynamic with her mother, she is also struggling to maintain a friendship with her best friend Jamie, a trans boy who has recently gotten into his first real romantic relationship. And if that isn't enough, Arden is also trying to figure out what it means to be asexual in a world and at a time when everyone expects otherwise.
The first half of Arden Grey is pretty slow and Arden as a narrator is difficult to fully grasp. She's so depressed and numb and withdrawn that I found it hard to connect to her (like the other characters in the book). That's a testament to the author's skills in terms of characterization, but it did take me far too long to become invested in the story. There also isn't much that "happens" in the first half. Then the second half is just constant changes and events, one after another. I wish there had been a little less exposition at the front half, because overall, the book is fairly short. It was 55% over before real movement started to occur.
I would still recommend this for some library collections, particularly if you're looking to expand your aro/ace representation. There is also a lot about relationship dynamics, abuse, control and power that might be really helpful for folks to read who are having trouble recognizing and identifying that in their lives, particularly because the relationship issues Arden faces (specifically with her mom) don't scream stereotypical abusive dynamics. However, I would only put this book in the hands of dedicated readers who stick out books even if they're not connecting for a while.
As Arden is coming to terms with the dynamic with her mother, she is also struggling to maintain a friendship with her best friend Jamie, a trans boy who has recently gotten into his first real romantic relationship. And if that isn't enough, Arden is also trying to figure out what it means to be asexual in a world and at a time when everyone expects otherwise.
The first half of Arden Grey is pretty slow and Arden as a narrator is difficult to fully grasp. She's so depressed and numb and withdrawn that I found it hard to connect to her (like the other characters in the book). That's a testament to the author's skills in terms of characterization, but it did take me far too long to become invested in the story. There also isn't much that "happens" in the first half. Then the second half is just constant changes and events, one after another. I wish there had been a little less exposition at the front half, because overall, the book is fairly short. It was 55% over before real movement started to occur.
I would still recommend this for some library collections, particularly if you're looking to expand your aro/ace representation. There is also a lot about relationship dynamics, abuse, control and power that might be really helpful for folks to read who are having trouble recognizing and identifying that in their lives, particularly because the relationship issues Arden faces (specifically with her mom) don't scream stereotypical abusive dynamics. However, I would only put this book in the hands of dedicated readers who stick out books even if they're not connecting for a while.
kris7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
lgbtrepinbooks's review
5.0
Trigger Warnings: Separation, needles, depression, body dysphoria, alcohol, underage drinking, throwing up, cursing, sex, divorce, parental abandonment, cutting, suicidal behavior, coming out, abusive relationships, bullying
Representation: Trans, Lesbian, Testosterone, Mental health: depression, Asexual, Bisexual
Arden Grey is the story of high schooler, Arden, who is struggling. Her mother’s recent leave is the white elephant in the house; at school, she is struggling with bullying; and personally, she is unsure of her sexuality. While Arden dives deeper into her love for photography, her best friend starts a new relationship, which adds another stressor to her already busy life.
This eARC was provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great book! It is a refreshing YA book and I really loved this story! I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s perspective of so many topics! I felt they handled the topic of abusive relationships very well and appreciated the resources included at the end of the book!
I have been in a slump with YA books lately and really appreciate that this story is YA but the characters feel much older. Arden is a typical teen who is struggling to find her way and makes mistakes along the way. She didn’t feel whiny though, which I know is a characteristic of teens so I can’t critique other characters for being that way, but I liked her journey through the story and her view of the world. I also enjoyed the development of the other characters as well. I liked the array of responses to the family situation, as well as Arden’s strength with Jamie’s relationship struggles. Overall, I really loved this story! It’s an easy read with a great pace.
Representation: Trans, Lesbian, Testosterone, Mental health: depression, Asexual, Bisexual
Arden Grey is the story of high schooler, Arden, who is struggling. Her mother’s recent leave is the white elephant in the house; at school, she is struggling with bullying; and personally, she is unsure of her sexuality. While Arden dives deeper into her love for photography, her best friend starts a new relationship, which adds another stressor to her already busy life.
This eARC was provided by the publisher via edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great book! It is a refreshing YA book and I really loved this story! I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s perspective of so many topics! I felt they handled the topic of abusive relationships very well and appreciated the resources included at the end of the book!
I have been in a slump with YA books lately and really appreciate that this story is YA but the characters feel much older. Arden is a typical teen who is struggling to find her way and makes mistakes along the way. She didn’t feel whiny though, which I know is a characteristic of teens so I can’t critique other characters for being that way, but I liked her journey through the story and her view of the world. I also enjoyed the development of the other characters as well. I liked the array of responses to the family situation, as well as Arden’s strength with Jamie’s relationship struggles. Overall, I really loved this story! It’s an easy read with a great pace.
elleisntabell's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Ray Stoeve could write anything and I would eat that shit up.
Not surprised this was so good, but jeez.... it was good.
All the characters in this book deserve a hug. Except for Arden's mom and Caroline lol
Not surprised this was so good, but jeez.... it was good.
All the characters in this book deserve a hug. Except for Arden's mom and Caroline lol