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lanawils's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
wenwanzhao's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The use of two timelines to tell this story definitely made it more interesting. The ending was a bit unsatisfying but overall it was a good read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Outing
angelicathebookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Blood
jessaboohoo's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
irisheyz77's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
kendrabetweenthelines's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Blood
danielghurst's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Be Dazzled tells the story of a crafty cosplayer who desperately wants to win a competition to show up his ex-boyfriend and finally prove himself to his artist mother. I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Ryan La Sala in audiobook form, as narrated by Pete Cross. The dual timelines in this book are expertly woven together to build suspense and maintain narrative drive. The story is gripping from the start. The characters feel believable and likable with all their flaws. It's a win all around!
While the cosplaying, crafting, and convention culture aspects of the story might be a turn-off to some, I hope people will give this book a chance. At every moment, we're given just enough information to understand what's happening in that world but never bogged own with detail. The costumes worn throughout the story are similarly described using the most vivid details to bring them to life without becoming overindulgent. Factor in the emotional stakes of Raffy managing his ambitions, anxieties, and personal relationships, and the story soars.
While the cosplaying, crafting, and convention culture aspects of the story might be a turn-off to some, I hope people will give this book a chance. At every moment, we're given just enough information to understand what's happening in that world but never bogged own with detail. The costumes worn throughout the story are similarly described using the most vivid details to bring them to life without becoming overindulgent. Factor in the emotional stakes of Raffy managing his ambitions, anxieties, and personal relationships, and the story soars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Homophobia
Minor: Sexual content
kt_reads's review against another edition
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, and Homophobia
madamepincers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed Be Dazzled and found it a quick, engaging read. The book is split between two timelines: the first is "now" which is over the course of a weekend at a major convention with cosplay and the second begins from 13 months prior to "now" and goes until the break up of the main character and his partner (his competition for the cosplay contest-- thus the premise of the book).
This is marked as light hearted and funny, and it was. It was funny and made me smile often and the alternating timelines made the pacing really interesting. However, as someone with various issues with panic and anxiety, I was slightly triggered by the constant anxiety and compulsions that Raffy, our main character, experiences throughout the course of the book. It was written so well into the book that it was like getting a second-hand panic attack-- which of course means it was compelling writing and also, that I was panicking, which I did not like so much. XD.
<Spoiler>I also felt a bit frustrated by the ending, which gave us a lot of hope for the future of our main character and his beau, along with their friends, but also, some of the major issues throughout the book were just conveniently discarded as a result. Suddenly, the need to prove himself and the constant compulsions to tick off to do lists and get so lost in his work that he forgets to check his phone are seemingly forgotten because he's "having fun" again. This, along with the fact that they never really address the serious violations by certain friends (who lied to the MC, stole a cosplay idea and made it came to life, gave the MC's ex-beau a whole complex about not being able to do anything and being a "drain" on energy and work, etc etc) and go out to karaoke with her at the end really frustrated me... her competitiveness, in my mind, didn't give her an excuse for that level of repeated violation.
This is marked as light hearted and funny, and it was. It was funny and made me smile often and the alternating timelines made the pacing really interesting. However, as someone with various issues with panic and anxiety, I was slightly triggered by the constant anxiety and compulsions that Raffy, our main character, experiences throughout the course of the book. It was written so well into the book that it was like getting a second-hand panic attack-- which of course means it was compelling writing and also, that I was panicking, which I did not like so much. XD.
<Spoiler>I also felt a bit frustrated by the ending, which gave us a lot of hope for the future of our main character and his beau, along with their friends, but also, some of the major issues throughout the book were just conveniently discarded as a result. Suddenly, the need to prove himself and the constant compulsions to tick off to do lists and get so lost in his work that he forgets to check his phone are seemingly forgotten because he's "having fun" again. This, along with the fact that they never really address the serious violations by certain friends (who lied to the MC, stole a cosplay idea and made it came to life, gave the MC's ex-beau a whole complex about not being able to do anything and being a "drain" on energy and work, etc etc) and go out to karaoke with her at the end really frustrated me... her competitiveness, in my mind, didn't give her an excuse for that level of repeated violation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Biphobia, Drug use, and Homophobia
Toxic friendship.mezzarella's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ryan La Sala's second literary release Be dazzled is written unapologetically for the queer nerds of secondary school. As the main character competes in a cosplay contest, he must come to term with his own ambitions and past love experiences. This book revels in geeky interests like anime and intertwines it with light-hearted competition. Readers who attended big fan events like Comic Con will relate to the excitement and camp written in the pages of this novel. Those who have not experienced cosplay before will be able to follow along seamlessly with descriptions which do not feel overly forced or dry. Regardless of a reader's comfort with cosplay, anime, or video games--the competitive aspect of the story will likely satiate anyone who has enjoyed shows like "Project Runway" in the past.
This novel is predictable and leads a fairly simple plot line. The prose is about what you would expect from a YA novel, with the emphasis on character interactions and feelings over details and complex concepts. This aside, Be dazzled is a fun, easy read which would be a kind companion on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewers, my score is my own honest opinion based on my own reading experience.
This novel is predictable and leads a fairly simple plot line. The prose is about what you would expect from a YA novel, with the emphasis on character interactions and feelings over details and complex concepts. This aside, Be dazzled is a fun, easy read which would be a kind companion on a lazy afternoon.
Thank you Netgalley for supplying me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Reviewers, my score is my own honest opinion based on my own reading experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use and Transphobia
This story involves the main character teaming up with his ex in order to compete in the cosplay competition. While the story ends