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yapha's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really fun read. Very angsty, about changing friendships between high school and college, combining a Cinderella story line with Quidditch. Lots of fun pop culture references to Tumbler and other social media forms. Recommended for grades 10 & up.
megs_s's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
mckaylarose99's review against another edition
5.0
Even if you haven’t immersed yourself in Harry Potter, this book is a must read for anyone who enjoys books that tackle gender/race, family dynamics, sports, and the struggles that come with that weird time when you’re basically an adult, but not really.
Adding this to the list of books I tell everyone to read. BRB trying to find a quidditch team near me.
Adding this to the list of books I tell everyone to read. BRB trying to find a quidditch team near me.
laura_bird's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Summary: Recently graduating high school, Ellen knows she has just a few months to spend with her high school best friends before they're all sent their separate ways at separate colleges. But when she winds up in so much trouble the only way she can even spend time with her friend Melissa is by joining a Quidditch team, Ellen finds herself quite literally flexing new muscles. What follows is a heartfelt story about growing up and all the pangs it brings, from evolving friendship, to family ties, and finding one's identity.
Reaction: I'm truly in awe of Anna Meriano right now. I haven't read a print book in years, my ADHD preferring to listen to audiobooks while I walk. But the print copy was all I could get my hands on and after loving "It Sounds Like This" to the moon and back, and finding out that there was a "prequel" of sorts, I needed this book like, well, like a feminist vegan Quidditch player needs a black bean taco.
Ellen is idealistic, almost to a fault, but loveable and strong. As a former athlete I loved the descriptions of Ellen's struggles but love to play the sport. She struggles with rejection sensitivity and questions even the love of her father throughout the book, which, to my utmost delight, turns into the sportiest nerd (or nerdiest sport?) modern retelling of the Cinderella story, with Ellen finding her passed away mother's old soccer cleats and losing one to a "prince" who returns it to her at the big Quidditch tournament of the summer. Utterly genius.
I cannot gush about this story or author enough. It's everything I would have loved as a teen and still somehow need as a never-you-mind-how-old adult. I'm so grateful books like this exist in the world.
Reaction: I'm truly in awe of Anna Meriano right now. I haven't read a print book in years, my ADHD preferring to listen to audiobooks while I walk. But the print copy was all I could get my hands on and after loving "It Sounds Like This" to the moon and back, and finding out that there was a "prequel" of sorts, I needed this book like, well, like a feminist vegan Quidditch player needs a black bean taco.
Ellen is idealistic, almost to a fault, but loveable and strong. As a former athlete I loved the descriptions of Ellen's struggles but love to play the sport. She struggles with rejection sensitivity and questions even the love of her father throughout the book, which, to my utmost delight, turns into the sportiest nerd (or nerdiest sport?) modern retelling of the Cinderella story, with Ellen finding her passed away mother's old soccer cleats and losing one to a "prince" who returns it to her at the big Quidditch tournament of the summer. Utterly genius.
I cannot gush about this story or author enough. It's everything I would have loved as a teen and still somehow need as a never-you-mind-how-old adult. I'm so grateful books like this exist in the world.
anniekatherine's review against another edition
4.0
One of the biggest reasons I loved this book so much was how incredibly REAL it was. Not everything panned out perfectly for Ellen, our MC. Not everything was "magical" (so to speak) and it had a lot more heart than I thought it would. I really enjoyed Ellen, Melissa, and the rest of the Quiddich team so much. A+ for rep as well, which was WONDERFUL. The first part of this book was really enjoyable, but it was the second half that really took off and sold me. I highly recommend this book.
bowtiequeer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.75
babymoomoocow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
This is definitely a book that got better as it went. It really highlights what Quidditch really feels like in real life. (quidditch is now called quadball, it’s going through a rebranding) I definitely felt like the main character was really annoying at the beginning but she got better as it went. I definitely felt for her in the last 15 chapters and I felt like this book was meant to come out in 2014 rather than 2020, but after reading what the author has written at the end of the book, it kind of hinted that it was started in 2014. So the mention of Tumblr over Twitter makes a bit more sense.
But it is about a freshly 18-year-old trying to figure out a tough, family dynamic, and if you’ve ever met a kid like that, they also can be annoying. Speaking from experience.
It also made me miss playing, Quidditch, and reminded me to get involved in the community again
But it is about a freshly 18-year-old trying to figure out a tough, family dynamic, and if you’ve ever met a kid like that, they also can be annoying. Speaking from experience.
It also made me miss playing, Quidditch, and reminded me to get involved in the community again
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Transphobia, Ableism, Homophobia, and Sexism
alex_obsessed_415's review against another edition
4.0
As a huge Harry Potter fan, I had to read it. I thought it was amazing, and it addressed so many things wrong with society and problems teenagers face. Beautiful read.
windprinzessin_'s review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yusra_should_be_reading_rn's review against another edition
1.0
DNF 45% or 210 pages
This is so unbelievably boring. I don't understand why it's so long nothing has happened at all. Actually that's not true all 210 pages were used to show how woke the main character is. She's a vegan feminist and a bunch of other things. Guys she is so progressive! And no one around her is as woke as her.
Okay cool but is there anything else to her character or the book in general? Nope
This is so unbelievably boring. I don't understand why it's so long nothing has happened at all. Actually that's not true all 210 pages were used to show how woke the main character is. She's a vegan feminist and a bunch of other things. Guys she is so progressive! And no one around her is as woke as her.
Okay cool but is there anything else to her character or the book in general? Nope