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lue_moon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The queer, nonbinary, and autistic rep was excellent and very relatable, especially the later. It's maybe the first book I've read where a character is explicitly Autistic and getting to read so many little details that I was able to relate to was something I don't know I ever expected to get a novel. The description of overstimulation, stimming (both happy stims and self-aggressive ones), what it's like when words become difficult, the experience of not knowing how to human....An author with lived experience makes a world of difference.
To also read a parent who wholeheartedly embraces his kid in all aspects of their identity, who actually takes the time and care to truly understand his kid, made me want to cry. Not nearly enough queer kids, let alone queer autistic kids, get to have that.
And the friendship between Sam and their friends is so freaking heartwarming. Found family like that in a book reminds me just how important my own found family is, and also makes me wish I would have been able to have friendships like that sooner.
This is why I will never understand how people think family is as common as blood. To me, family is breath; it's trusting the person beside you to demand your right to air in a world that would take it from you. It's the vulnerability of feeling someone's chest move in a careful rhythm to give you your own back.
Graphic: Bullying, Murder, Homophobia, Death, Hate crime, and Transphobia
Moderate: Ableism, Toxic friendship, and Biphobia
Minor: Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Cancer
sefalinde's review
- 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
Graphic: Transphobia, Self harm, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death, Dysphoria, Murder, Bullying, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Biphobia
tryslora's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying
kyanitecourage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Transphobia, Hate crime, Death, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Child death, Bullying, Stalking, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Murder
Moderate: Biphobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
emmiej's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child death, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Murder, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
dododenise's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Seeing a nonbinary autistic mc is what made me pick up this book in the first place. I loved Sam and the other characters. They were wonderful and pulled me through this book.
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, Mental illness, Biphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Blood, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Ableism, Outing, and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Cancer
valereads's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Murder, Toxic friendship, Bullying, Biphobia, Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Self harm
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Sam's character is so dynamic and full of emotion that I could not help but feel as if I was next to them the entire time, seeing the story play out from their perspective.
I appreciated the subtle magical-realism that played into the mystery unfolding.
Can we take a MOMENT to appreciate the relationship Sam has with their dad? The positive representation of a single-father household was truly warming to read about, and the ways in which Sam and Junius communicate and engage with each other are beautiful. It's not perfect and clean all the time, but it felt happy and true.
I also love the cover!
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, Transphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Death, Biphobia, and Child death
Minor: Alcoholism, Self harm, Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
piikasmalls's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Violence, Homophobia, Bullying, and Transphobia
acasiamae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Mental illness
Minor: Outing, Vomit, and Bullying