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flowerbinsh's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Read as a requirement for my Queer Genre class.
I so wish I could give this book a 3.5 star, as I was originally planning, but I really don't think I can. Let me start off with the positives first, though. I thoroughly enjoyed the time-travel aspect of this novel. It was such a fun little rompy adventure that I could totally get behind, especially with how hectic my world is currently during finals week. I also enjoyed the majority of the characters, especially Chaz. I think he was a perfect addition to the plot, as well as Mrs. Silverthorn. She was a perfect character who had a lot of personality, and balanced out the horrific main character.
On that note, the majority of my complaints, and the removal of .75 stars, is due to Luis. Firstly, he was an insanely selfish and self-centered character who only cared about the rights of cis gay men before his beloved nonbinary friend, Nix. His reformist views were extremely exclusive to anyone that did not match him when it came to identity. Secondly, the way he presents himself was a problematic addition, in my opinion. His use of AAVE and seemingly weird comments toward Mrs. Silverthorn (a black woman), as pointed out to me and others in my class discussion, were an odd addition with seemingly no repercussions. As this book was written for his daughter of African American descent, it felt weird to include, but maybe it is not my place to say so as a white woman. Thirdly,the way he treated the characters within the 1985 timeline really grinds my gears. He is constantly trying to make Chaz come out and be his "fabulous" self, but as Chaz is a Black queer teen in the 80s in upstate New York, it is not a feasible thing to expect of him. It is quite literally dangerous for him to do anything outside of heteronormativity, especially at this Christian boarding school with homophobic parents.
I personally did not see enough change in Luis' character for me to see this novel as a critique of his character choices. I think Valdes did genuinely try to do so bymaking his character at the end less important than he was in the previous timeline and, instead, giving his centered personality to Chaz's character. I don't think was enough for me personally, though.
The ended was to quick and easy and happy for me to truly believe a lot of change happened. That being said, I do think this story has a lot of value, but it was not for my personal tastes.
I so wish I could give this book a 3.5 star, as I was originally planning, but I really don't think I can. Let me start off with the positives first, though. I thoroughly enjoyed the time-travel aspect of this novel. It was such a fun little rompy adventure that I could totally get behind, especially with how hectic my world is currently during finals week. I also enjoyed the majority of the characters, especially Chaz. I think he was a perfect addition to the plot, as well as Mrs. Silverthorn. She was a perfect character who had a lot of personality, and balanced out the horrific main character.
On that note, the majority of my complaints, and the removal of .75 stars, is due to Luis. Firstly, he was an insanely selfish and self-centered character who only cared about the rights of cis gay men before his beloved nonbinary friend, Nix. His reformist views were extremely exclusive to anyone that did not match him when it came to identity. Secondly, the way he presents himself was a problematic addition, in my opinion. His use of AAVE and seemingly weird comments toward Mrs. Silverthorn (a black woman), as pointed out to me and others in my class discussion, were an odd addition with seemingly no repercussions. As this book was written for his daughter of African American descent, it felt weird to include, but maybe it is not my place to say so as a white woman. Thirdly,
I personally did not see enough change in Luis' character for me to see this novel as a critique of his character choices. I think Valdes did genuinely try to do so by
The ended was to quick and easy and happy for me to truly believe a lot of change happened. That being said, I do think this story has a lot of value, but it was not for my personal tastes.
infusedchai's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
i found luis so annoying it was unbearable at some parts. but he came around in the end and i added the .75 because that was cute
kadyhart's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
rainbowbookworm's review
3.0
Entertaining, but boy did I have to suspend disbelief... on way too many levels to be able to give it a higher rating.
squidcrimes's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
drakoulis's review
5.0
What a fabulous, brilliant book !
It really is a gay retelling of Back to the Future in the funniest and sassiest way !
Luis, the narrator, is an out-and-proud, larger than life, loud and sassy senior. He is used to having his way, using his silky tongue and his witty brains to woe the school principal into embracing his ideas. But the school in upstate rural New York (one of these small-town-America places that seem absolutely horrible places to live in books) isn't as progressive as it claims to be, and despite Luis' efforts, they don't allow same-sex couples at prom, and Luis is furious he can't attend with his boyfriend Cheng.
While Luis is plotting potential ways to change this, on his way to talk with his favourite teacher, Ms. Silverthorn, an accidntal hit in the head sends him back to 1985.
And 1985 is a terrible place for gay people. His school is a religious hellhole, and one of the worst people around is Luis' estranged father, Gordo. Luis quickly decides that there's a reason he's here, and that's to save closeted gay boy Chaz Wilson from committing suicide on prom day - a story he knows from his mother.
With the assistance of a young Ms. Silverthron, Luis befriends Chaz, his roomate Ernie Gale (who in the present timline grew up to be an eccentric museum curator), no-nonsense Leesa and his own mother. We see through his eyes all the terrible aspects of life in the 80s for gay people, but this book is a message of hope, of preserverance, of love and the message that big changes can be put into motion by the actions of a few individuals and just having someone there for you.
Especially the last part is the one we can see it clearly :
- we see the difference between the 1985 school and the 2020 school, and then the differece with the new 2020 school which is the result of decades of efforts from a determined teacher, inspired by the courage and love of her students back in 1985.
- we see the impact Luis' intervention has on Chaz, who now has someone to talk to, to help him accept himself and.
- we see the impact on Ernie's life, who completely changes with his new friends and leading him to personal revelations too.
A minor complain: The book could use 2-3 more chapters so that some loose ends from the past are tied in the present. We never learnt about Leesa in the present, it would be nice to see adult Chaz and Ernie, and maybe a bit more of Cheng.
Overall, it was a great and unique read and I hope David Valdes keeps writing YA gay novels !
It really is a gay retelling of Back to the Future in the funniest and sassiest way !
Luis, the narrator, is an out-and-proud, larger than life, loud and sassy senior. He is used to having his way, using his silky tongue and his witty brains to woe the school principal into embracing his ideas. But the school in upstate rural New York (one of these small-town-America places that seem absolutely horrible places to live in books) isn't as progressive as it claims to be, and despite Luis' efforts, they don't allow same-sex couples at prom, and Luis is furious he can't attend with his boyfriend Cheng.
While Luis is plotting potential ways to change this, on his way to talk with his favourite teacher, Ms. Silverthorn, an accidntal hit in the head sends him back to 1985.
And 1985 is a terrible place for gay people. His school is a religious hellhole, and one of the worst people around is Luis' estranged father, Gordo. Luis quickly decides that there's a reason he's here, and that's to save closeted gay boy Chaz Wilson from committing suicide on prom day - a story he knows from his mother.
With the assistance of a young Ms. Silverthron, Luis befriends Chaz, his roomate Ernie Gale (who in the present timline grew up to be an eccentric museum curator), no-nonsense Leesa and his own mother. We see through his eyes all the terrible aspects of life in the 80s for gay people, but this book is a message of hope, of preserverance, of love and the message that big changes can be put into motion by the actions of a few individuals and just having someone there for you.
Especially the last part is the one we can see it clearly :
- we see the difference between the 1985 school and the 2020 school, and then the differece with the new 2020 school which is the result of decades of efforts from a determined teacher, inspired by the courage and love of her students back in 1985.
- we see the impact Luis' intervention has on Chaz, who now has someone to talk to, to help him accept himself and
Spoiler
his fate changes by Luis' presence in that crucial night, where in the original timeline he is killed (and not a suicide as it was thought)- we see the impact on Ernie's life, who completely changes with his new friends and leading him to personal revelations too.
A minor complain: The book could use 2-3 more chapters so that some loose ends from the past are tied in the present. We never learnt about Leesa in the present, it would be nice to see adult Chaz and Ernie, and maybe a bit more of Cheng.
Overall, it was a great and unique read and I hope David Valdes keeps writing YA gay novels !
theeuphoriczat's review
4.0
We follow Luis a senior at Artic Springs Academy whose main goal this semester is to ensure that he can go to prom with his too sweet boyfriend Cheng. But has we can expect from a farm country with old school rules, no gays at prom. He is disheartened despite trying to campaign for it. He believes that no one understand his plight including his mum who loves and accepts him but believes his safety id above every other pleasurable experience he wants from prom.
We do get a bit of back story as to why his mother is that way. Apparently, when she was in high school, a boy (Chaz) took his own life (which is rumoured to be actually murder by the school bullies), so she is very afraid for his child.
When Luis is thrust into the past, to 1985 when his mother was in senior high and Chaz was still alive, he seeks help from his teacher Ms Silverthorn who he was close to at the Academy. Feeling out of place, scared and tangled in the 80s, he decides that his purpose is to save Chaz and hopefully return back to his time without messing up his own birth and being stuck or creating a grandfather paradox.
Reading this book and listening to the playlist was just me walking down memory lane.
I really enjoyed it, I thought it was a great insight how out of place a lot of gay kids can feel when they are constantly in a space that is not created with them in mind. Also, I think, it shows how we can create joy and happiness if we choose to.
Thanks to Pride Book Tours for making this book available to me.
We do get a bit of back story as to why his mother is that way. Apparently, when she was in high school, a boy (Chaz) took his own life (which is rumoured to be actually murder by the school bullies), so she is very afraid for his child.
When Luis is thrust into the past, to 1985 when his mother was in senior high and Chaz was still alive, he seeks help from his teacher Ms Silverthorn who he was close to at the Academy. Feeling out of place, scared and tangled in the 80s, he decides that his purpose is to save Chaz and hopefully return back to his time without messing up his own birth and being stuck or creating a grandfather paradox.
Reading this book and listening to the playlist was just me walking down memory lane.
I really enjoyed it, I thought it was a great insight how out of place a lot of gay kids can feel when they are constantly in a space that is not created with them in mind. Also, I think, it shows how we can create joy and happiness if we choose to.
Thanks to Pride Book Tours for making this book available to me.
thebeans's review
adventurous
funny
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
tayend_x's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
d__'s review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0