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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
Received an ARC for reviewing purposes on Netgalley.
I really enjoyed Marty in this book, his anxiety, his issues with his weight and the issues he had with his parents not accepting him made him very relatable. I enjoyed how descriptive the parts about the oboe were because I know nothing about oboes or any kind of musical instrument and the writing made it so easy to picture it all. To me, the story was missing something. Not much happened in the first half and the rest was just missing a spark
I really enjoyed Marty in this book, his anxiety, his issues with his weight and the issues he had with his parents not accepting him made him very relatable. I enjoyed how descriptive the parts about the oboe were because I know nothing about oboes or any kind of musical instrument and the writing made it so easy to picture it all. To me, the story was missing something. Not much happened in the first half and the rest was just missing a spark
Before starting my mini-review I want to thank @bloomsbury for granting me my wish and allowing me to read As Far As You'll Take Me beforehand and review it.
.
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TW: homophobia, outing, religious trauma, HP references,anxiety
.
.
As a queer person who has been only reading queer YA and New Adult books for the last 10 months, As Far As You'll Take Me struck my interest immediately. I admit, the gorgeous cover also played a part in it. No one can deny how beautiful this cover looks.
.
.
When it comes to the book itself, there were many things that I enjoyed and a few things that didn't hit the mark for me. Firstly,pros.The book talks about some important issues like mental health. Our main character Marty has anxiety.And I think his anxiety was well written and the fact that he was so well written makes him a relatable character for the readers. At least for me lol. I really related to him in so many aspects.The other point is that the book takes place in United Kingdom.I'm an English Language and Literature major so UK has always been a very interesting place for me. If you are also interested in ever going to UK this book might be interesting for you. It really makes you want to visit the places Marty has visited in the book,I for one would really want to go to UK for a summer holiday. Also,there are many many mentions of Pride which also makes you want to go to a Pride in England. One of the most important thing in the book was about outing and toxic people.So many of us don't understand how we can deal with toxic people.We continue to be friends/lovers with them even though they constantly make us feel like shit . We can't give up on them just because we love them. So I really loved the approach the author took regarding this issue. Lastly,I read The Gravity Of Us which is the authors first book. People had different opinions about that book but I can say that the writing style of this book was better in so many ways.
.
.
Now,cons. These are mostly my personal preferences but I feel like they are important. Firstly,the first 1-2 chapters was hard to get into for me. They weren't as interesting as the rest of the book but once you get over the first 2-3 chapters the rest will follow. Then we have this "Insta Love" trope going on. I'm usually not big on this trope. I feel like you have to get to know the person and bond with the person to fall in love with them. So,I'm not big on this trope. Lastly,this book had a few HP references which I didn't appreciate. I understand that HP played a big part in so many of our lives but we all know what's up with JKR and since this is a queer book it immediately made me uncomfortable. But since I read the e-arc ,the uncorrected version of the book I hope the final version of the book won't have those references.
.
.
TW: homophobia, outing, religious trauma, HP references,anxiety
.
.
As a queer person who has been only reading queer YA and New Adult books for the last 10 months, As Far As You'll Take Me struck my interest immediately. I admit, the gorgeous cover also played a part in it. No one can deny how beautiful this cover looks.
.
.
When it comes to the book itself, there were many things that I enjoyed and a few things that didn't hit the mark for me. Firstly,pros.The book talks about some important issues like mental health. Our main character Marty has anxiety.And I think his anxiety was well written and the fact that he was so well written makes him a relatable character for the readers. At least for me lol. I really related to him in so many aspects.The other point is that the book takes place in United Kingdom.I'm an English Language and Literature major so UK has always been a very interesting place for me. If you are also interested in ever going to UK this book might be interesting for you. It really makes you want to visit the places Marty has visited in the book,I for one would really want to go to UK for a summer holiday. Also,there are many many mentions of Pride which also makes you want to go to a Pride in England. One of the most important thing in the book was about outing and toxic people.So many of us don't understand how we can deal with toxic people.We continue to be friends/lovers with them even though they constantly make us feel like shit . We can't give up on them just because we love them. So I really loved the approach the author took regarding this issue. Lastly,I read The Gravity Of Us which is the authors first book. People had different opinions about that book but I can say that the writing style of this book was better in so many ways.
.
.
Now,cons. These are mostly my personal preferences but I feel like they are important. Firstly,the first 1-2 chapters was hard to get into for me. They weren't as interesting as the rest of the book but once you get over the first 2-3 chapters the rest will follow. Then we have this "Insta Love" trope going on. I'm usually not big on this trope. I feel like you have to get to know the person and bond with the person to fall in love with them. So,I'm not big on this trope. Lastly,this book had a few HP references which I didn't appreciate. I understand that HP played a big part in so many of our lives but we all know what's up with JKR and since this is a queer book it immediately made me uncomfortable. But since I read the e-arc ,the uncorrected version of the book I hope the final version of the book won't have those references.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm finding that I love the nuance and layers to stories by Phil Stamper, though I realize that it's not what everyone expects from a YA contemporary and some might want something more straightforward, less complex, or tackling fewer issues. That said, this is the second book I've read from this author and both times I have found them to be deeply moving, thought-provoking, and "going there" with difficult to tackle subjects.
As Far as You'll Take Me brings something new to the oeuvre of queer coming of age stories, this time in a narrative that includes such difficult subjects as: growing up queer in an evangelical household, toxic friendships and relationships, disordered eating and body dysmorphia in boys, and coping with severe anxiety. Is it intense? Yeah, it is. And there are no easy answers to any of this, which kind of mirrors real life, but this book begins those conversations through a character journey that I really loved.
Marty is 17, has just graduated high school, and is escaping his religious family and conservative Kentucky hometown by traveling to London with his beloved oboe, hoping to find a new life and musical career. One where he can be openly gay. Back home he has a toxic best friend, and parents who are less than supportive or understanding. In London he has new friends, new opportunities, perhaps even a new romance, but also severe anxiety and a developing eating disorder.
I won't say more about the story, but I really connected with this, messy as it sometimes was, and loved seeing Marty's journey towards being his own advocate and finding what he really wants. I do wish there had been more nuance to the handling of the eating disorder/body dysmorphia elements at the end because it comes across as a bit simplistic. But other than that, I really appreciated what this book was doing and think a lot of people will see themselves in parts of it. I received an advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Content warnings adopted from Adri's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3751173941?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1):
CWs: bullying, toxic relationships, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, graphic descriptions body dysmorphia and disordered eating, self harm in the form of self-starvation, use of queer slurs, public outing without consent, near instance of sexual assault, and several HP references
As Far as You'll Take Me brings something new to the oeuvre of queer coming of age stories, this time in a narrative that includes such difficult subjects as: growing up queer in an evangelical household, toxic friendships and relationships, disordered eating and body dysmorphia in boys, and coping with severe anxiety. Is it intense? Yeah, it is. And there are no easy answers to any of this, which kind of mirrors real life, but this book begins those conversations through a character journey that I really loved.
Marty is 17, has just graduated high school, and is escaping his religious family and conservative Kentucky hometown by traveling to London with his beloved oboe, hoping to find a new life and musical career. One where he can be openly gay. Back home he has a toxic best friend, and parents who are less than supportive or understanding. In London he has new friends, new opportunities, perhaps even a new romance, but also severe anxiety and a developing eating disorder.
I won't say more about the story, but I really connected with this, messy as it sometimes was, and loved seeing Marty's journey towards being his own advocate and finding what he really wants. I do wish there had been more nuance to the handling of the eating disorder/body dysmorphia elements at the end because it comes across as a bit simplistic. But other than that, I really appreciated what this book was doing and think a lot of people will see themselves in parts of it. I received an advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Content warnings adopted from Adri's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3751173941?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1):
CWs: bullying, toxic relationships, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, graphic descriptions body dysmorphia and disordered eating, self harm in the form of self-starvation, use of queer slurs, public outing without consent, near instance of sexual assault, and several HP references
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As Far As You'll Take Me is about a gay teenager, Marty, who flees his religious household in Kentucky to try to make it as a professional oboist in London. As his time and savings dwindle, he also has to reckon with family and friends back home, new friendships and romantic prospects in London, and his anxiety.
This is a lovely story, and it touches on a lot of issues without losing its heart. As in Stamper's debut, The Gravity of Us, the characters and relationships in As Far As You'll Take Me are messy and realistic. I appreciate how he explores all the gray area without telling the reader how to feel. At the same time, I was impressed with how vivid Marty's anxiety and feelings could be, even when the feelings were irrational.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story and the mature way that the issues are handled. I think a reader who can closely identify with the Marty, his religious upbringing in Kentucky and his anxiety, would particularly enjoy the book.
Content warnings: outing, homophobia, F-word slur, disordered eating
This is a lovely story, and it touches on a lot of issues without losing its heart. As in Stamper's debut, The Gravity of Us, the characters and relationships in As Far As You'll Take Me are messy and realistic. I appreciate how he explores all the gray area without telling the reader how to feel. At the same time, I was impressed with how vivid Marty's anxiety and feelings could be, even when the feelings were irrational.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet story and the mature way that the issues are handled. I think a reader who can closely identify with the Marty, his religious upbringing in Kentucky and his anxiety, would particularly enjoy the book.
Content warnings: outing, homophobia, F-word slur, disordered eating
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
CWs: bullying, toxic relationships, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, graphic descriptions body dysmorphia and disordered eating, self harm in the form of self-starvation, use of queer slurs, public outing without consent, near instance of sexual assault, and several HP references
As Far As You'll Take Me is an incredibly necessary story, but also a challenging one. Much like in his debut, The Gravity of Us, Stamper deftly writes about mental health, and thoughtfully explores the anxiety Marty feels as he leave behind everything and everyone he knows an entire continent away.
This story is much darker than TGOU, and takes an in-depth look at toxic relationships, eating disorders, and homophobia. If you're looking for a light-hearted book that celebrates wanderlust and traversing all across Europe while finding love, this may not be the book for you. (Though it should be noted that Marty does do quite a bit of travelling throughout the story, and it does bring him some joy—and also some pain.) There is definitely a strong element of found family and discovering new friendships that I found to be refreshing, but overall this is a story that definitely puts Marty through the ringer as he embarks on a harrowing journey of self-growth.
(Please do note the content warnings, as these subjects are often explored explicitly.)
Things I Appreciated:
- This book is a music geek's dream! Stamper clearly has incredible music chops, and that authentically comes through in the story. There's a lot of attention paid to musical theory, music technique, and music appreciation that is supremely satisfying to read if you're a musician yourself. (Like me! Former band kid reporting for duty.) It's also really wonderful to see characters connecting and bonding over music. Stamper perfectly captures what it feels like for a group of musicians to play together and challenge each other. It's rare to see such thoughtful portrayals of musicianship, and I loved that aspect.
- Marty is a complex character with a strong voice. He has a distinct point of view, a pretty good sense of humor, and a hunger for acceptance and love. He's also racked with anxiety, and often uses lists to order and organize his thoughts/feelings. He's extremely hard on himself, and often unconsciously finds himself drawn towards strong-minded people who will mirror or echo back all the things he dislikes about himself. Though he definitely Goes Through It in this story, he leaves off in a hopeful place and learns a lot from his mistakes.
- The story honestly and clearly explores the dangers of toxic relationships. This is something I feel is incredibly important for young readers to see, because many young folks will often find themselves trapped in toxic/hurtful relationships without knowing how to navigate them. The story does a good job of showing how Marty doesn't deserve to be punished or hurt just because he's imperfect, no matter how much he may believe otherwise. If a relationship doesn't serve you or build you up, then it's not a relationship worth keeping. I think many young readers will relate to Marty as someone who considers themselves an outsider, or a loner, and who feels like they can't afford to be "picky" in their relationships if they want to be cared about. But our space and our well-being is worth protecting, and I think the story does a good job of showing that.
- The story affords Marty grace. In the beginning, he ignores people's offers to help him, he tries to keep his head down and isolate himself, and he does a lot of harm to himself (both mental and physical) in the process. By the end, he's learning how to be a better friend, how to show up for himself, how to show himself and others the love he deserves, and how to more healthily grow towards the future he wants for himself. Though he faces many challenges, those challenges are valid, and he grows through them.
The Sticking Points:
I want to be clear that even though this is a challenging story, that doesn't mean it's unimportant or that it shouldn't be told. The struggles Marty faces are struggles that many teens, especially queer teens, face. Those stories deserve space and the dignity of being told.
- We don't get to see Marty's parents grow. The homophobia and religious bigotry Marty's parents both participate in and perpetuate is an integral part of this story. One could say his parents are the antagonists of the story, because it's their homophobia that drives Marty out of the States in the first place. Throughout the story, Marty is hiding the truth about his plans to permanently live in London, because if his parents find out before he can secure a long-term plan, it'll be game over.
The acceptance Marty so desperately seeks is, at least in part, because it's exactly what he never got from his own family. As events in the story transpire, his parents do have to confront their own homophobia. But because Marty is separated from them by an entire ocean, we as readers are not able to witness that growth and gauge whether it's genuine or lasting, which feels like a major missed opportunity when it comes to the story's resolution.
- The exploration of eating disorders (and self-harm in the form of disordered eating) felt surface-level. I think the reason why this plot point comes off that way is because it's fleeting. We see Marty slowly but surely developing an eating disorder, but after one intervention/blow-out, the issue slowly fades into the background. Marty is able to confront the problem and address it as being a problem, but there's no mention of recovery or how he plans to go about recovery, and by the end we're expected to just understand that he's "handled" the problem now and it'll never come up again.
This feels disingenuous to those who have struggled with body dysmorphia and eating disorders, both experiences that take an extreme physical/mental toll and take a great amount of support to heal from. There's also a lack of intersectionality, I feel. Or rather, there was a missed opportunity for an exploration of how body image, mental heath, and queerness intersect. Body image is something that a lot of queer folks struggle with, especially considering the prevalence of unrealistically white, cis-centric, Western beauty standards—and with queer men having to contend with toxic masculinity and impossible body expectations, this is a pervasive issue within the community. But that never comes up, and that's never addressed in the story. Marty's boyfriend is simply calorie-obsessed, and his "healthy" habits rub off on Marty in the wrong way.
- There is never an acknowledgement of privilege. I have a lot of admiration for Marty. Getting on a plane with all your most important possessions, flying to a whole other continent with no source of income or living plan, and fully intending to never come back is metal as hell. I don't know many people who could do that. And therein lies the problem, in many ways. While I respect the sheer amount of guts and the level of determination it takes to strike out on your own with no plan and no failsafe, a large part of why Marty is able to take that leap of faith is because he has white male privilege—whether he owns it or not. Even in the worst case scenario (being found out by his parents and sent back home) he has a cushion to fall back on. A lot of people don't.
His ability to afford a ticket to London, to be able to spend what little savings he has on food and European travel, to know that he can stay in his Aunt's flat as long as he needs, to separate himself from his family and comfortably ignore them with little to no ramifications, (view spoiler)—these are all privileges. Even though he experiences a great deal of anxiety over whether he'll be able to secure a living, find a paying gig, figure out a living situation, etc. it's never a question of whether he'll be able to do it. As a cis white man (and an extremely gifted musician, as many people note), his chances of getting a job, securing a flat, making money off a side hustle, are far higher than people who don't have the benefit of those privileges. This is never acknowledged in the story, though it should have been.
It feels like a classic case of "well white can experience hardship, too." Yes, they can, and Marty certainly does. But he can have problems and still benefit from his privilege.
In Conclusion:
So as you can tell, I left this novel feeling torn. I think it's a worthwhile story and one that definitely deserves telling, and it's also a story that's ultimately hopeful and has a lot of valuable things to say about self-growth. Though Marty faces a lot of difficult challenges, I think those challenges are realistic, and ones that many young readers will be able to relate to. For me, it's a story with a lot of really strong ideas that just doesn't quite stick the landing. There was a lot of potential, there was a lot of room to explore these challenging topics with nuance, but I felt like the story just didn't quite get there.
I was still moved by the story and swept up in it. I still loved the writing of it, and I still very much consider Stamper an auto-read author. But I just wasn't able to love this one as much as his debut. Even with all that said, I'm excited to see what Phil Stamper writes next, because I'll definitely be reading it.
As Far As You'll Take Me is an incredibly necessary story, but also a challenging one. Much like in his debut, The Gravity of Us, Stamper deftly writes about mental health, and thoughtfully explores the anxiety Marty feels as he leave behind everything and everyone he knows an entire continent away.
This story is much darker than TGOU, and takes an in-depth look at toxic relationships, eating disorders, and homophobia. If you're looking for a light-hearted book that celebrates wanderlust and traversing all across Europe while finding love, this may not be the book for you. (Though it should be noted that Marty does do quite a bit of travelling throughout the story, and it does bring him some joy—and also some pain.) There is definitely a strong element of found family and discovering new friendships that I found to be refreshing, but overall this is a story that definitely puts Marty through the ringer as he embarks on a harrowing journey of self-growth.
(Please do note the content warnings, as these subjects are often explored explicitly.)
Things I Appreciated:
- This book is a music geek's dream! Stamper clearly has incredible music chops, and that authentically comes through in the story. There's a lot of attention paid to musical theory, music technique, and music appreciation that is supremely satisfying to read if you're a musician yourself. (Like me! Former band kid reporting for duty.) It's also really wonderful to see characters connecting and bonding over music. Stamper perfectly captures what it feels like for a group of musicians to play together and challenge each other. It's rare to see such thoughtful portrayals of musicianship, and I loved that aspect.
- Marty is a complex character with a strong voice. He has a distinct point of view, a pretty good sense of humor, and a hunger for acceptance and love. He's also racked with anxiety, and often uses lists to order and organize his thoughts/feelings. He's extremely hard on himself, and often unconsciously finds himself drawn towards strong-minded people who will mirror or echo back all the things he dislikes about himself. Though he definitely Goes Through It in this story, he leaves off in a hopeful place and learns a lot from his mistakes.
- The story honestly and clearly explores the dangers of toxic relationships. This is something I feel is incredibly important for young readers to see, because many young folks will often find themselves trapped in toxic/hurtful relationships without knowing how to navigate them. The story does a good job of showing how Marty doesn't deserve to be punished or hurt just because he's imperfect, no matter how much he may believe otherwise. If a relationship doesn't serve you or build you up, then it's not a relationship worth keeping. I think many young readers will relate to Marty as someone who considers themselves an outsider, or a loner, and who feels like they can't afford to be "picky" in their relationships if they want to be cared about. But our space and our well-being is worth protecting, and I think the story does a good job of showing that.
- The story affords Marty grace. In the beginning, he ignores people's offers to help him, he tries to keep his head down and isolate himself, and he does a lot of harm to himself (both mental and physical) in the process. By the end, he's learning how to be a better friend, how to show up for himself, how to show himself and others the love he deserves, and how to more healthily grow towards the future he wants for himself. Though he faces many challenges, those challenges are valid, and he grows through them.
The Sticking Points:
I want to be clear that even though this is a challenging story, that doesn't mean it's unimportant or that it shouldn't be told. The struggles Marty faces are struggles that many teens, especially queer teens, face. Those stories deserve space and the dignity of being told.
- We don't get to see Marty's parents grow. The homophobia and religious bigotry Marty's parents both participate in and perpetuate is an integral part of this story. One could say his parents are the antagonists of the story, because it's their homophobia that drives Marty out of the States in the first place. Throughout the story, Marty is hiding the truth about his plans to permanently live in London, because if his parents find out before he can secure a long-term plan, it'll be game over.
The acceptance Marty so desperately seeks is, at least in part, because it's exactly what he never got from his own family. As events in the story transpire, his parents do have to confront their own homophobia. But because Marty is separated from them by an entire ocean, we as readers are not able to witness that growth and gauge whether it's genuine or lasting, which feels like a major missed opportunity when it comes to the story's resolution.
- The exploration of eating disorders (and self-harm in the form of disordered eating) felt surface-level. I think the reason why this plot point comes off that way is because it's fleeting. We see Marty slowly but surely developing an eating disorder, but after one intervention/blow-out, the issue slowly fades into the background. Marty is able to confront the problem and address it as being a problem, but there's no mention of recovery or how he plans to go about recovery, and by the end we're expected to just understand that he's "handled" the problem now and it'll never come up again.
This feels disingenuous to those who have struggled with body dysmorphia and eating disorders, both experiences that take an extreme physical/mental toll and take a great amount of support to heal from. There's also a lack of intersectionality, I feel. Or rather, there was a missed opportunity for an exploration of how body image, mental heath, and queerness intersect. Body image is something that a lot of queer folks struggle with, especially considering the prevalence of unrealistically white, cis-centric, Western beauty standards—and with queer men having to contend with toxic masculinity and impossible body expectations, this is a pervasive issue within the community. But that never comes up, and that's never addressed in the story. Marty's boyfriend is simply calorie-obsessed, and his "healthy" habits rub off on Marty in the wrong way.
- There is never an acknowledgement of privilege. I have a lot of admiration for Marty. Getting on a plane with all your most important possessions, flying to a whole other continent with no source of income or living plan, and fully intending to never come back is metal as hell. I don't know many people who could do that. And therein lies the problem, in many ways. While I respect the sheer amount of guts and the level of determination it takes to strike out on your own with no plan and no failsafe, a large part of why Marty is able to take that leap of faith is because he has white male privilege—whether he owns it or not. Even in the worst case scenario (being found out by his parents and sent back home) he has a cushion to fall back on. A lot of people don't.
His ability to afford a ticket to London, to be able to spend what little savings he has on food and European travel, to know that he can stay in his Aunt's flat as long as he needs, to separate himself from his family and comfortably ignore them with little to no ramifications, (view spoiler)—these are all privileges. Even though he experiences a great deal of anxiety over whether he'll be able to secure a living, find a paying gig, figure out a living situation, etc. it's never a question of whether he'll be able to do it. As a cis white man (and an extremely gifted musician, as many people note), his chances of getting a job, securing a flat, making money off a side hustle, are far higher than people who don't have the benefit of those privileges. This is never acknowledged in the story, though it should have been.
It feels like a classic case of "well white can experience hardship, too." Yes, they can, and Marty certainly does. But he can have problems and still benefit from his privilege.
In Conclusion:
So as you can tell, I left this novel feeling torn. I think it's a worthwhile story and one that definitely deserves telling, and it's also a story that's ultimately hopeful and has a lot of valuable things to say about self-growth. Though Marty faces a lot of difficult challenges, I think those challenges are realistic, and ones that many young readers will be able to relate to. For me, it's a story with a lot of really strong ideas that just doesn't quite stick the landing. There was a lot of potential, there was a lot of room to explore these challenging topics with nuance, but I felt like the story just didn't quite get there.
I was still moved by the story and swept up in it. I still loved the writing of it, and I still very much consider Stamper an auto-read author. But I just wasn't able to love this one as much as his debut. Even with all that said, I'm excited to see what Phil Stamper writes next, because I'll definitely be reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
17-year-old Marty leaves his unaccepting parents, a toxic best friend and an oppressive Kentucky town behind when he decides to spend his summer (and maybe the rest of his life) in London. There he hopes he’ll be able to be his true true self, find his dream job in music and maybe even fall in love. But with his anxiety worsening, the cute boy he met maybe not being what he seems and his chances to live his dreams shrinking, Marty has to figure out what to do next.
Phil Stamper does such a great job of tackling multiple heavy topics in As Far As You’ll Take Me. The way Marty’s anxiety was depicted was like nothing else that I’ve seen in YA novels. Marty was messy and made some mistakes that made me want to scream, but he was also super endearing and I was rooting for him to figure it all out throughout the entire book.
I also want to talk about Sophie because I love her!! Too often in YA books with a queer male lead, the female best friend is usually my least favorite character. They usually treat the main character terribly, are flat, or are just there to make forced-in pop culture references. Sophie felt fully fleshed out and I really appreciated that. She had her own story arc, her own flaws and her own development. Sadly, that’s pretty rare to see.
Another thing I really liked was the focus on friendships and how those are just as important (and sometimes more important) as romantic relationships. We see Marty grapple with a lot of different new friendships as well as work his way through some of his old friendships and that was really refreshing to see.
I was worried about how this would end and where all of Marty’s relationships would be, but (no spoilers!) I was really happy with how this one ended.
CW // eating disorders, religious trauma, forced outing, anxiety, homophobia
Note: In the ARC there are a few Harry Potter references, but Phil Stamper already said they won’t be included in the finished book
Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Homophobia
(Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: panic attacks, anxiety, homophobia, forced outting, restrictive eating and conversations about eating disorders
As Far As You'll Take Me is for all the music enthusiasts, for everyone struggling in toxic friendships, for anyone searching for some bravery to be ourselves. From the beginning, this book twisted my heart with how cute it was. Marty's narration feels casual, like someone, your best friend, is confiding in you. Because of that, the pages kept flying through my fingers. Marty is endearing, compassionate, and vulnerable on the page. His love of bullet point lists, extensive use of Google, and need for preparation struck a chord within me.
As Far As You'll Take Me delivers conversations about toxic friendships, about the people we love hurting us the most, and found family we continue to choose. Marty's story begins with his first opportunity to stretch his own wings and possibly fly. On his own, Marty embarks on an adventure of self-discovery, agency, and friendship. It's about realizing when things need to end. Realizing we need better. Seeing the words on the wall and being honest with ourselves.
TW: panic attacks, anxiety, homophobia, forced outting, restrictive eating and conversations about eating disorders
As Far As You'll Take Me is for all the music enthusiasts, for everyone struggling in toxic friendships, for anyone searching for some bravery to be ourselves. From the beginning, this book twisted my heart with how cute it was. Marty's narration feels casual, like someone, your best friend, is confiding in you. Because of that, the pages kept flying through my fingers. Marty is endearing, compassionate, and vulnerable on the page. His love of bullet point lists, extensive use of Google, and need for preparation struck a chord within me.
As Far As You'll Take Me delivers conversations about toxic friendships, about the people we love hurting us the most, and found family we continue to choose. Marty's story begins with his first opportunity to stretch his own wings and possibly fly. On his own, Marty embarks on an adventure of self-discovery, agency, and friendship. It's about realizing when things need to end. Realizing we need better. Seeing the words on the wall and being honest with ourselves.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Eating disorder