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sammymilfort'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
4.25
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Medical content, Grief, and Religious bigotry
jurisprudence'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
4.5
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Sexual harassment
readingwithtemperance'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
4.0
This book covered a wide range of topics such as: disability (hip dysplasia), bodily autonomy, and immigration. I think the author handled each of these with so much care. I actually learned so much about hip dysplasia!
There were a few things about this book that I hated. Those things being the copious amounts of ableism and slut shaming. People really need to mind their own business.
The author challenged both of these when they came up though which I thoroughly appreciated!
I thought that the Mermaid Cove aspect was so cool! I loved hearing about the performances and all of the training it takes to be a mermaid.
Verónica and her sister had such a realistic dynamic. I loved their bickering and the way they kept secrets for eachother. Strict parents create sneaky kids!
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, and Medical content
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, and Sexual assault
Minor: Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol
metaphorsandmisc'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? No
4.25
Graphic: Ableism and Medical content
Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Alcohol
zombiezami's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, and War
internationalreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Mental illness and Sexual content
bookcoffeegirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Graphic: Ableism
bibliomich'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
5.0
What I loved:
- The diversity. Sylvester has created a book that truly highlights intersectional diversity: ability, chronic pain, race, sexuality and sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health. And while all of these elements are present, none of them feel forced. She has created a truly diverse cast of characters.
- The representation of hip dysplasia and chronic pain.
- The way she addresses ableism. In recent times, I've noticed a lot of contemporary middle grade and YA authors using the word "lame" in their books (often by the protagonist, and rarely called out). I LOVE that Sylvester tackles this ableism in her book. We see the way language affects Verónica, and we hear her explain why it matters in her own words.
- The complicated family dynamics. I appreciated that Verónica's relationships with her parents and sister were complicated, nuanced, and fully explored. Verónica's parents were not perfect (esp. all the slut shaming), though they clearly cared about her. Additionally, Verónica was not a perfect daughter, though her behavior made total sense given her age, her wants and needs, and her feelings about her bodily autonomy. I loved the way we saw their relationships evolve over the course of the book, and the fact that it was never neat and tidy, but always a little messy. How refreshingly real.
- The love interest. Ahh, Alex was just so lovable (and again, a fully developed, very realistic character). I appreciated that he had his own challenges, particularly his struggles with mental health. I loved how he respected Verónica, and that he showed up when it mattered. I also enjoyed the way Alex provided Verónica with new perspectives when it came to her relationships with her parents.
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Sexism and Medical content
Minor: Sexual assault and Deportation
sarahkoreilly's review
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Ableism and Mental illness
chasingpages1's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Mental illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol