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rafacolog's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Bullying, Homophobia, and Hate crime
careinthelibrary's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
3.5
This was good! A fast-paced coming-of-age story with three unique and compelling perspectives.
I learned a lot about the modern diagnosis and treatment process of HIV/AIDS as well as the Brazilian cultural significance of queerness and HIV/AIDS.
This was an audiobook read for me and I enjoyed all the narrators and it helped me differentiate the different povs which can otherwise be a challenge in audio form.
I recommend this to fans of queer YA coming-of-age novels like Ziggy Stardust and Me and This is Kind of an Awkward Love Story.
I learned a lot about the modern diagnosis and treatment process of HIV/AIDS as well as the Brazilian cultural significance of queerness and HIV/AIDS.
This was an audiobook read for me and I enjoyed all the narrators and it helped me differentiate the different povs which can otherwise be a challenge in audio form.
I recommend this to fans of queer YA coming-of-age novels like Ziggy Stardust and Me and This is Kind of an Awkward Love Story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Outing
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Drug use, Violence, and Blood
HIV/AIDS stigma, medical treatment and side effects of treatment/lack of treatment for HIV/AIDS.robyn_fenix's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Chronic illness, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Minor: Blood
bibliophilicrichard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Outing
alibader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
3.75
This was the first book I have ever read that discussed HIV and I think it was great. I really enjoyed the character of Ian and his storyline I thought it was the most compelling. Since this book switches POVs every chapter I was surprisingly never confused and I thought each character had his own unique voice (although maybe that was due to the audiobook having different narrators).
However, my issues with the book are like many of the other reviews, at some points the plot wasn't making sense and things happened way too fast towards the end. The epilogue breaks the fourth wall for some reason (??). And at some points the writing (especially in doctor appointment scenes) felt like I was reading a textbook.
I would 100% recommend this to readers who want to learn more about HIV with an, especially diverse cast.
However, my issues with the book are like many of the other reviews, at some points the plot wasn't making sense and things happened way too fast towards the end. The epilogue
I would 100% recommend this to readers who want to learn more about HIV with an, especially diverse cast.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Homophobia, Medical content, and Outing
hev139's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Hate crime, and Bullying
ridleyreadsthings's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This was a brilliant book - honestly, as a gay man, I didn't actually know much about HIV or AIDS. I knew the basics, the horror stories that come with all the fear and hate and stigma.
This was such an enlightening read. The characters were adorable, and it was interesting to get insight into living with HIV from 3 different povs - someone who has just been diagnosed, someone who has been living with it for 3 years, and the third was dating the former, and freaked out when he found out his partner has HIV. Also all come from a background where all of their families reacted in different ways to them coming out.
Following these young men on their journey as their lives intertwined was such a joy - it was heartfelt and tender, and sometimes tense and heartbreaking.
It was a stunning debut - it was informative, well written and funny with a great set of characters, who had amazing support group of friends that everyone needs in their lives.
I rated it 4 stars, mainly because it felt kind of rushed towards the end, but I still enjoyed every minute of it. But other than that I can't really fault it much. I look forward to whatever books Lucas Rocha may write in the future.
This book is a reminder that hate and prejudice (of all kinds) and the stigma surrounding HIV hold no place in this world. We all have different hopes and dreams, fears and anxieties, but we are all the same. I urge everyone to go pick up a copy, and educate yourself.
This was such an enlightening read. The characters were adorable, and it was interesting to get insight into living with HIV from 3 different povs - someone who has just been diagnosed, someone who has been living with it for 3 years, and the third was dating the former, and freaked out when he found out his partner has HIV. Also all come from a background where all of their families reacted in different ways to them coming out.
Following these young men on their journey as their lives intertwined was such a joy - it was heartfelt and tender, and sometimes tense and heartbreaking.
It was a stunning debut - it was informative, well written and funny with a great set of characters, who had amazing support group of friends that everyone needs in their lives.
I rated it 4 stars, mainly because it felt kind of rushed towards the end, but I still enjoyed every minute of it. But other than that I can't really fault it much. I look forward to whatever books Lucas Rocha may write in the future.
This book is a reminder that hate and prejudice (of all kinds) and the stigma surrounding HIV hold no place in this world. We all have different hopes and dreams, fears and anxieties, but we are all the same. I urge everyone to go pick up a copy, and educate yourself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Chronic illness, and Bullying
blynecessity's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. This book is, like... good. Really, really good. I was worried it'd be too much of a romance or try to shoehorn the HIV in, but this was a freaking beautiful read.
I think part of what caught me off guard about this book was that there were three well-developed main characters, when I was expecting two of the POV characters to carry the one MC. Another nice thing is that there were lots of feelings, but this didn't feel like two-dimensional anger or frustration or romantic affection. And! Speaking of affection, there was so much platonic, fraternal, and parental love on display here, and it was well-executed.
I think seeing things from all three MCs' points of view was honestly an amazing (if risky) decision. The delivery of the info of medications and side effects, misconceptions and stigma would have been really clunky if it had all been delivered to one MC or at one time. Instead, this book showed that it was well-written, well-edited, and well-translated by pulling on my heartstrings without being cliche, and by introducing so may memorable characters in such a short book.
I think part of what caught me off guard about this book was that there were three well-developed main characters, when I was expecting two of the POV characters to carry the one MC. Another nice thing is that there were lots of feelings, but this didn't feel like two-dimensional anger or frustration or romantic affection. And! Speaking of affection, there was so much platonic, fraternal, and parental love on display here, and it was well-executed.
I think seeing things from all three MCs' points of view was honestly an amazing (if risky) decision. The delivery of the info of medications and side effects, misconceptions and stigma would have been really clunky if it had all been delivered to one MC or at one time. Instead, this book showed that it was well-written, well-edited, and well-translated by pulling on my heartstrings without being cliche, and by introducing so may memorable characters in such a short book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Homophobia
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
indrakir's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Hate crime
Moderate: Bullying
halfwaytoaugust's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
fear of HIV/aids, outing
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