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careinthelibrary'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
3.5
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.
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
- 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
Graphic: Hate crime, Chronic illness, and Homophobia
Moderate: Medical content, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Minor: Blood
innastholiel'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
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: Alcohol, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Suicide, and Sexual content
laurenleigh'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
Graphic: Hate crime
Moderate: Blood and Homophobia
mezzano'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
Through telling the story with the perspective of three main characters, Where We Go From Here holds a level of nuance which is unmatched by other popular books surrounding HIV. All three characters are allowed to express their feelings, fears, and prejudices in order to grow into more understanding people. By having a person who has been living with HIV, a person recently diagnosed, and a character recently confirmed as HIV negative, Rocha masterfully touches on the sensitive aspects of HIV which is still largely taboo. A turning point in the story is when one of the character's says that the true curse of the disease is how society views an HIV positive person. HIV has become a manageable chronic condition, but people still reject the individual and treat their illness as a personal falling. This is seen through the heartbreak of one of the main characters.
Where there is heartbreak, there is also a deep sense of community. The comradery and support the characters have from others is uplifting. As characters learn to live with their new diagnosis, other characters serve as a support system to affirm positive messages. Characters are reminded that HIV is no longer a death sentence, and that with proper medical treatment a normal life is possible. There are details I learned about HIV that I have never learned in sexual education classes, like the fact that you can catch multiple strains of HIV. The fact that options for healthy and safe sex with HIV is discussed, such as explaining what undetectable status means and what PreP does, is so important to see in young adult literature. Knowing that there are options to practice safe sex with or without HIV is something that everyone should have some understanding of.
The only aspect of the book I wish had been better executed was the fact that many of the characters had the same voice, which made following along to each of the three perspectives difficult as I read the story as an audiobook. Had the voices been more distinct, this would have easily been a five star read for me.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Minor: Blood