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jayisreading's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This was a pretty fast and somewhat mindless read for me. What was interesting was that this book put the conversation of HIV at the front and center, bringing to attention the stigma against it, the struggles that HIV positive people face, and the impact it has on day-to-day life. Another interesting thing that I liked about this book was it focused on modern-day Brazil. Following three young gay men (I believe the youngest was eighteen while the oldest was twenty-one), you learn a lot about HIV... maybe to the point that the book ends up reading more like an information booklet than an actual book.
Don’t get me wrong, I actually learned a lot more about HIV, but I also picked this book up with expectations that I’ll get a story of some kind. Yes, there was a story, but this definitely wasn’t a plot-driven book and focused more on delivering information about HIV to me. There was some interesting character development, though, to show how HIV personally impacted the protagonists, but it wasn’t anything revolutionary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Hate crime
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Sexual content
snowydaze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Absolutely loved it, it was very informative but also had strong character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Medical content, Outing, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol
aromarrie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia
adhdru's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Abandonment, Religious bigotry, and Homophobia
Moderate: Alcohol and Medical content
Minor: Transphobia
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
skelbea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Medical content, Outing, Religious bigotry, and Vomit
lennie_reads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
'But knowing is not the same as feeling. Knowing is not living without the fear that things might go wrong.'
I loved this book;
It's set in Brazil, has multiple POV, queer characters, HIV rep, romance, friendships and community.
We follow Ian, Henrique and Victor and their experience with HIV.
Ian is 18 and we meet him as he is being diagnosed as HIV positive. In the clinic at the same time is Victor, who is getting a test after a guy he was seeing, Henrique, told him he was HIV positive and Henrique who is 21 and has been living with HIV for a few years now.
This book is so wonderful and nuanced and I loved how we saw all their experiences and how they challenged prejudices and misconceptions, even from the characters themselves about HIV and how you can transmit it.
This book is also super informative about HIV in general but also how HIV is treated in Brazil, all the technical terms around HIV as well as side affects of the medicines. I learnt sooo much from this book. It really is a must read.
I loved these characters and their relationships with their friends and siblings were wonderful.
It's heavy at times and sometimes you don't always agree with the characters but it's a great read and the translation is fantastic.
My only issue was near the end when we meet Henrique's ex boyfriend. The reasons behind his actions made no sense to me other than to show prejudice and then how the queer community can band together afterwards.
CW: hiv prejudice, homophobia, transphobia, medicine
I loved this book;
It's set in Brazil, has multiple POV, queer characters, HIV rep, romance, friendships and community.
We follow Ian, Henrique and Victor and their experience with HIV.
Ian is 18 and we meet him as he is being diagnosed as HIV positive. In the clinic at the same time is Victor, who is getting a test after a guy he was seeing, Henrique, told him he was HIV positive and Henrique who is 21 and has been living with HIV for a few years now.
This book is so wonderful and nuanced and I loved how we saw all their experiences and how they challenged prejudices and misconceptions, even from the characters themselves about HIV and how you can transmit it.
This book is also super informative about HIV in general but also how HIV is treated in Brazil, all the technical terms around HIV as well as side affects of the medicines. I learnt sooo much from this book. It really is a must read.
I loved these characters and their relationships with their friends and siblings were wonderful.
It's heavy at times and sometimes you don't always agree with the characters but it's a great read and the translation is fantastic.
My only issue was near the end when we meet Henrique's ex boyfriend. The reasons behind his actions made no sense to me other than to show prejudice and then how the queer community can band together afterwards.
CW: hiv prejudice, homophobia, transphobia, medicine
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Medical content
regal_leaves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Medical content
thiscubed's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
so this review is probably going to be lacking bc depression is kicking my ass but I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audiobook and the narrators were fantastic. It was great to hear the names pronounced the way they would be in Portuguese instead of butchering them in my head. The story was also fantastic and while I knew most of the HIV information from a series of classes I took, it was still informative and I think this is a great book for young people (this is really new adult, not YA but alas publishing still refuses to acknowledge new adult as an age group) who are either dealing with HIV themselves or maybe have friends or partners with it. Honestly, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is interested.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content
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