Reviews - Felix Ever After

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10.3k reviews for:

Felix Ever After

Kacen Callender

4.28 AVERAGE

rah's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

darias009's review against another edition

5.0

TW transphobia, (cyber) bullying, catfishing

Re-read (28.02.22):

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5)
I had a much better time re-reading (well, listening this time around) this book. Mostly because I could relate to it a lot more this time around bc I'm at a similar stage in my life, the whole art part of the book. And I came out (haha) of this book with an ot3 ship. Even tho I am still very much a Felix and Declan shipper bc we kinda got to see their relationship grow (even tho it wouldn't really be the healthiest, I guess), while Felix and Ezra had a couple of moments of cuddling there's less on page for me to really get involved enough. But since all three of them are or have been in love with each other, that might be a solution I could have accepted.
The half point point deduction is bc of the resolution of the who-dunnit and also a bit for Felix's fixation that Declan must have been the culprit which I was still not quite a fan from the beginning.

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Impressions first read through (26.06.21):
3 stars
This story had on the one hand good trans representation, on the other hand the love story and Felix himself was very much a dumpster fire.

Plot wise this sounded like the trans version of "Love, Simon". Even has similar themes with identity struggles (only gender identity, instead of sexuality), the hidden identity texting and the forceful outing from someone else. Plus a friends to lovers and enemies to lover plot lines. "Love, Simon" wasn't quite my cup of tea, but I had hope for this book - but it wasn't 'it' either.

I guess you could say this book is about love: the search for self love, platonic love, romantic love.

The good things first:
- The trans rep.
There were many things one can relate to, if you have been in the position to question your identity (also multiple times). For one figuring out you don't identify with your biological sex, for another what you are. I liked it that this book talked about that your gender identity/label can change multiple times. Been there, done that. I liked that it was talked about.

- Ezra. I liked Ezra because he was a really good, supportive friend to Felix. He's there to protect and help Felix
„Do you think you‘re worthy of respect and love? I think you are.“ (p.122)

The not so great things:
- Felix.
While I could relate to his experiences as a trans person and the struggles and re-questioning things. He himself as a character personality wise wasn't very sympathetic. After someone has publically dead-named him and exhibited photos of him pre-transition, he immediately fixated on someone and decides to find out a secret about that guy to get revenge and befriends him with a fake profile.

Spoiler

(turns out that guy was not the one doing it)

Normally I really like hidden identity in fiction but here it didn't work for me. Idk.
Also his reaction to the people around him, is often over the top or ungrateful. It didn't make it easier to like him as a character. I think that maybe Felix’ struggle for self-love reflects how he treats others.
And coming back to the theme of "love" - Felix goes on and on about how he wishes someone would love him, even tho two people do. And I was kinda glad he got called out for it. But then again, people always say, you can't love someone else, when you can't love yourself, so I guess, that was reflected here.

- The relationships
It was such a damn mess. Tho I would lie if I would say I wouldn't have shipped both ships at one point or another. (Even tho the enemies to lovers isn't healthy but shhh, I know).

- The plot holes

Spoiler

Declan not recognizing a) Felix' fake username "Lucky". I mean come on, that was very obvious. b) not having his number before. Ezra, Declan and Felix used to be friends, Ezra and Declan even dating. And you're telling me they didn't have each other's number? That seemed weird to me. I mean, maybe one of them got a new phone number in between or both of them deleted each others numbers after the end of Ezra and Declan's relationship but Idk, I'm someone who keeps phone numbers saved, so this kind of irritated me. c) the voice. These two eventually begin talking on the phone with each other. Felix might be whispering but Declan still not recognizing his voice? Come on.

- writing and pacing
I had some struggles in the first third of the book because the writing style wasn't quite right and the pacing was a bit off.

- The resolution of the "Who dunnit"
It was kinda disappointing and the reasoning why was weak, while also a bit unlogical. But I guess, some people aren't thinking straight when jealous but it didn't convince me.
Also it was a side character and the whole resolution was very rushed.

This book was kinda underwhelming for me. Idk.