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skye_era_books's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
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
4.5
What an amazing read about a transgender boy. The author did an amazing job at showing the challenges of being trans with religious, non-accepting parents and I could feel all of August’s emotions throughout the book. I also loved the theater aspect of this book. It fully took me back to high school drama club. Please check trigger warnings before reading and take care of yourself first and foremost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Self harm, and Transphobia
mystic_bookwyrm's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
3.75
I liked this book overall, but the thing I had trouble with was the way August was always acting a part…. Now it gets addressed later and it makes sense, I just didn’t feel like the author went about it quite the right way. A lot of times it didn’t feel like it was coming from a place of self preservation but of trying to get what he wanted from other people.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
cora_hreads's review
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Act Cool was a book that taught me a lot about the different parts of being a transgender actor; from trans/homophobic family members you still love to petty directors who want their fifteen minutes of fame regardless of who they hire. I feel that I came out of this reading with a lot more consideration and knowledge about how I can try and help the trans people around me, at least the best I can. I would recommend this for someone who wants to see what they can do to help others while still getting a good story over the course of the book.
The reason why Act Cool is only 3 stars is because the basic plotpoints weren’t as impactful as they could’ve been. Personally, I feel that this story was more plot-driven when it should’ve been character driven. Important scenes, like being with the Conversion cast and director and August confronting his parents, had a relatively large impact, but that was because it more directly related to the main character. At the Rocky Horror party, August leaving his friends and calling out Tess didn’t feel like August was caught between two worlds — professional vs. personal — but just petty and that the newfound fame from Conversion was getting to his head. I would’ve liked to see more sensory detail, especially when describing the boys’ dressing room, the auditorium where they performed Grease, and August’s hometown house. All of those locations were/are central to August’s character and the plot of Act Cool, and should’ve been put forth with more importance to match the intensity of the characters, emotions, or situation.
Overall, I give Act Cool 3/5 stars. It taught me a great deal about what transgender people may go through, which I will be forever grateful for. I only wish that there was more detail to fully immerse readers into the story.
The reason why Act Cool is only 3 stars is because the basic plotpoints weren’t as impactful as they could’ve been. Personally, I feel that this story was more plot-driven when it should’ve been character driven. Important scenes, like being with the Conversion cast and director and August confronting his parents, had a relatively large impact, but that was because it more directly related to the main character. At the Rocky Horror party, August leaving his friends and calling out Tess didn’t feel like August was caught between two worlds — professional vs. personal — but just petty and that the newfound fame from Conversion was getting to his head. I would’ve liked to see more sensory detail, especially when describing the boys’ dressing room, the auditorium where they performed Grease, and August’s hometown house. All of those locations were/are central to August’s character and the plot of Act Cool, and should’ve been put forth with more importance to match the intensity of the characters, emotions, or situation.
Overall, I give Act Cool 3/5 stars. It taught me a great deal about what transgender people may go through, which I will be forever grateful for. I only wish that there was more detail to fully immerse readers into the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
beca_reads's review
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I have so many feelings about this book, it's hard to put it into words. We follow August who has recently come out as Transgender to his family. Unfortunately his parents are not understanding, and results in his Aunt taking him under her wing and moving him to New York where he can attend performing Arts school. August has always wanted to perform on stage and this gives him the chance, though his parent's actions still control some of his decisions. August ends up putting on a persona that is not him, this honestly makes him quite a unlikeable character for most of the book but it is clear that deep down this is not the real August. We follow him as he works out the actor he wants to become, and the people he meets along the way that helps him. The book discuss transphobia within school, and the theatre, as well as discussing conversion therapy which his family want to put him into. This is not a light read at all and has trigger warnings for: transphobia, conversion therapy, homophobia, dead naming, and miss gendering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Deadnaming, Outing, Child abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Self harm
sunsetcity's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Grief, Homophobia, Infidelity, Outing, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
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