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sweetrosegirl76's review against another edition
4.0
4-4.5! I really liked it! It's a pretty good book! I love the rep. Talks about body dysmorphia, eating disorders, gender identity. Body diversity. Idk if I'd reread it which is why I'm giving a 4. Maybe I would if I wanted to revist the gender identity discussion. It wasn't that prevalent in this book, I kinda hoped it would be bc I thought maybe it would help me with some questions I've been having lately but it didn't.
I like it, it's just harder for me to rate contemporary books higher bc even though that's all I'm reading lately, I don't really like contemporary
I like it, it's just harder for me to rate contemporary books higher bc even though that's all I'm reading lately, I don't really like contemporary
jsncnrd's review against another edition
4.0
4 / 4.5 -- This was such a fantastic story. I loved both Chase and Jack and found them to be realistic and truly human. We saw their good, their bad, and their ugly. I cared about both of them and spent a long portion of the book being completely uncertain as to what the ending of the book would be. There were excellent elements of fairytales that merged effortlessly with the other elements of the book.
The book was rooted in body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Those topics are very hard for a lot of people. But Steven Salvatore completely nailed it. It was explored with grace, delicacy, honesty, and compassion. The book gave us such an accurate depiction of body dysmorphia / ED's and dove into the thought processes behind it and how they seep into nearly every aspect of our lives.
There were some truly beautiful moments in the book that made me so happy. I also appreciated the raw, emotionally-charged (and sometimes NOT happy) moments that we got as well because it gave us so much character development.
Plus -- despite all the sweet moments we got, the book certainly didn’t sacrifice spice.
At times, I thought some of the dialogue was almost too “YaAsSs qUeEn”-y and it seemed a bit reductive to have that be an entire personality trait of queer characters. But otherwise, the characters were so much fun (i.e., Benny) that it didn’t make me love them any less.
SPOILERS BELOW
I was so happy with the ending that we got. It was satisfying (especially knowing how hard it was for Chase and Jack to get there), heartwarming, and true to the book’s title, because they lived. I would not mind another venture into the lives of Chase and Jack in the future to see what has happened since the ending of this book.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this read! I shed a few tears at certain points and had a giant smile on my face at other points. Steven Salvatore gave us peaks and valleys / highs and lows, and it made And They Lived …” a great book.
The book was rooted in body dysmorphia and eating disorders. Those topics are very hard for a lot of people. But Steven Salvatore completely nailed it. It was explored with grace, delicacy, honesty, and compassion. The book gave us such an accurate depiction of body dysmorphia / ED's and dove into the thought processes behind it and how they seep into nearly every aspect of our lives.
There were some truly beautiful moments in the book that made me so happy. I also appreciated the raw, emotionally-charged (and sometimes NOT happy) moments that we got as well because it gave us so much character development.
Plus -- despite all the sweet moments we got, the book certainly didn’t sacrifice spice.
At times, I thought some of the dialogue was almost too “YaAsSs qUeEn”-y and it seemed a bit reductive to have that be an entire personality trait of queer characters. But otherwise, the characters were so much fun (i.e., Benny) that it didn’t make me love them any less.
SPOILERS BELOW
I was so happy with the ending that we got. It was satisfying (especially knowing how hard it was for Chase and Jack to get there), heartwarming, and true to the book’s title, because they lived. I would not mind another venture into the lives of Chase and Jack in the future to see what has happened since the ending of this book.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this read! I shed a few tears at certain points and had a giant smile on my face at other points. Steven Salvatore gave us peaks and valleys / highs and lows, and it made And They Lived …” a great book.
awalsh10's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
purpleisgreat's review
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
talysalankil's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
I'm in this picture and I like it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
ravenk28's review
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? Yes
Tbh I’m not even finished with the book yet and I don’t think I will.
I was actually really excited to read this book as it was described to show a fat gay teen breaking out of the mould society but on them whilst also figuring out where they lie on the non-binary spectrum.
That being said I was not prepared for the way sex would be discussed in this. It kind of gave me the ick the way Benny’s toxic mindset about the topic was so normalised and encouraged by others.
And don’t get me started on the miscommunication trope that literally made me put the book down. Both MC are immature in there own way because they’re teenagers. But I just can’t get past Chase’s friend Benny and how when it came down to it he was more of an instigator than a help when everything went to shit for Chase
I was actually really excited to read this book as it was described to show a fat gay teen breaking out of the mould society but on them whilst also figuring out where they lie on the non-binary spectrum.
That being said I was not prepared for the way sex would be discussed in this. It kind of gave me the ick the way Benny’s toxic mindset about the topic was so normalised and encouraged by others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content
lac_a's review
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
craywisch's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0