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jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked how dark this was and how complicated Vadar and Ellis both were. It’s kind of a mystery and kind of a romance but doesn’t quite fit into either. The driving factor in the story isn’t the romance or the mystery. The driving force in the story is about exploration of gender and sexuality. Can you love someone and can it transcend gender is the question asked. Elliot wake’s writing is beautiful and keeps me engaged the whole time.
fantasynovel's review against another edition
4.0
Am I the biggest idiot ever? I thought this book was YA when I put it on hold at the library! It's almost embarrassing to admit what I thought this book was. Okay, fine. What I THOUGHT this book was: A high school student named Vada (I got that part right!) is driving and gets into an accident. Her friend dies. For some reason, Vada becomes a Cam Girl who operates out her bedroom without the fam figuring it out (kind of like Brie Larson's character on United States of Tara). She falls in love with one of her clients, but he's creepy (obviously) and, I don't know, they meet in IRL and it's bad. I thought this book was one of those YA internet horror stories with a cam girl twist!
Luckily, the real book was much gayer. A car crash happens in circumstances Vada in't willing to tell the truth about. An innocent boy dies. Vada and her best friend Ellis (this is a "gal pal" situation, you guys) split up after the accident bc of Vada's internalized homophobia and inability to be with Ellis. Vada becomes a cam girl. Shit happens. And that shit is a LOT grittier than I thought it would be. I know, I know, glitter than a YA internet horror story?? You bet! And the gritty stuff is interesting. It's complex. It submerges you in these characters until you can barely breathe.
And it's also beautifully written. Okay, okay, it may get "purple prose-ish" in some places. But there are turns of phrase that left me actually gasping. And this is one case of an artistic narrator actually narrating as if she's an artist! I can't list how many books I've read where the main character is an artist but doesn't think about art unless she's actually painting. Vada's brain practically runs on art. She's constantly thinking about how she would paint something, what kind of art-style a scene looks like. Colors constantly filter through her brain. It's beautiful.
Cam Girl also tackles sexuality and gender identity, and I love it. Bisexuality is described as something real, not a phase or something that doesn't even warrant a name. I legit almost cried when ppl called themselves bisexual and didn't say any shit about "not liking labels".
Anyway, if you don't mind graphic sex scenes or tragic backstories, and if you want read a multi-layered gay romance, I'd pick this one up.
Luckily, the real book was much gayer. A car crash happens in circumstances Vada in't willing to tell the truth about. An innocent boy dies. Vada and her best friend Ellis (this is a "gal pal" situation, you guys) split up after the accident bc of Vada's internalized homophobia and inability to be with Ellis. Vada becomes a cam girl. Shit happens. And that shit is a LOT grittier than I thought it would be. I know, I know, glitter than a YA internet horror story?? You bet! And the gritty stuff is interesting. It's complex. It submerges you in these characters until you can barely breathe.
And it's also beautifully written. Okay, okay, it may get "purple prose-ish" in some places. But there are turns of phrase that left me actually gasping. And this is one case of an artistic narrator actually narrating as if she's an artist! I can't list how many books I've read where the main character is an artist but doesn't think about art unless she's actually painting. Vada's brain practically runs on art. She's constantly thinking about how she would paint something, what kind of art-style a scene looks like. Colors constantly filter through her brain. It's beautiful.
Cam Girl also tackles sexuality and gender identity, and I love it. Bisexuality is described as something real, not a phase or something that doesn't even warrant a name. I legit almost cried when ppl called themselves bisexual and didn't say any shit about "not liking labels".
Anyway, if you don't mind graphic sex scenes or tragic backstories, and if you want read a multi-layered gay romance, I'd pick this one up.
babs_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
First, I feel like it's necessary to state that my rating had nothing to do with the subject/content matter. It's a very controversial subject that is heavily seeded in current society. My opinions/views, or lack of, in regards to the subject do not reflect on my rating. The subject and the message it sends seems very personal to the author and I respect and admire that.
With that being said, my rating stands at 2.5-3.
The opening of the book wasn't a fit for me, I also don't think it meshed with the tone of the rest of the book. The writing was over the top. This happened several times throughout the book, it was overdone. It was like the author wanted something deeper but the execution was off.
I didn't connect with the main characters as well as I would have liked. In fact, I disliked Ellis from the very beginning and as the story unfolded I couldn't stand her. I lost a lot of respect for Vada in the end. There was so much more happening beyond lies and I couldn't fathom how she was able to sweep it away.
It wasn't a predictable story but I had a pretty good hunch of what was to come. Once again, execution was key and there were a few times the story dragged and others it sailed through parts that could have used some depth.
The message was a strong one. The whole book centered around the subject of who you are inside versus out and how to deal and cope with it. I think it's a great testament to how people struggle to be at peace with who they are. I commend the author for delivering the dilemma in a unique way.
With that being said, my rating stands at 2.5-3.
The opening of the book wasn't a fit for me, I also don't think it meshed with the tone of the rest of the book. The writing was over the top. This happened several times throughout the book, it was overdone. It was like the author wanted something deeper but the execution was off.
I didn't connect with the main characters as well as I would have liked. In fact, I disliked Ellis from the very beginning and as the story unfolded I couldn't stand her. I lost a lot of respect for Vada in the end. There was so much more happening beyond lies and I couldn't fathom how she was able to sweep it away.
It wasn't a predictable story but I had a pretty good hunch of what was to come. Once again, execution was key and there were a few times the story dragged and others it sailed through parts that could have used some depth.
The message was a strong one. The whole book centered around the subject of who you are inside versus out and how to deal and cope with it. I think it's a great testament to how people struggle to be at peace with who they are. I commend the author for delivering the dilemma in a unique way.
kaylareadsallthetime's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
ploppypooh's review against another edition
5.0
That was real rough. I think I need to go lay down now
nadiastanley's review against another edition
3.0
Deeply baby trans content of which I have remarkably mixed feelings around. Did I have fun? Yes. Would I recommend? Not sure.
biblioberry's review against another edition
5.0
welp i didn't think he could top black iris but...here we are
BAD BOY HERE I COME
BAD BOY HERE I COME
mikibooks's review against another edition
DNF
Se nota que es bueno y por qué me lo recomendó Karen, pero se parece mucho a la vida real y para depresiones y dramas que generan heridas incurables, me basta con la propia memoria. Así que lo dejo de leer, y queda sin puntaje. No sería justo.
Se nota que es bueno y por qué me lo recomendó Karen, pero se parece mucho a la vida real y para depresiones y dramas que generan heridas incurables, me basta con la propia memoria. Así que lo dejo de leer, y queda sin puntaje. No sería justo.