Scan barcode
sducharme's review
2.0
Avery is a transgender boy whose close friend, Mary, has been murdered. Avery and his girlfriend try to uncover the details of the crime and become ensnared in solving it. Stiff dialogue and overwrought emotions give this a forced feel. Teenagers don't talk like this.
shinesalot's review
4.0
Look Past centers around the murder of a girl who is murdered because she supports her transgender friend, Avery (girl to boy). High intensity, graphic, and deals with a teen transitioning in an unreceptive community really well. Teen dialogue is true to form. Not my favorite book but I can see easily selling this to all readers - especially mystery fans.
mesy_mark's review
4.0
Avey is trans and that the reason why he is being targeted through the murder of someone he loved, Mary Matthison, is for the reason he needs to repent from his transgender condition. He needs to live as a girl again to prevent any more harm. It's graphic, gripping, and leaves you guessing to see which religious nut has committed the ultimate sin: murder (but do the flock think that's the case?)
What I liked about the book is that the main focus wasn't completely on the fact that Avery is trans. His gender identity does play a role in the plot line but the main focus was on the murder of Mary. I also liked the pacing and Avery character to an extent. He wasn't portrayed as the goody trans kid, he has some issues, mainly he harbors angry. Wheather that be at the town that hates him for his very identity save a select few or the beratement from the religious aspect of the town, Avery endures hate and transphobia. What I don't like was that Avery was violent towards people both who he loved and to jackasses..
It was also weird reading about the beginning of the book where we learn Avery is transgender. What I am describing is his prosthetic phallus (aka packer or in this case detachable dick) Unusual way to open up for a character and seems like that is something a little more on the private side of things unless it is explained that Oh, he saw my dick once and now he goes on about it. But I this case it is kinda just in the air.
Overall, I was enthralled with this bit if YA fiction.
What I liked about the book is that the main focus wasn't completely on the fact that Avery is trans. His gender identity does play a role in the plot line but the main focus was on the murder of Mary. I also liked the pacing and Avery character to an extent. He wasn't portrayed as the goody trans kid, he has some issues, mainly he harbors angry. Wheather that be at the town that hates him for his very identity save a select few or the beratement from the religious aspect of the town, Avery endures hate and transphobia. What I don't like was that Avery was violent towards people both who he loved and to jackasses..
It was also weird reading about the beginning of the book where we learn Avery is transgender. What I am describing is his prosthetic phallus (aka packer or in this case detachable dick) Unusual way to open up for a character and seems like that is something a little more on the private side of things unless it is explained that Oh, he saw my dick once and now he goes on about it. But I this case it is kinda just in the air.
Overall, I was enthralled with this bit if YA fiction.
sidneyellwood's review
4.0
So a disclaimer before I start this review: I am not trans, so please take my opinions on this book with a grain of salt. I don't know if trans reviewers have reviewed this, but definitely check out their opinions over mine.
I do think this book was quite good, though. While Avery being trans was undoubtedly a large part of the story, the whole plot could have been done with another issue in place. Because this isn't a book about being trans. It's a murder mystery first and foremost, and I think it was written rather well. I was on the edge of my seat reading and after reading this and Gone Girl, I really want to pick up more thrillers. Because this was tense and so atmospheric - it had the small, suffocating town feeling and as the novel went on and the stakes got higher it really felt like the entire town was closing in on Avery and his family.
Another positive: Avery's character. His voice was incredibly well-written and unique. He was also very fleshed out. Avery's incredibly caring towards a select amount of close family and friends. He wants to protect them. He has a lot of anger and he can be violent at times, even to the people he cares about - it's understandable, though, because Avery gets a lot of shit thrown at him both before and during the events of the story. Another thing I appreciated: he's not a saint or a mouthpiece for trans people and this book isn't didactic at all, which is a nice change from "issue novels" about trans teenagers. Avery's written on the antihero side of main characters.
I feel like Devine did his research with trans teenage boys, because I don't think that he used harmful language. Avery is comfortable and supported in his transition by his family and friends, and he's as comfortable with himself as he can be. The one part I feel that Devine could have done without that might be uncomfortable is
All in all: quite good and made me excited about thrillers.
I do think this book was quite good, though. While Avery being trans was undoubtedly a large part of the story, the whole plot could have been done with another issue in place. Because this isn't a book about being trans. It's a murder mystery first and foremost, and I think it was written rather well. I was on the edge of my seat reading and after reading this and Gone Girl, I really want to pick up more thrillers. Because this was tense and so atmospheric - it had the small, suffocating town feeling and as the novel went on and the stakes got higher it really felt like the entire town was closing in on Avery and his family.
Another positive: Avery's character. His voice was incredibly well-written and unique. He was also very fleshed out. Avery's incredibly caring towards a select amount of close family and friends. He wants to protect them. He has a lot of anger and he can be violent at times, even to the people he cares about - it's understandable, though, because Avery gets a lot of shit thrown at him both before and during the events of the story. Another thing I appreciated: he's not a saint or a mouthpiece for trans people and this book isn't didactic at all, which is a nice change from "issue novels" about trans teenagers. Avery's written on the antihero side of main characters.
I feel like Devine did his research with trans teenage boys, because I don't think that he used harmful language. Avery is comfortable and supported in his transition by his family and friends, and he's as comfortable with himself as he can be. The one part I feel that Devine could have done without that might be uncomfortable is
Spoiler
where Avery is forced to present as a girl for a morning. It's written as awful and something that shouldn't have been considered, but it's there when it could have been left out.All in all: quite good and made me excited about thrillers.
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
"There's a difference between tolerance and acceptance. "
This is a 3 star mystery wrapped in a well-done portrayal of a transgender kid in high school. This book gets an extra star just for doing such a good job of encompassing the awful side of high school.
I love that Avery is a fiery, fierce, reckless kid. That the murder fills him with horror and fear of the but the texts make him want to protect and provoke everyone. I hate what he goes through, I hate how much it broke my heart but I love that Avery was more than just transgender. He was complex and flawed and I love that he knew who he was - this was never about him transitioning but all about the murder and mystery.
But I had hoped the murder mystery would have more complexity than it did. Those filled with hate have a great ability to hide.
This is a 3 star mystery wrapped in a well-done portrayal of a transgender kid in high school. This book gets an extra star just for doing such a good job of encompassing the awful side of high school.
I love that Avery is a fiery, fierce, reckless kid. That the murder fills him with horror and fear of the but the texts make him want to protect and provoke everyone. I hate what he goes through, I hate how much it broke my heart but I love that Avery was more than just transgender. He was complex and flawed and I love that he knew who he was - this was never about him transitioning but all about the murder and mystery.
But I had hoped the murder mystery would have more complexity than it did. Those filled with hate have a great ability to hide.
abeeg05's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jtiljen's review
2.0
This book does great things with the topic of being a transgender teenager. Transitioning is not the main plot, but the difficulties that accompany it are present throughout. The main character is flawed and entirely human. If only the rest of the story was as good.
As a mystery it was disappointing. I had one of the killers pegged about 20% through the book and the other was obvious to me much sooner than it dawned on the investigators. I hate it when I can figure out “who done it”.
Overall I just did not enjoy this book. The motivation of the killers was just too far-fetched. Not to say that bigoted hate never leads to murder, but it’s usually heat of the moment not premeditated murder followed by dismemberment. And the portrayal of “the flock” was unrealistic. I don’t know any Christians who act like that. They’re cultish yet still rule the school. At least in my experience, the goody goody Christian kids in high school were not the popular kids. It did not feel true to me. But then I’ve never been a transgender person so perhaps this is an accurate representation of how they feel Christians are.
As a mystery it was disappointing. I had one of the killers pegged about 20% through the book and the other was obvious to me much sooner than it dawned on the investigators. I hate it when I can figure out “who done it”.
Overall I just did not enjoy this book. The motivation of the killers was just too far-fetched. Not to say that bigoted hate never leads to murder, but it’s usually heat of the moment not premeditated murder followed by dismemberment. And the portrayal of “the flock” was unrealistic. I don’t know any Christians who act like that. They’re cultish yet still rule the school. At least in my experience, the goody goody Christian kids in high school were not the popular kids. It did not feel true to me. But then I’ve never been a transgender person so perhaps this is an accurate representation of how they feel Christians are.
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: See No Evil, Speak No Evil...
Drinking Buddy: Yes
Testosterone Level: Creepy
Talky Talk: Real Life, Amped up a Notch
Bonus Factors: Awesome Family, Whodunnit
Bromance Status: Buds
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: See No Evil, Speak No Evil...
Drinking Buddy: Yes
Testosterone Level: Creepy
Talky Talk: Real Life, Amped up a Notch
Bonus Factors: Awesome Family, Whodunnit
Bromance Status: Buds
Read the full book report here.
fanboyriot's review
5.0
There was so much that happened and it was like a roller coaster of emotions the whole time. It was twisted and tragic, yet nicely written.
tyheronthorn's review
4.0
So a disclaimer before I start this review: I am not trans, so please take my opinions on this book with a grain of salt. I don't know if trans reviewers have reviewed this, but definitely check out their opinions over mine.
I do think this book was quite good, though. While Avery being trans was undoubtedly a large part of the story, the whole plot could have been done with another issue in place. Because this isn't a book about being trans. It's a murder mystery first and foremost, and I think it was written rather well. I was on the edge of my seat reading and after reading this and Gone Girl, I really want to pick up more thrillers. Because this was tense and so atmospheric - it had the small, suffocating town feeling and as the novel went on and the stakes got higher it really felt like the entire town was closing in on Avery and his family.
Another positive: Avery's character. His voice was incredibly well-written and unique. He was also very fleshed out. Avery's incredibly caring towards a select amount of close family and friends. He wants to protect them. He has a lot of anger and he can be violent at times, even to the people he cares about - it's understandable, though, because Avery gets a lot of shit thrown at him both before and during the events of the story. Another thing I appreciated: he's not a saint or a mouthpiece for trans people and this book isn't didactic at all, which is a nice change from "issue novels" about trans teenagers. Avery's written on the antihero side of main characters.
I feel like Devine did his research with trans teenage boys, because I don't think that he used harmful language. Avery is comfortable and supported in his transition by his family and friends, and he's as comfortable with himself as he can be. The one part I feel that Devine could have done without that might be uncomfortable is
All in all: quite good and made me excited about thrillers.
I do think this book was quite good, though. While Avery being trans was undoubtedly a large part of the story, the whole plot could have been done with another issue in place. Because this isn't a book about being trans. It's a murder mystery first and foremost, and I think it was written rather well. I was on the edge of my seat reading and after reading this and Gone Girl, I really want to pick up more thrillers. Because this was tense and so atmospheric - it had the small, suffocating town feeling and as the novel went on and the stakes got higher it really felt like the entire town was closing in on Avery and his family.
Another positive: Avery's character. His voice was incredibly well-written and unique. He was also very fleshed out. Avery's incredibly caring towards a select amount of close family and friends. He wants to protect them. He has a lot of anger and he can be violent at times, even to the people he cares about - it's understandable, though, because Avery gets a lot of shit thrown at him both before and during the events of the story. Another thing I appreciated: he's not a saint or a mouthpiece for trans people and this book isn't didactic at all, which is a nice change from "issue novels" about trans teenagers. Avery's written on the antihero side of main characters.
I feel like Devine did his research with trans teenage boys, because I don't think that he used harmful language. Avery is comfortable and supported in his transition by his family and friends, and he's as comfortable with himself as he can be. The one part I feel that Devine could have done without that might be uncomfortable is
Spoiler
where Avery is forced to present as a girl for a morning. It's written as awful and something that shouldn't have been considered, but it's there when it could have been left out.All in all: quite good and made me excited about thrillers.