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jenmangler's review against another edition
3.0
This was really interesting and I learned a lot. It's a little info heavy and light on plot, but that didn't negatively affect my reading experience. That's probably because I had so much to learn about what it's like to be genderfluid.
lailisgrace's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
If you told me this was ghostwritten by 2016 BuzzFeed I'd just have to believe you
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Transphobia
snowy_owl_151's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
karrama's review against another edition
5.0
Pros: great writing
genderfluidity described well
characters you could care for
happy-inclusion with parents confused
Cons: falling on old tropes to cause the conclusion; trigger warning.
Riley is pretty awesome and determined to be as true to themselves as possible with a parent running for office and a new school because the Catholic school they were at before did not have uniforms that felt right and stayed right for external representing Riley. Riley makes friends and tries to be true but has a lot of self doubt and outside sensorship to deal with. Thank goodness for good friends.
genderfluidity described well
characters you could care for
happy-inclusion with parents confused
Cons: falling on old tropes to cause the conclusion; trigger warning.
Riley is pretty awesome and determined to be as true to themselves as possible with a parent running for office and a new school because the Catholic school they were at before did not have uniforms that felt right and stayed right for external representing Riley. Riley makes friends and tries to be true but has a lot of self doubt and outside sensorship to deal with. Thank goodness for good friends.
snazz07's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Outing, Dysphoria, Hate crime, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Transphobia
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Medical content, and Forced institutionalization
mehsi's review against another edition
I have decided to put this one in my DNF shelf for multiple reasons.
-Riley is the biggest reason. I just couldn't connect with that character, nor did I feel sorry about them that much. I know, their life is a big rollercoaster, but sorry, instead of feeling sorry for them I just was annoyed with them. Seeking deliberate provocation.
That blog was also one thing, I loved the things they wrote there. However, the way the went with commenting on people who asked questions that apparently to Riley weren't nice, or the way they commented on haters... I just was shaking my head. Yes, people are dicks at times, but no need to provoke them even further. Just delete the comment, and laugh about their silliness. Done.
I also didn't like how they were towards their parents. Yes, they have no clue about you, yes, they push you, but hey, if you never share any of what goes on in that head of you, then why are you so angry at times with them. Just be upfront with them. Maybe take that therapist of yours with you.
Also stop being so whiny/bratty. :|
-It read like an encyclopaedia/text book. I don't mind reading encyclopaedias at times, I love to do that, but if I am reading fiction I don't want an encyclopaedia as well in it. Information dump is nice, but is generally a reason why I am going to drop a book. There was just so much information on gender, gender fluidity and other stuff, and so little story. :| The whole story can be summed up to this: Riley wakes up > Riley's inner dial points to female or male > Riley dresses/acts accordingly > Riley goes to school > Is on the watch for anyone making comments > Seeks Bec > Studies > Blogs about genders > Comments on people > Has arguments with parents > Sleep > Repeat.
I really had to push myself to read this book, and halfway through I decided it wasn't my thing, I decided to just read another book.
-I think that after 2 books I read about gender/gender queer/fluidity, and both of them being not good, I am just going to step away from this topic. Until there is a book with a good story + some information + a likeable character. This book wasn't good, that other book was also not too good. And once again it was the character that was thinking about their gender that ruined the book for me. The side characters (in this case Bec and Solo) were great and I kept pushing to read the book because of them. Once again, as I also said in that review, I have nothing against people who are thinking about their gender, who are confused about it, who are wondering what they are. I am totally fine with everyone. But it seems the way they are written, the way the books are written is just not for me. Maybe one day I will find a book about this topic that I will love. I would love to find one. But for now? I am just going to skip the book if it is about gender problems/gender stuff.
-I also read on reviews there is going to be a rape scene/assault scene, and I am just not comfortable with those, so that is also a reason why I am just saying no to this book at this point.
Phew, I think I posted everything I wanted, all my thoughts and feelings on the book. It is a shame, this was one of the books I was really looking forward to this year, and it turned out to be a dud. So many friends loved it, so I was even more hopeful, but it seems it was not meant to be.
And again, I am fine with everyone being what they want to be. Just so no one comes to me calling me all kinds of names or saying I am discriminating. I am not. I am just not happy with how the books and characters are written.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
-Riley is the biggest reason. I just couldn't connect with that character, nor did I feel sorry about them that much. I know, their life is a big rollercoaster, but sorry, instead of feeling sorry for them I just was annoyed with them. Seeking deliberate provocation.
That blog was also one thing, I loved the things they wrote there. However, the way the went with commenting on people who asked questions that apparently to Riley weren't nice, or the way they commented on haters... I just was shaking my head. Yes, people are dicks at times, but no need to provoke them even further. Just delete the comment, and laugh about their silliness. Done.
I also didn't like how they were towards their parents. Yes, they have no clue about you, yes, they push you, but hey, if you never share any of what goes on in that head of you, then why are you so angry at times with them. Just be upfront with them. Maybe take that therapist of yours with you.
Also stop being so whiny/bratty. :|
-It read like an encyclopaedia/text book. I don't mind reading encyclopaedias at times, I love to do that, but if I am reading fiction I don't want an encyclopaedia as well in it. Information dump is nice, but is generally a reason why I am going to drop a book. There was just so much information on gender, gender fluidity and other stuff, and so little story. :| The whole story can be summed up to this: Riley wakes up > Riley's inner dial points to female or male > Riley dresses/acts accordingly > Riley goes to school > Is on the watch for anyone making comments > Seeks Bec > Studies > Blogs about genders > Comments on people > Has arguments with parents > Sleep > Repeat.
I really had to push myself to read this book, and halfway through I decided it wasn't my thing, I decided to just read another book.
-I think that after 2 books I read about gender/gender queer/fluidity, and both of them being not good, I am just going to step away from this topic. Until there is a book with a good story + some information + a likeable character. This book wasn't good, that other book was also not too good. And once again it was the character that was thinking about their gender that ruined the book for me. The side characters (in this case Bec and Solo) were great and I kept pushing to read the book because of them. Once again, as I also said in that review, I have nothing against people who are thinking about their gender, who are confused about it, who are wondering what they are. I am totally fine with everyone. But it seems the way they are written, the way the books are written is just not for me. Maybe one day I will find a book about this topic that I will love. I would love to find one. But for now? I am just going to skip the book if it is about gender problems/gender stuff.
-I also read on reviews there is going to be a rape scene/assault scene, and I am just not comfortable with those, so that is also a reason why I am just saying no to this book at this point.
Phew, I think I posted everything I wanted, all my thoughts and feelings on the book. It is a shame, this was one of the books I was really looking forward to this year, and it turned out to be a dud. So many friends loved it, so I was even more hopeful, but it seems it was not meant to be.
And again, I am fine with everyone being what they want to be. Just so no one comes to me calling me all kinds of names or saying I am discriminating. I am not. I am just not happy with how the books and characters are written.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
erdeannika's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
+ impressive for a not-own-voice book, really like the main characters, Riley's assigned gender isn't revealed which is nice
- I don't like it when words like "bipolar" are misused to describe a room aesthetic like it's done in the book, I would also have liked a detailed content warning because there's a lot of quite detailed violence described, I also think it's questionable if it's necessary for a YA book to contain these scenes at all
- I don't like it when words like "bipolar" are misused to describe a room aesthetic like it's done in the book, I would also have liked a detailed content warning because there's a lot of quite detailed violence described, I also think it's questionable if it's necessary for a YA book to contain these scenes at all
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness
mcwattsup's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.0
This was a great book to introduce the idea of gender fluidity to young audiences but I think since it’s been written, it doesn’t provide as much nuance to the topic as other materials might.
There also wasn’t much of a plot and I feel like there were a few loose ends with some characters. Overall a nice easy read but leaves more to be desired
There also wasn’t much of a plot and I feel like there were a few loose ends with some characters. Overall a nice easy read but leaves more to be desired
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Transphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
vagaybond's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I lack spoons for a review rn but want to give heads up that there is SA and suicide described on page, and suicidal impulse, hate crimes (a few), violent child abuse and transphobic murder of children, and generally other stuff that trans teenagers go through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, Emotional abuse, Dysphoria, Self harm, Mental illness, Grief, Violence, Stalking, Rape, Transphobia, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Outing, Child death, Sexual assault, Homophobia, Bullying, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
This is an important book. It is not often that you will find a story with a genderfluid main character, especially one this informative. Through the eyes of Riley, we get a great perspective of what it is like to be genderfluid and how gender identity is perceived in society.
Riley and their friends are unique characters with enjoyable personalities, and the writing was good.
This book is important for people of all genders; underrepresentation of less commonly known genders (such as gender fluidity) and sexuality in media and literature can often lead to misunderstandings and stereotypes. It is imperative to have accurate and sufficient representation of minorities, whether that be related to gender, sexuality, race, religion, etc., in order to develop a society of not only tolerance, but of compassion and understanding.
I also appreciated the fact that Riley's biological sex was never mentioned. It emphasizes that Riley isn't "actually a boy" or "actually a girl." They are genderfluid, and their biological sex is not something that we need to know in order to respect them for who they are.
Although I loved the characters and the insightful information about gender identity, the plot could have been improved. It wasn't very complex and didn't completely interest me, but I kept pushing through since it was well-written nonetheless.
Side note: There's a lot of music mentioned throughout this book, most of it being music I happen to love (props to Jeff Garvin for mentioning my absolute favorite band, Against Me!). Actually, while I was reading, I realized that I had made a Spotify playlist awhile ago that has some of the exact same songs mentioned. Enjoy - https://open.spotify.com/user/fathomlessfear/playlist/1mXhiMzC8LLmUprSR8uroJ
Riley and their friends are unique characters with enjoyable personalities, and the writing was good.
This book is important for people of all genders; underrepresentation of less commonly known genders (such as gender fluidity) and sexuality in media and literature can often lead to misunderstandings and stereotypes. It is imperative to have accurate and sufficient representation of minorities, whether that be related to gender, sexuality, race, religion, etc., in order to develop a society of not only tolerance, but of compassion and understanding.
I also appreciated the fact that Riley's biological sex was never mentioned. It emphasizes that Riley isn't "actually a boy" or "actually a girl." They are genderfluid, and their biological sex is not something that we need to know in order to respect them for who they are.
Although I loved the characters and the insightful information about gender identity, the plot could have been improved. It wasn't very complex and didn't completely interest me, but I kept pushing through since it was well-written nonetheless.
Side note: There's a lot of music mentioned throughout this book, most of it being music I happen to love (props to Jeff Garvin for mentioning my absolute favorite band, Against Me!). Actually, while I was reading, I realized that I had made a Spotify playlist awhile ago that has some of the exact same songs mentioned. Enjoy - https://open.spotify.com/user/fathomlessfear/playlist/1mXhiMzC8LLmUprSR8uroJ