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thenextbookdilemma's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
reading_srsly's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
* Fake Dating
* Queer love
* Culturally aware
* #Trends
What is a broken-hearted lifeguard to do when one of the merfolk on a mission to do some good in the world washes ashore during their shift? Take them out to eat, of course! This chance encounter sparks a journey of self-development for our leading men - one working through a breakup, one exploring the world, but both reflecting on the kind of person they want to be.
This lighthearted read highlights some of the best and craziest parts of the world in a way only someone who's lived their entire life underwater can experience. There was strong characterization throughout, and the author does a great job of building up the relationship between the characters, while also weaving in some heavier topics that help to ground the characters. There were some real eyebrow raisers if you think too hard about the logic of the plot, but the fun of just going along with the story more than makes up for it. There is a pretty significant amount of horny teenagers processing their emotions going on, so if you’re not in the mood for inconvenient boners and sex jokes between friends, this might not be the book for you.
If you’re looking for a more serious and intricately designed plot, you may want to keep looking for your next great read. But if you’re looking for an adorable, lighthearted LGBTQ+ coming of age story geared towards teen audiences, you’ll love Out of the Blue!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Mental illness and Infidelity
theaceofpages's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
3.5
"Labels everywhere and they all seem to be wrapped around genitals."
Firstly, yay for enby merfolk! DeFINitely one of the things that drew me in. I'm a little older than the target market for this, so please keep this in mind for my review.
Crest (ugh Ross) is forced to go ashore for a moon cycle so that they can become an elder merperson. They expect to hate every minute - humans are terrible after all. But they don't count on meeting Sean, a lifeguard, who shows them that humans can be good. They agree to help Sean get his boyfriend back as their selfless act so that they can return home at the end of the month, but as the fake dating trope goes, they end up falling in love. Crest then has to decide if they want to go back to the home they have always loved, or if they should stay on land with Sean, never to return to the mer world.
I have to agree with Crest. People are terrible. I know that drama is pretty typical of YA books (and this book is very YA - I don't mean that as a good thing or a bad thing but as a simple fact) but oh man, the characters were incredibly annoying. Is it accurate for their ages? Yeah, probably, but that doesn't change the fact that I ended up hating pretty much all of them. I did kind of like Crest (or at least disliked them less) but they too weren't the greatest. (sidenote: I liked the way they referred to people and didn't gender everything!)
That being said, this was a fun and easy read. Between being annoyed at everyone and the dragging middle I had a good time reading this. I think queer teens will enjoy this one! Just be prepared to be annoyed at everyone. And hey, queerphobes aren't really a thing in this book so if you are looking to escape that this would be a good choice.
Firstly, yay for enby merfolk! DeFINitely one of the things that drew me in. I'm a little older than the target market for this, so please keep this in mind for my review.
Crest (ugh Ross) is forced to go ashore for a moon cycle so that they can become an elder merperson. They expect to hate every minute - humans are terrible after all. But they don't count on meeting Sean, a lifeguard, who shows them that humans can be good. They agree to help Sean get his boyfriend back as their selfless act so that they can return home at the end of the month, but as the fake dating trope goes, they end up falling in love. Crest then has to decide if they want to go back to the home they have always loved, or if they should stay on land with Sean, never to return to the mer world.
I have to agree with Crest. People are terrible. I know that drama is pretty typical of YA books (and this book is very YA - I don't mean that as a good thing or a bad thing but as a simple fact) but oh man, the characters were incredibly annoying. Is it accurate for their ages? Yeah, probably, but that doesn't change the fact that I ended up hating pretty much all of them. I did kind of like Crest (or at least disliked them less) but they too weren't the greatest. (sidenote: I liked the way they referred to people and didn't gender everything!)
That being said, this was a fun and easy read. Between being annoyed at everyone and the dragging middle I had a good time reading this. I think queer teens will enjoy this one! Just be prepared to be annoyed at everyone. And hey, queerphobes aren't really a thing in this book so if you are looking to escape that this would be a good choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexual content
People assume Sean will be a bad swimmer because of his weightdallas_'s review
lighthearted
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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness
rdubs15's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.75
It’s a cute, lighthearted, easy read. I wanted something fun and light to break up my heavier reads and it worked perfectly. It’s tropey, it’s fun, and, as a filmmaker, Sean is aware of all the tropes and beats they’re hitting, which I found enjoyable. Also has a non-binary main character, we love to see it! I haven’t decided if I like the ending or not. On the one hand, it’s probably the most realistic end to a romcom like this (who is leaving their whole world behind forever at 16 for someone they’ve known for a month??? No one, that’s who!), but on the other hand those unrealistic endings are kind of what make romcoms fun. Eventually I’ll probably decide I like the ending, but dang it, I was rooting for those kids and I wish they could’ve ended up together!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Vomit
refrejarator's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
I was so excited to see a book with a nonbinary main character, and was not disappointed! The gay mer romance of the summer, and all summers to come!
Content Warnings
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Car accident, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Blood, and Body horror
All warnings are super mild and dealt with in a really great way, and personally found it to be very safe.mattyb's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Car accident, Cursing, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, and Vomit
always_sundae's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Body shaming, Transphobia, and Sexual content
kylielf's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
I really loved this book. I don't usually like the fake dating trope but I think that it made sense in the context of the story. The choices that the characters were making felt age-appropriate and worked in terms of the plot. I hated how <spolier> the characters don't end up together at the end, because I was really rooting for them . Despite this, still a fun, cheesy, happy book to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Mental illness
Minor: Car accident, Dysphoria, and Sexual content
evelynyle_88's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Holy crap!
I never knew I needed a book of merfolk that came out so perfect like this. Out Of The Blue was just a perfect light fantasy with a gentle touch of magic for me. This is perfect for me who love The Little Mermaid in general.
This book has a sweet and cute story (but with some heartfelt moment) that made me; who read it... cry. I just love Sean and Ross (a.k.a Crest). I love them so much equally. They're made for each other. A fantasy dream book of merfolk and brief their history for me.
Oh! And I love Kavya too.. also Elder Kelp! We can't forget about them and their wisefulness. Thank you for bringing this book to life, Jason. I appreciate you. Can't wait to read Jay's Gay Agenda as my other read for your book!
I never knew I needed a book of merfolk that came out so perfect like this. Out Of The Blue was just a perfect light fantasy with a gentle touch of magic for me. This is perfect for me who love The Little Mermaid in general.
This book has a sweet and cute story (but with some heartfelt moment) that made me; who read it... cry. I just love Sean and Ross (a.k.a Crest). I love them so much equally. They're made for each other. A fantasy dream book of merfolk and brief their history for me.
Oh! And I love Kavya too.. also Elder Kelp! We can't forget about them and their wisefulness. Thank you for bringing this book to life, Jason. I appreciate you. Can't wait to read Jay's Gay Agenda as my other read for your book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing, Car accident, and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Alcohol