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rainbowbookworm's review
2.0
Not enough roller derby... and the roller derby that is portrayed is nothing like what I have experienced in my roller derby league.
I want my review to stop there, but the truth is that I was underwhelmed by many things in this book including the fact that Day's therapist did not address her self-harm.
I want my review to stop there, but the truth is that I was underwhelmed by many things in this book including the fact that Day's therapist did not address her self-harm.
jenny_d's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Self harm
Moderate: Transphobia
alanaschulte's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Death of parent
ryannreidreads's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A YA roller derby story that isn’t “cute.”
This book is a dark depiction of grief and self injury and the journey to healthy outlets after severe loss. Daya is a jerk sometimes, but as someone who was a depressed teenager, her behavior makes sense.
I didn’t love the depiction of roller derby as a player of over a decade. It seemed the author understood the game but not the community and focused a lot on the tropes of a full contact sport (lots of how Daya behaves would have NEVER been considered ok) and the hyper-sexualized femininity associated with the image of the sport but not the reality. The other players and derby community having more depth would have really contributed to the growth arc of the book.
Overall a decent read that’s accessible and poignant for young adult audiences. If you love roller derby, check out Gabe Montesanti’s Brace for Impact for a more accurate depiction of the derby community.
This book is a dark depiction of grief and self injury and the journey to healthy outlets after severe loss. Daya is a jerk sometimes, but as someone who was a depressed teenager, her behavior makes sense.
I didn’t love the depiction of roller derby as a player of over a decade. It seemed the author understood the game but not the community and focused a lot on the tropes of a full contact sport (lots of how Daya behaves would have NEVER been considered ok) and the hyper-sexualized femininity associated with the image of the sport but not the reality. The other players and derby community having more depth would have really contributed to the growth arc of the book.
Overall a decent read that’s accessible and poignant for young adult audiences. If you love roller derby, check out Gabe Montesanti’s Brace for Impact for a more accurate depiction of the derby community.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Death of parent
neverfruitt's review against another edition
5.0
I've been in love with roller derby ever sense I saw my first match as a teen. This book made me feel a lot of the same things. I loved the characters and I felt their struggles. I tend to go into books without knowing anything about them and I did that here too.
I didn't know there was going to be so much talk about self harm because I just got it recommended as queer roller derby. I'm slightly glad I didn't because I tend to stay clear off everything depicting self harm but I didn't mind it in this book. I thought it made it clear it was harmful and why she did it without depicting it as a moral failing on her part or glorifying it.
I didn't know there was going to be so much talk about self harm because I just got it recommended as queer roller derby. I'm slightly glad I didn't because I tend to stay clear off everything depicting self harm but I didn't mind it in this book. I thought it made it clear it was harmful and why she did it without depicting it as a moral failing on her part or glorifying it.
lunaballz's review against another edition
4.0
Took a bit for me to get into it but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would at first. I thought Daya was really well written and I totally understood the tough exterior she forced out in order to protect herself.
LGBTQ+ Rep: MC is bi, there's lesbian, gay, and non-binary side characters; v. gay
LGBTQ+ Rep: MC is bi, there's lesbian, gay, and non-binary side characters; v. gay
bloodymoon13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
thereadingchallengechallenge's review
challenging
emotional
tense
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
4.0
An emotionally charged novel about a girl in pain and the ways she tries to break out of it, both beneficial and detrimental.
kian_annus's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
3.25