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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I feel like I would have ate this up more if I was a bit younger, but I still really enjoyed it and found it to be a fun read.
I really would have loved an epilogue that let you know where some of the side characters were going, because they all had interesting stories too!
I really would have loved an epilogue that let you know where some of the side characters were going, because they all had interesting stories too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia
Nima has just been rejected by the girl she has been crushing on for three years and is not looking forward to the uneventful summer ahead, when she finds herself at a drag show. She quickly makes friends with both drag kings and queens, and finds herself part of a vibrant queer community she didn’t know existed. One queen, Dee Dee becomes a person Nima can turn to through the ups and downs of the summer, including: a budding romance, fights with her best friend, dealing with a bully, and unexpected information about her mom, who walked out on the family a year and a half before.
I stumbled across this book just a few weeks after attending my first drag show, so it came at the perfect time! My favorite part of this book is the diversity represented in drag. Drag Kings are very important to the story, which is amazing because they are so rarely seen in media. There also is a MTF transgender Drag Queen, and another one who appears to be a cis het man (though most characters do not have an explicitly stated identity). The only downsides to the book was one very gross scene, and some strong second hand embarrassment in a few others. But overall, this is a very fun book that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in drag.
I stumbled across this book just a few weeks after attending my first drag show, so it came at the perfect time! My favorite part of this book is the diversity represented in drag. Drag Kings are very important to the story, which is amazing because they are so rarely seen in media. There also is a MTF transgender Drag Queen, and another one who appears to be a cis het man (though most characters do not have an explicitly stated identity). The only downsides to the book was one very gross scene, and some strong second hand embarrassment in a few others. But overall, this is a very fun book that I would recommend to anyone who has an interest in drag.
"Laugh at yourself. Laugh at others. Let them laugh at you. And dance, dance, dance like a goddamn fool."
What a great debut from Tanya Boteju! I loved the authenticity of this story, and I also just loved reading about drag kings - which I've never read about in a book before. I really enjoyed Nima's story, though, and the world of drag she found a home in.
What a great debut from Tanya Boteju! I loved the authenticity of this story, and I also just loved reading about drag kings - which I've never read about in a book before. I really enjoyed Nima's story, though, and the world of drag she found a home in.
this book brought me so much joy!!! nima was such a sweet and awkward character and i loved reading about her journey, learning more about drag culture and herself along the way.
i loved the love interest in this story, all of their interactions made me smile like a fool. i did have a small issue with nima being 17 and her love interest being described as (maybe) 21?? i would have liked some more clarification on their ages, it would have made me even more happy with the romance element.
i also LOVED nima’s dad so much, such a lovely old hippie who cared about her beyond belief.
a wonderful read!!! made me LOVE being gay even more than i already do sjsjsj
i loved the love interest in this story, all of their interactions made me smile like a fool. i did have a small issue with nima being 17 and her love interest being described as (maybe) 21?? i would have liked some more clarification on their ages, it would have made me even more happy with the romance element.
i also LOVED nima’s dad so much, such a lovely old hippie who cared about her beyond belief.
a wonderful read!!! made me LOVE being gay even more than i already do sjsjsj
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
the kind of book i wish i had read as a teen growing up. i could truly see my young self in nima's place. my closeted queer self would love exploring the world of drag! and also, who wouldn't want a friend just like deidre <3 a lasting impression and story. i know this one will stay with me and continue to inspire me to live my life to the fullest - 'time to boogie'!
A book of self discovery. I wasn't really feeling the MC but I liked all the other characters.
Very queer, gay and a coming of age story which stole my heart. I want my own Deirdre.
Okay, this was definitely a debut novel. Unless there is a sequel planned, there were a large number of plotlines left unfinished, and a lot of aspects of the characters that were never explained. Plus several incredibly unrealistic scenes, but they were often needed to advance the plot or the emotional experiences of the characters or the archetypes of said characters.
However, this book radiated such a huge sense of queer joy just the whole time. I loved everything about the protagonist's journey into the larger queer community, and discovering drag and her confidence and voice. (Plus Dierdre is my favorite mentor figure to ever appear in any book ever). Reading this book was such a pleasure, just from start to finish.
However, this book radiated such a huge sense of queer joy just the whole time. I loved everything about the protagonist's journey into the larger queer community, and discovering drag and her confidence and voice. (Plus Dierdre is my favorite mentor figure to ever appear in any book ever). Reading this book was such a pleasure, just from start to finish.