Scan barcode
thekissballad's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I really liked this book and felt like I was experiencing the struggle and growth and self-acceptance along with Jonathan. It's a rough but beautiful journey.
I just didn't entirely like the writing style. All the 70's / hippy references and how the characters sometimes talked got on my nerves really quickly. The multiplewordsasonelongword and the onomatopoeia was way overdone and started to feel forced "for the vibes" instead of being an actual representation of the era.
I also disliked all the homophobic and racist language and actions, but understand it was needed to give an accurate representation of what Jonathan and Web would have gone through. Still don't have to like it, though.
Overall, I highly recommend as long as none of the content is triggering to you. Like I said, look up warnings before reading.
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
chrissssssss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia and Xenophobia
foreverinastory's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rep: white gay male MC, Native American (Oglala Lakota Nation) gay male love interest, Black biracial cishet female side character, a couple Native American (Oglala Lakota Nation) side characters.
CWs: bullying, homomisia/homophobia, racism, alcoholism, addiction, attempted sexual assault, racial slurs, violence, xenophobia, medical trauma, electroshock therapy, conversion therapy, hate crime, past mentions of police brutality and murder, death of parent, alcohol consumption, drug use, torture, child abuse. Moderate: consensual sexual content, pedophilia, colonisation, emotional abuse, misogyny, transmisia/transphobia.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Transphobia, and Colonisation
e_reader's review
- 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
5.0
In particular I found the conversion therapy and Web being Indigenous as central to the story and they definitely add to the book. Contrary to what some people said, I actually really like this meandering style of writing, it gives it a poetic tone. And the imagery is just fantastic, don’t skip over the details.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
lp0w3ll's review
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia and Xenophobia
atomiccwitchbooks's review
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia, and Medical trauma
truechamp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Pedophilia, Medical content, Death of parent, Outing, and Sexual harassment
mechu's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, and Alcohol
ollieshark's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the only thing i wish had been done differently or changed is that content warnings should probably be provided somewhere before chapter one starts. i had no idea what i was going into and i think my thoughts on the novel suffer a little as a result of being bombarded with johnathans's "treatments."
Graphic: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Hate crime
Minor: Pedophilia, Vomit, Police brutality, and Medical content
electroshock conversion therapy and its side effects are often mentioned, and a scene in which the main character endures an electroshock treatment is shown. lgbt+/gay slurs also show up on the page.