Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
2020
*3.5
- someone doesn't like the rolling stones
- i know too little about why it is a problem if non-own-voice authors write slurs in their books (in a way that the context obviously condems their use). i should probably educate myself about that
- i am, however, a little uncomfortable about a white author writing about native american (and even black) culture. maybe i am just a little too sensitive now or i am just scared of doing things wrong myself, because actually i think it is great to have this kind of representation
- the writing IS a little over the top in places but i actually don't mind too much
- the ending is strange and a little too much but overall ok
- i don't think the hal thing was necessary
- i loved how grey his father was as a character
- i didn't like the way the people at the trailor park were portrayed, as just lazy and violent. they had no depth to them, they were just bad people. which, sure, racism is bad and inexcusable and we do not have to talk about that, but they are still humans with motivations and problems and sorrows
all in all it seemed a little rough around the edges, but i mean it's a debut and would surely read the next book by this author
2023 correction: the author IS in fact native american, i dunno why i thought otherwise (in general but especially if it was based on looks it is of course very problematic and i am sorry!)
*3.5
- someone doesn't like the rolling stones
- i know too little about why it is a problem if non-own-voice authors write slurs in their books (in a way that the context obviously condems their use). i should probably educate myself about that
- i am, however, a little uncomfortable about a white author writing about native american (and even black) culture. maybe i am just a little too sensitive now or i am just scared of doing things wrong myself, because actually i think it is great to have this kind of representation
- the writing IS a little over the top in places but i actually don't mind too much
- the ending is strange and a little too much but overall ok
- i don't think the hal thing was necessary
- i loved how grey his father was as a character
- i didn't like the way the people at the trailor park were portrayed, as just lazy and violent. they had no depth to them, they were just bad people. which, sure, racism is bad and inexcusable and we do not have to talk about that, but they are still humans with motivations and problems and sorrows
all in all it seemed a little rough around the edges, but i mean it's a debut and would surely read the next book by this author
2023 correction: the author IS in fact native american, i dunno why i thought otherwise (in general but especially if it was based on looks it is of course very problematic and i am sorry!)
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
2.5 stars.
While the story of Ziggy, Stardust and Me was solid, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in large part due to the writing. This is a YA book, but the prose style felt very young and relied too heavily on ellipses, em dashes, and sound effects that didn't really work for me. I liked that we got a novel looking at things like the moon landing, the Watergate scandal, conversion therapy, and bringing awareness to the struggles of indigenous Americans, but the characters fell pretty flat for me. Beyond Jonathan, we don't get a good look inside characters like Starla or Web, or at least to the extent I was hoping for. I read a review where someone mentioned they thought this would have been a great graphic novel, and I'd have to agree: the visuals this novel offers would have translated better in a different medium.
Not so much a case of a bad book, more an issue of personal taste.
While the story of Ziggy, Stardust and Me was solid, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters in large part due to the writing. This is a YA book, but the prose style felt very young and relied too heavily on ellipses, em dashes, and sound effects that didn't really work for me. I liked that we got a novel looking at things like the moon landing, the Watergate scandal, conversion therapy, and bringing awareness to the struggles of indigenous Americans, but the characters fell pretty flat for me. Beyond Jonathan, we don't get a good look inside characters like Starla or Web, or at least to the extent I was hoping for. I read a review where someone mentioned they thought this would have been a great graphic novel, and I'd have to agree: the visuals this novel offers would have translated better in a different medium.
Not so much a case of a bad book, more an issue of personal taste.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault
The writing style in this book is abysmal.
I also feel uncomfortable that a white author wrote this, given the slurs and heavy racism explored in this novel.
I also feel uncomfortable that a white author wrote this, given the slurs and heavy racism explored in this novel.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
this book was moving and so so beautiful but the writing style slightly put me off (hence the 4 stars) - the overuse of ellipses was annoying and i didn't see why the author felt the need to add so many in
This book was amazing and heartbreaking and just the constant imagination and music was incredible. I loved the fact that a Native man was a love interest and the Native family in the midst of AIM era activism was done so well it was great to read. Highly recommend
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a good YA story about first love and finding yourself, set in the 70s at the time psychology said being gay was a mental illness and the struggles and treatments they did. I wouldn't say the ending leaves you fulfilled, there are a lot of open peices.