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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I did not care for the writing style.
For so long I didn't have any attachments in this book. I'm not a fan of the writing style, which could be a little bit affected by the fact I'm growing out of YA except for a few select authors, so I'd take that with a grain of salt. But to me, at times the writing made this book feel infuriating. The repeated catchphrases throughout, the (maybe?) overused amount of loose talking/dialogue, Jonathan's italicized imaginative moments (which were way more predominant in the first half rather than near the end), and... I don't know, it felt immature for what I like to read now. So I'm trying not to rate it on that, but that was my experience in that aspect.
The story itself? I only cared about Web for the longest time, I didn't really feel attached to Jonathan, and Jonathan's friendship with Starla felt pointless to me. This book has me conflicted, because it handles it's heavy topics well but something felt.... off, wrong. With plotting? With characters? With setting, maybe? I don't really know.
The near-ending of this book felt way better than the entire thing did. It almost makes me want to bump it to 4 stars but I think for me personally it's not worth that. We'll leave it at a shaky 3.5 stars.
I think it's a worthwhile read. It handles racism, specifically toward Native Americans, homophobia and internalized homophobia, and some conversion therapy rather well, I'd say. Again, I think the writing style occasionally takes away from the overall heavy impact of this, though.
I think this is mostly just an instance of this book not entirely being for me. 3 stars isn't a bad rating, so I'm just going to leave my review here.
The story itself? I only cared about Web for the longest time, I didn't really feel attached to Jonathan, and Jonathan's friendship with Starla felt pointless to me. This book has me conflicted, because it handles it's heavy topics well but something felt.... off, wrong. With plotting? With characters? With setting, maybe? I don't really know.
The near-ending of this book felt way better than the entire thing did. It almost makes me want to bump it to 4 stars but I think for me personally it's not worth that. We'll leave it at a shaky 3.5 stars.
I think it's a worthwhile read. It handles racism, specifically toward Native Americans, homophobia and internalized homophobia, and some conversion therapy rather well, I'd say. Again, I think the writing style occasionally takes away from the overall heavy impact of this, though.
I think this is mostly just an instance of this book not entirely being for me. 3 stars isn't a bad rating, so I'm just going to leave my review here.
Jesus.
Thoughts: https://roofbeamreader.com/2019/12/04/young-adult-potpourri/
Thoughts: https://roofbeamreader.com/2019/12/04/young-adult-potpourri/
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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:
No
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was intense, sad (yet funny), and beautiful. I think despite how much was accomplished and complete/ resolved (and by complete/ resolved, I don’t mean ‘all is well and good’ but ‘okay, that answers that’) I felt there were many other characters I wanted to hear from again. I just feel like there were abrupt ‘tie-offs’ to a few side characters.
I think the variety of reactions to Jonathan and Web’s stories allows most queer people to relate on some level but it is really interesting to view with the historical and cultural lenses which are more specific to the characters, location and time period.
I have recently come to love queer historical fiction and books like this are why.
I think the variety of reactions to Jonathan and Web’s stories allows most queer people to relate on some level but it is really interesting to view with the historical and cultural lenses which are more specific to the characters, location and time period.
I have recently come to love queer historical fiction and books like this are why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug use, Genocide, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Outing, Gaslighting, Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cultural appropriation
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Overall I thought this book was lovely but my Missourian ass is going to tie James Brandon to a chair and interrogate him about if he's ever BEEN to Missouri, much less St. Louis. Jesus CHRIST. First of all "redneck" is an Appalachian sterotype, second of all Missouri is extremely culturally split. KC and STL aren't The South, but the Ozarks are. And having spent a lot of time IN the Ozarks, the white trailer park characters in this book did Not feel true to life. Knocked off .25 stars for that, lol.
*Edit after reading the author's note:..................... Apparently he's from Saint Louis????? Baffling to me, honestly
*Edit after reading the author's note:..................... Apparently he's from Saint Louis????? Baffling to me, honestly