You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
Strong character development:
Yes
Second book of #TRR2025
fast-paced
Holy miscommunication Batman.
If any of these characters let each other finish their sentences, half of the conflict would be resolved immediately - but also, they're teenagers and listening is a skill.
Reading in the acknowledgements that the author pitched this as Clueless but it follows Tai and also she's trans takes the story up a notch in retrospect.
If any of these characters let each other finish their sentences, half of the conflict would be resolved immediately - but also, they're teenagers and listening is a skill.
Reading in the acknowledgements that the author pitched this as Clueless but it follows Tai and also she's trans takes the story up a notch in retrospect.
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Some of the conversations about what it is to be a girl and expectations were spot on.
Might change my rating later, since I have some mixed feelings. Other reviews brought up a lot of excellent points of how this book is less-than-perfect. I particularly found the use of transphobia for plot and character development to be a bit tiresome after a while. For example, everytime a character's mistreatment of Phoebe was exposed, it was always because of transphobia or the characters would say transphobic things to hurt her.
But I did love reading about a trans girl MC coming into her own identity and power. I think the story touched on a lot of interesting topics that I appreciated seeing in a YA. In particular, the ways gender and gender presentation can be used as a shield and/or a weapon.
Gonna be reflecting on this one for a while, I think, and may come back later with more thoughts!
But I did love reading about a trans girl MC coming into her own identity and power. I think the story touched on a lot of interesting topics that I appreciated seeing in a YA. In particular, the ways gender and gender presentation can be used as a shield and/or a weapon.
Gonna be reflecting on this one for a while, I think, and may come back later with more thoughts!
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I wanted to like this, I really did, and I loved the art, and the loving, supportive Dad, but many things put me off from this graphic novel.
The constant use of the d-slur by straight girls, even if not exactly in a negative light (this is me giving the benefit of the doubt to these characters) made me uncomfortable, especially since it's never addressed or corrected. Then there's the extreme misogyny these young teenage girls perpetuate to fit in with the boys and get their attention as some form of power. There's the toxic friendship of Mackenzie and Phoebe, the controlling relationship with Ethan and the unaddressed physical abuse and outing by Ben while also using Phoebe to climb the social ladder. I found it weird how when Macca was transphobic, the whole student body turned on her. That was my believable at all.
The relationship (or absence of one) between Phoebe and her mother is never properly defined. So is the reason why Macca claims Ben is bad news.
Though I liked Macca's arc, her growth, her slur usage was not rebuked, her view on how to be a woman is never properly addressed. Phoebe felt lackluster, and yes, her arc was intentionally making her some lamb following any half-hearted Mary, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
All in all, disappointed and quite upset with how this turned out.
The constant use of the d-slur by straight girls, even if not exactly in a negative light (this is me giving the benefit of the doubt to these characters) made me uncomfortable, especially since it's never addressed or corrected. Then there's the extreme misogyny these young teenage girls perpetuate to fit in with the boys and get their attention as some form of power. There's the toxic friendship of Mackenzie and Phoebe, the controlling relationship with Ethan and the unaddressed physical abuse and outing by Ben while also using Phoebe to climb the social ladder. I found it weird how when Macca was transphobic, the whole student body turned on her. That was my believable at all.
The relationship (or absence of one) between Phoebe and her mother is never properly defined. So is the reason why Macca claims Ben is bad news.
Though I liked Macca's arc, her growth, her slur usage was not rebuked, her view on how to be a woman is never properly addressed. Phoebe felt lackluster, and yes, her arc was intentionally making her some lamb following any half-hearted Mary, but it rubbed me the wrong way.
All in all, disappointed and quite upset with how this turned out.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
Cute! There was some cringe transmisogyny that wasn't very self aware which just reflects on the cisness of the writer but thats just something ive come to expect... but i loved the complexity of all the characters and how the women had space to really work though their negotiations with their positionalities especially in their relationships with each other! I also love misandry! I hope phoebe can find actual queer friends to hang out with bc being/being around a cishet man enjoyer is very demoralizing...
I’m not going to give this an actual rating.
Echoing a lot of what other reviews have said: the art is pretty. The story felt a little clunky and the character relationships are quite messy within themselves. The repeated use of the d-slur was a surprise, especially when it’s consistently used in a derogatory manner with no other commentary. Overall, it wasn’t for me, but I hope there’s someone out there who does appreciate this graphic novel and is able to get something more from it.
Echoing a lot of what other reviews have said: the art is pretty. The story felt a little clunky and the character relationships are quite messy within themselves. The repeated use of the d-slur was a surprise, especially when it’s consistently used in a derogatory manner with no other commentary. Overall, it wasn’t for me, but I hope there’s someone out there who does appreciate this graphic novel and is able to get something more from it.