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jamierose's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A very strong cast of characters make and carry this book, and though some of the issues (homophobia including internalised, child abuse/neglect) make for difficult reading at times, the overall tone is hopeful and full of love for this messy but trying so hard group of friends who become a family. As far as the romance element goes, I was rooting for them the whole time.
The lost star, unfortunately, is almost entirely for The Kid. As someone in recent possession of my own 9-year-old (plus siblings), I find that children in books are very rarely convincing, and the common tactic of making them precocious little geniuses is rarely as cute as it's supposed to be. I loved the brotherly dynamics between Bear and The Kid, and equally between the Kid and the wider group of friends, but there was no way any 9-year-old really talks like that and has that level of emotional maturity.
Despite the big part The Kid plays in the story, though, my irritation with his character didn't majorly detract from my enjoyment of the book and I'll definitely be continuing with the series & the author's other books.
The lost star, unfortunately, is almost entirely for The Kid. As someone in recent possession of my own 9-year-old (plus siblings), I find that children in books are very rarely convincing, and the common tactic of making them precocious little geniuses is rarely as cute as it's supposed to be. I loved the brotherly dynamics between Bear and The Kid, and equally between the Kid and the wider group of friends, but there was no way any 9-year-old really talks like that and has that level of emotional maturity.
Despite the big part The Kid plays in the story, though, my irritation with his character didn't majorly detract from my enjoyment of the book and I'll definitely be continuing with the series & the author's other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
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