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julia51's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
A queer, cozy, modern x-men AU featuring found family, an accidentally hilarious narrator, ace rep, and a bsf who reminds me of my own
averyavenue's review
4.0
what a fun intro to a series! I haven’t read a ya book in literal years but this was a fun choice to get back into the genre. Compelling characters, realistic action choices, cute little side romance. I can really see myself trying to track down the rest of this series bc who doesn’t like x-men themed content.
I don’t really think I even had much issue with the book in general. I’m not used to modern slang and topics being involved in the dialogues—like TikTok— but once I got used to it, it flowed pretty naturally.
I don’t really think I even had much issue with the book in general. I’m not used to modern slang and topics being involved in the dialogues—like TikTok— but once I got used to it, it flowed pretty naturally.
ameserole's review
4.0
Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride will most likely be the cutest book I will read over this weekend. I absolutely adored each and every character. Not sure if I have a favorite right now but I do have my eyes on a few possibilities. Will definitely have to get the next book because I need to know what's going to happen next.
chaso001's review
3.0
The beginning was a little slow but the characters were good and for the most part held my interest. Generally I feel like this book read like the author wrote a self insert x-men au fanfic.
hsinjulit's review
5.0
Content warnings: transphobia, homophobia, hate crime, racism, sexual assault (one off-page nonconsensual m/f kiss), bullying, violence, blood, death of... prominent object, death of minor characters, dismembering, earthquakes
Sometimes, I try to match the tone of my review to the voice of the book so that they give off similar vibes, but I could never achieve the level of joy this story brings. Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride is a very queer (reps: lesbian, pansexual, transgender, etc.) and very racially diverse (reps: Korean, Kiwi-Chinese, etc.) version of X-men that is incredibly funny, quirky, and ridiculously good. If you want an exciting and fun read, definitely check this out.
Dylan Taylor (~17, pansexual, grey-ace? kind of genderqueer?) is a loner at Brookside Girls’ High. She discovers her ability of talking to objects after kissing tech wiz Emma Hall (17, Kiwi-Chinese, demisexual?) at the latter’s seventeenth birthday party because of a game app, much to the displeasure of her boyfriend Lou Patterson (~17, trans). After encountering a freaked out Alyse Sefo (17, Pacifika) in the bathroom, a safe haven really, the pair decides to find the others Emma had also kissed that day, including Bianca Powell (~17). Together, they form Cute Mutants, a reminiscent of New Mutants in the X-Men comics Dylan loves so much. But there is still this powerful, hot ice queen Dani Kim (~17, Korean) who refuses to participate in their shenanigans. And also, an evil force (22) is on the loose, because what is a superhero drama without a villain?
First off, I love the snarky tone and the incorporation of internet slang in the narrative. They bring so much character to Dylan. Told in her first-person point of view, there are a lot of random inner dialogues that are oh-so-relatable, including her questioning whether she is merely hallucinating when conversing with objects. Despite the superhero aspect, many things in Mutant Pride are very realistic yet often not dealt with in books, and I love every bit of them. I love that Dylan’s “Parent” is shortened to Pear; I appreciate the unfortunate fact that Lou is a transguy stuck in a girls’ school, because this happens in real life when parents aren’t supportive. Throughout the story, some of the characters try to figure out their sexualities and gender identities, but these were never the focal points. There are a few comments about how Dylan feels that her body isn’t right and Emma trying to understand if she is ace. I think these will be explored more in the sequels. I also love how all their superpowers are basically the embodiments of their insecurities but powerful.
Mutant Pride also deals with a lot of in-group jealousy and the kind of hurtful language teenagers throw around. Most of the members are sort of morally gray and that makes the story even more thrilling. With an almost 100% queer cast, there is also at least one sapphic relationship blossoming in addition to an established one. The main developing romance is a sweet ice-queen, almost hate-to-love one and another is a potentially budding romance I inferred from context. I hope to see more of these sapphic lovers as well as well-handled relationship changes.
Since Dylan can talk to objects, her power also brings out her appreciation for previously inanimate things. These feelings are not explored in depth but play an important part in the story. The Cute Mutants are essentially a bunch of high school teens seeking belonging while fighting for justice, and apart from Pear, most of their parents seem to be highly negligent if not abusive toward their children. The gang is their found family, and who doesn’t love a wonderful found family story?
If you don’t like vulgar slang mixed in your book, this one isn’t for you, but you are definitely missing out. This book has its fair share of it and it works like charm. Everything is random and weird and so good. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or grinned so much while reading. Ever.
Whether or not you are familiar with X-Men, Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride is nerdy, hilarious, and incredibly entertaining. It ends on a slightly sketchy note but not exactly a cliffhanger. I will definitely be reading Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer, and I cannot wait.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Sometimes, I try to match the tone of my review to the voice of the book so that they give off similar vibes, but I could never achieve the level of joy this story brings. Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride is a very queer (reps: lesbian, pansexual, transgender, etc.) and very racially diverse (reps: Korean, Kiwi-Chinese, etc.) version of X-men that is incredibly funny, quirky, and ridiculously good. If you want an exciting and fun read, definitely check this out.
Dylan Taylor (~17, pansexual, grey-ace? kind of genderqueer?) is a loner at Brookside Girls’ High. She discovers her ability of talking to objects after kissing tech wiz Emma Hall (17, Kiwi-Chinese, demisexual?) at the latter’s seventeenth birthday party because of a game app, much to the displeasure of her boyfriend Lou Patterson (~17, trans). After encountering a freaked out Alyse Sefo (17, Pacifika) in the bathroom, a safe haven really, the pair decides to find the others Emma had also kissed that day, including Bianca Powell (~17). Together, they form Cute Mutants, a reminiscent of New Mutants in the X-Men comics Dylan loves so much. But there is still this powerful, hot ice queen Dani Kim (~17, Korean) who refuses to participate in their shenanigans. And also, an evil force (22) is on the loose, because what is a superhero drama without a villain?
First off, I love the snarky tone and the incorporation of internet slang in the narrative. They bring so much character to Dylan. Told in her first-person point of view, there are a lot of random inner dialogues that are oh-so-relatable, including her questioning whether she is merely hallucinating when conversing with objects. Despite the superhero aspect, many things in Mutant Pride are very realistic yet often not dealt with in books, and I love every bit of them. I love that Dylan’s “Parent” is shortened to Pear; I appreciate the unfortunate fact that Lou is a transguy stuck in a girls’ school, because this happens in real life when parents aren’t supportive. Throughout the story, some of the characters try to figure out their sexualities and gender identities, but these were never the focal points. There are a few comments about how Dylan feels that her body isn’t right and Emma trying to understand if she is ace. I think these will be explored more in the sequels. I also love how all their superpowers are basically the embodiments of their insecurities but powerful.
Mutant Pride also deals with a lot of in-group jealousy and the kind of hurtful language teenagers throw around. Most of the members are sort of morally gray and that makes the story even more thrilling. With an almost 100% queer cast, there is also at least one sapphic relationship blossoming in addition to an established one. The main developing romance is a sweet ice-queen, almost hate-to-love one and another is a potentially budding romance I inferred from context. I hope to see more of these sapphic lovers as well as well-handled relationship changes.
Since Dylan can talk to objects, her power also brings out her appreciation for previously inanimate things. These feelings are not explored in depth but play an important part in the story. The Cute Mutants are essentially a bunch of high school teens seeking belonging while fighting for justice, and apart from Pear, most of their parents seem to be highly negligent if not abusive toward their children. The gang is their found family, and who doesn’t love a wonderful found family story?
If you don’t like vulgar slang mixed in your book, this one isn’t for you, but you are definitely missing out. This book has its fair share of it and it works like charm. Everything is random and weird and so good. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed or grinned so much while reading. Ever.
Whether or not you are familiar with X-Men, Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride is nerdy, hilarious, and incredibly entertaining. It ends on a slightly sketchy note but not exactly a cliffhanger. I will definitely be reading Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer, and I cannot wait.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
shannonxo's review
5.0
I am obsessed with this!! This was very much the girl gang vibe of Birds of Prey meets X-Men, but only after Deadpool got a hold of them. It is a laugh-out-loud funny story that is so much fun to read from start to finish.
It is super diverse in terms of queer representation, and the girls in this will imprint themselves in your heart whether you want them to or not. *whispers* they're that persuasive. The superpowers they get are just so unique, but what makes them so entertaining is how they are used. I bow down to the author and their excellent mind, and look forward to the sequel!
It is super diverse in terms of queer representation, and the girls in this will imprint themselves in your heart whether you want them to or not. *whispers* they're that persuasive. The superpowers they get are just so unique, but what makes them so entertaining is how they are used. I bow down to the author and their excellent mind, and look forward to the sequel!
briavaz's review
3.0
I'll admit that I was drawn in with the amazing cover art. I had also assumed this was going to be a graphic novel, but once I found out it wasn't I was still excited to see what the story was about. I felt like I had to barrel through it because I knew that once I put this book down, I wouldn't want to pick it back up.
Don't get me wrong, it is a ⭐⭐⭐ read, I loved how the characters learned to be there for each other even though they all felt wildly different from the others, plus I'm always a sucker for found family & the casual rep of the LGBT+ is always welcomed.
The writing style was just really hard to get into. The inner monologue in Dylan's brain was redundant and the book could've been cut down about 100 pages (no lie) if all of the unnecessary repetition got cut out.
It's not a huge detail, but it really got to me at times.
I do think this book series is most likely great, however, I don't think the writing style is my cup of tea so I'll pass on the rest of the books. However, I'll probably keep it in mind for future recs to people I believe would appreciate it more than me.
Don't get me wrong, it is a ⭐⭐⭐ read, I loved how the characters learned to be there for each other even though they all felt wildly different from the others, plus I'm always a sucker for found family & the casual rep of the LGBT+ is always welcomed.
The writing style was just really hard to get into. The inner monologue in Dylan's brain was redundant and the book could've been cut down about 100 pages (no lie) if all of the unnecessary repetition got cut out.
Spoiler
Also, the main character, Dylan/"Chatterbox," was obsessed with calling everyone by their "codename" whenever they were out on a mission but constantly bounced between using their real names and code ones even when they weren't undercover. In Dylan's inner monologue, she would go between calling Lou by his name, then "Glowstick" just to immediately go back to Lou.I do think this book series is most likely great, however, I don't think the writing style is my cup of tea so I'll pass on the rest of the books. However, I'll probably keep it in mind for future recs to people I believe would appreciate it more than me.
rai_jpg's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0